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LIBRARY   OF   THE    UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA 


•HISTORY 


OF 


McDoNOUGH  COUNTY 


ILLINOIS, 


ITS   CITIES,  TOWNS   AND   VILLAGES, 


EARLY    REMINISCENCES.   PERSONAL   INCIDENTS   AND   ANECDOTES. 


AND   A   COMPLETE 


BUSINESS  DIKECTOEY  OF  THE  COUNTY. 


By  S.  J.  CLARKE. 


SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.: 

D.   W.    LUSK,    STATE    PRINTER    AXD    BINDER. 

1878. 


TO  THE  PIONEERS 

OP 

McDONOUGH  COUNTY, 

THIS  VOLUME  IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  now  two  years  since  I  conceived  the  idea  of  publishing  a  sketch  of  McDonough 
county,  for  that  was  all  really  intended.  The  first  to  whom  I  submitted  my  plan  was 
Hon.  Benjamin  R.  Hampton,  who  approved  the  same  as  far  as  it  went,  but  suggested  its 
enlargement,  and  referred  me  to  Hon.  James  M.  Campbell,  Hon.  Alexander  McLean, 
Joseph  E.  Wyne,and  others  for  their  opinion.  Each  one  encouraged  the  enterprise,  but 
with  the  suggestion  that  I  should  publish  not  only  a  short  sketch,  but  a  fall  and  complete 
history  of  the  county.  Prospectuses  of  the  proposed  publication  were  at  once  issued 
and  the  work  began.  In  order  to  test  the  enterprise  a  partial  canvass  of  the  city  of 
Macomb  was  made,  and  in  three  or  four  days'  time  two  hundred  subscribers  were 
secured,  and  I  was  thus  encouraged  to  continue  the  work  and  solicit  subscriptions  from 
those  living  in  other  towns  and  in  the  country. 

Of  the  magnitude  of  the  work  I  then  had  no  conception.  I  was  of  the  opinion  there 
were  yet  living  many  of  the  old  pioneers  from  whom  information  could  be  obtained 
without  difficulty;  but  in  this  I  was  greatly  mistaken.  Few  indeed  are  the  number 
dating  their  residence  in  the  county  previous  to  the  year  1830  ;  and  even  of  those  of 
from  one  to  five  years  later,  the  number  is  fast  becoming  perceptibly  less.  Since  the 
projection  of  this  work,  quite  a  number  have  been  called  to  their  long  homes,  of  whom 
we  now  recall  the  names  of  Hon.  James  Clarke,  Hon.  Cyrus  Walker,  Vandever  Banks, 
T.  J.  Penniiigton,  John  Clark,  David  Seybold,  John  Lane,  and  Larkin  C.  Bacon,  the  last 
mentioned  passing  away  while  the  work  was  in  the  hands  of  the  printer.  From  some 
of  these  we  expected  to  obtain  much  valuable  information,  and  had  single  interviews 
with  one  or  two.  with  the  promise  of  others ;  but  "  Man  proposes  and  God  disposes.  "* 
The  interviews  were  never  Lad.  and  now  their  lips  are  hushed  in  death,  and  no  more  will 
their  stories  of  pioneer  life  be  listened  to  with  interest  and  pleasure  by  those  gathering 
around  their  hospitable  firesides. 

The  author  has  labored  under  many  adverse  circumstances  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
work.  Without  a  dollar  in  his  pocket  or  to  his  credit,  without  material  assistance  of  any 
kind  from  any  source,  he  began  the  compilation  of  a  work  that  has  required  two  full 
years  to  complete. 


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4  PREFACE. 

As  previously  remarked,  the  difficulty  in  securing  information  was  far  greater  than  he 
anticipated  ;  especially  has  this  been  the  case  with  respect  to  dates.  In  order  to  learn 
the  dates  of  the  settlements  made  by  William  Carter  and*  William  Job,  several  weeks 
were  spent  in  visiting  and  interviewing  old  settlers,  besides  writing  many  letters  to  those 
who  had  formerly  lived  in  the  county  and  were  supposed  to  be  cognizant  of  the  facts  in 
the  case.  The  conclusions  arrived  at  are  satisfactory  to  his  mind,  and  will  be  to  the 
mind  of  any  who  will  take  the  same  trouble  to  obtain  the  knowledge.  The  same  care 
taken  to  learn  the  exact  time  in  which  the  settlements  mentioned  were  made,  has  been 
taken  to  verify  every  fact  given.  That  errors  may  creep  in,  however  guarded  one  may 
be,  cannot  be  doubted  ;  but  I  believe  they  will  be  few  and  far  between. 

Although  in  the  compilation  of  the  work  much  time  has  been  spent,  and  therefore  it 
has  been  quite  tedious,  yet  it  has  not  been  unmixed  with  pleasure.  Many  days  and 
nights  have  I  spent  in  listening  to  the  stories  of  the  old  pioneers ;  ever  hearing  some- 
thing new  ;  now  laughing  and  then  crying,  as  the  ludicrous  or  the  pathetic  was  narrated  ; 
and  then  in  the  study  of  the  character  of  our  fathers  and  those  of  the  present  genera- 
tion, time  with  me  has  slipped  quickly  away. 

And  now,  at  the  close  of  my  labors,  I  cannot  lay  down  my  pen  without  returning 
thanks  to  the  many  kind  friends  who  have  assisted  me  in  obtaining  information,  and 
have  encouraged  me  from  time  to  time  with  words  of  cheer ;  especially  would  I  remem- 
ber Hon.  James  M.  Campbell,  Hon.  Alexander  McLean,  I.  N.  Pearson,  Circuit  Clerk  ; 
Joseph  E.  Wyne,  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk  ;  A.  L.  Sparks,  County  Clerk ;  Hampton  &  Ham- 
line,  publishers  Macomb  Journal ;  Thomas  Fulkerson  and  Charles  B.  Hume,  all  of  whom 
have  placed  me  under  special  obligations.  I  would  also  not  forget  Rev.  B.  N.  Wiles,  of 
Macomb,  who,  by  his  advice  and  counsel  has  greatly  assisted  me, nor  Charles  C.  Chapman, 
who  has  been  a  co-laborer  with  me  in  the  work.  The  printing  is  from  the  office  of  D.  W. 
Lusk,  State  Printer,  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  great  credit  is  due  him  for  the  handsome 
typographical  appearance  of  the  book.  The  binding  is  from  the  same  establishment, 
and  superintended  by  George  E.  Boos,  the  excellent  foreman  of  the  bindery  department, 
who  is  entitled  to  thanks  for  the  faithful  manner  in  which  he  has  performed  his  part  of 
the  work. 

My  work  is  now  done,  and  it  is  presented  to  you  with  the  hope  that  it  may  please : 
that  its  errors  you  will  kindly  overlook,  and  that  you  will  be  well  repaid  in  its  perusal. 

Yours  truly. 

S..J.  CLARKE. 

MACOMB,  ILL.,  December  1,  1877. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

EARLY    SETTLEilENTS. 

First  Settlements— Home  of  the  Red  Men— Beautiful  Country— A  Prairie  Fire— A  Changed 
Scene— Boundaries  of  County  Defined  by  Act  of  the  Legislature— Timber  and  Prairie — 
First  Settlers— Sketch  of  the  Life  of  John  Baker— Macomb  Settlement— Flogging  In- 
dians—A Great  Hunt— Death  by  a  Deer— Organization  of  County— Meeting  of  County 
Commissioners— Various  Orders— Election  of  Magistrates— Names  of  Jurors  for  First 
Term  of  Circuit  Court— First  Treasurer— Eight  Hundred  Dollars  Bond— First  Term  of 
Circuit  Court— Taxes— Big  Snow— Description  of  same  by  James  Clarke,  Esq.— John 
Rogers— Hominy  as  a  Daily  Food— Dreary  Winter— Settlers  Generally  Cheerful— Only 
One  Marriage 17 — 26 


CHAPTER  II. 

1831. 

James  M.  Campbell— Appointment  to  Various  Offices— Taken  for  a  Yankee— Prejudice 
Against  this  Class — Economy  in  County  Affairs — Survey  of  Macomb — Would  Not  Work 
for  the  Two  Best  Lots  in  Town— Court  House— Tavern  License— Rates  Allowed  Land- 
lords—First Applicant  a  Preacher— Sale  of  Town  Lots  in  Macomb— Resignation  of  John 
Baker— Appointment  of  J.  M.  Campbell— Oath  of  Office— Mercantile  License  Required- 
Appointment  of  Commissioner  of  School  Lands— Second  Term  of  Court— Trial  of  David 
Morgan  for  Murder— Convicted— Verdict  Set  Aside  by  the  Judge,  and  Prisoner  Dis- 
charged—Indictment Against  Thomas  Morgan  for  Murder— Continuance  Granted— 
Escape  from  Schuyler  County  Jail— J.  W.  Brattle— County  Treasurer— Twelve  Marriages 
Carrying  Postoffice  in  His  Hat— First  Postmaster 27—22 


CHAPTER  IH. 

1832-34. 

Hard  Life  and  Poverty  of  Early  Settlers— "Millions  In  It"— Erection  of  a  Jail— A  Hard 
Kick— Strange  Order— Tax  on  Slaves— Is  McDonough  County  in  a  Free  State  ?— New 
Court  House— Awarding  the  Contracts— Completion  and  Occupancy— Years  of  Service— 
An  Incident— Expenses  of  County— Strange  Accounts— Black  Hawk  War— Company 
Formed  at  Macomb— Eighty-six  days  in  Service— Partial  List  of  Volunteers— Cold 
Weather— Frozen  to  Death....  ..  33— 33 


0  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    LOST    CHILD. 

Where  Is  Willie  ?— Anxiety  of  theiMother— Search  for  the  Wanderer— First  Night— Not  Yet 
Found— Help  Arriving— Second  Day's  Search— Discouragement  of  the  Searchers— An- 
other Night  of  Suspense— The  Mother's  Agony— Dangerous  Condition— Third  Night- 
No  Nearer  a  Solution  of  the  Question— Fourth  Day  of  the  Search— Searchers  Going 
Home— Determination  of  Others  to  Solve  the  Mystery— Hope— Disappointment— Foot 
Prints  Again  Discovered— Trail  Lost— Again  Discovered— Found— Capture— Nearly 
Wild— Father  Notified— The  Joyful  News  Broken  to  the  Mother— Restoration  of  the  Lost 
Child  to  His  Mother's  Arms— Reflections 

CHAPTER  V. 

MUBDEB   OF   JOHN    WILSON. 

The  McFaddens'— John  Wilson— Threats  made  by  McFaddens'  against  Wilson— Shooting  of 
Wilson— Coolness  of  the  Murderers— Their  Arrest— Excitement  of  the  People— Prelim- 
inary Examination— Committed  to  Jail  without  Bail— Trial  and  Execution  at  Rush- 
ville 46— a 

CHAPTER  VI. 

PEBSONAL   INCIDENTS   AND    ANECDOTES. 

Hospitality  of  Early  Settlers— Even  Book  Agents  Welcomed— Prejudice  Against  Yankees- 
Charles  R.  Hume— Visit  from  a  Neighbor— Ordered  to  Leave— Didn't  Go— Invitation  to 
Dine— Accepted  at  the  Point  of  a  Pistol— Talk  Over  Matters— Uncle  Billy  McKamy— 
How  He  Treated  a  Yankee— Neighborly  Act— Grimm  and  the  Lewistown  Lawyers- 
Possession  Nine  Points  in  the  Law— Neighbors  that  were  not  Neighborly— Determina- 
tion of  a  Young  Couple  to  Marry— Objection  by  Parents— The  Runaways-First  Night 
in  the  Woods — Arrival  at  Nauvoo — Embarassment  of  the  Bridegroom — "  Have  You  Got 
Any  Nails  ?  "—The  Knot  Tied— A  Marriage  That  Didn't  Occur  -Couldn't  Marry  an  Abo- 
litionist^The  Supper  Eaten  and  Guests  Dismissed— "  Not  Guilty"— "  But  I  Admonish 
You  Never  to  do  it  Again"— Guilty,  Yet  Not  Guilty— Swearing  in  Court— Killing  a 
Witch— Conviction  and  Death  Sentence  by  a  Justice  of  the  Peace—"  Bring  on  Your 
Rails  "—"The  whole  d— d  thing's  busted  up." 49— 57 

CHAPTER  VII. 

1834—38. 

Little  Required  For  Actual  Necessities— Fashionable  Society  Not  Introduced— Opening  New 
Roads— Why  Timber  Land  Was  First  Settled— Aid  Asked  of  State  to  Pay  Expenses  of  the 
McFaddens' Trial— Not  Granted— Thomas  Hayden  Allowed  $1.50  for  Hanging  McFad- 
dens—Paupers— Freeing  a  Slave— Hard  Times  Following  Panic  of  1837— Not  Felt  Until 
1838— Continued  For  Several  Years— Substitutes  For  Money— Sample  of  Prices— Richard 
Pennington's  Story— Nearest  Market— Selection  From  Ford's  History— Laws  of  Trade— 
Howa  modern  farmer  lost  his  money 58—65 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENTS. 

Carter's— Job's— Pennington's  Point— Camp  Creek— Macomb— Hillsgrove— Middletown 66—  75. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    MOEMONS. 

Population  of  County— Mormons— Sympathy  Enlisted— Description  of  the  Mormons— Their 
Religion— Conversion  of  George  Miller— A  Wonderful  Cure  by  "Laying  on  of  Hands"— 
Baptism  oi  Miller— Removal  to  Nauvoo— Election  of  1843— Cyrus  Walker— Mormons 


CONTENTS.  7 

Hold  the  Balance  of  Power— Peculiar  Ordinances  of  Nauvoo — Mormon  Justice— Deter- 
mination of  the  People  to  Effect  a  Change— The  Militia  Assemble  at  Carthage— Arri- 
val of  Qov.  Ford— A  Conference— Committee  sent  to  Nauvoo — Surrender  of  Joe  Smith 
and  Others— Joe  Smith  shown  to  the  Troops— Discharge  of  the  Volunteers— McDonough 
Troops  Return— The  Governor  Goes  to  Nauvoo— Killing  of  the  Prophet— Graphic  De- 
scription—End of  the  Murderers  not  Gained— Horse  Stealing— Mormons  Charged  with 
All  Kinds  of  Theft— Flogging  Mormons— Volunteers  for  Nauvoo— A  Battle— One  Killed, 
Several  Wounded— The  Mormons  Are  Sent  Over  the  River— List  of  Volunteers  From 
McDonough  in  1844 7&— 98 


CHAPTER  X. 

A    NEWSPAPEB   AND    A    HAILBOAD. 

Ke-organization  of  the  County— Last  Meeting  of  the  County  Commissioners— County  Court 
—Railroad  Agitation— A  Newspaper  in  Macomb— George  W.  Smith— His  Melancholy 
End— The  "Independent"  on  Railroads— Railroad  Meetings— County  Court  Petitioned 
to  Order  a  Vote  on  the  County  Taking  Stock  in  the  Proposed  Road— Order  Granted— 
Canvass  of  the  County— Opposition  to  Railroads— "What  a  Terrible  Thing  it  would  be" 
—Statement  that  One  Train  of  Cars  would  Carry  all  the  Surplus  Grain  and  Stock  Raised 
in  the  County  in  One  Year— How  is  it  Now— Railroads  and  Yankee  Thrift— Postpone- 
ment of  the  Vote— Further  Efforts— Vote  Taken— Carried— Prediction  of  the  Independ- 
ent More  than  Fulfilled— Another  Election  Called— Additional  Stock  Subscribed— First 
Appearance  of  the  Iron  Horse— Effect  on  Values 99—107 


CHAPTER    XI. 

HOME    LIFE   AND    AMUSEMENTS. 

Dwellings  of  Our  Fathers— Exterior  Description— People  Industrious— Children  Compelled 
to  Labor— Clothing  Worn— Home  Manufacture— Drudgery  of  Women— Influence  of  the 
Bible— Cultivation  of  Flax,  Cotton  and  Wool— The  Big  and  Little  Spinning  Wheels- 
Seasons  of  Fun— Quilting  Bees— Corn  Huskings— Apple  Parings— The  Little  Brown  Jug- 
Drinking  Universal — Hunting — House  Raising — Election  Days — Kind  Hearts — Neigh- 
borly Acts  and  Universal  Love 108—112 


CHAPTER  XII. 

VABIOUS     MATTERS. 

Murder  of  Jams  Dye — Coroner's  Inquest — Verdict  of  Jury — Arrest  of  Mrs.  Dye,  David  Bur- 
ress,  and  S.  P.  Ray — Commitment  to  Jail — Indictment  by  the  Grand  Jury — Ray  Dis- 
charged by  the  Court— Change  of  Venue  Taken  by  the  Other  Parties— Trial  of  Mrs. 
Dye  at  Lewiston— Able  Counsel  Employed— Convicted— Four  Years  in  the  Penitentiary- 
Pardoned  Before  Expiration  of  Term — Belief  in  her  Innocence — Death — Other  Rail- 
roads Projected— §50,000  Subscibed  in  Aid  of  R.  I.  &  A.  Railroad— Order  Made  by  Court 
to  Take  the  Vote  on  the  Adoption  or  Rejection  of  Township  Organization  Law— Propo- 
sition Carried— Commissioners  Appointed  to  Divide  the  County  Into  Townships— New 
Jail— Poorly  Constructed— An  Expense  to  the  County— Sale  of  the  Old  Jail  to  the  City 
of  Macomb— Last  Meeting  of  the  Court— Escape  of  Burress— Never  Secured 113—119 


CHAPTER 

DIVISION    OF   THE    COUNTY. 

County  Divided  Into  Sixteen  Townships— Names— First  Election— Changes  Since  Made — 
Historical  Sketches  of  the  Townships— Eldorado— Industry— New  Salem— Mound— Scot- 
land—Macomb— Walnut  Grove— Blandinsville-Chalmers— Prairie  City  and  Bushnell— 
Hire— Tennessee— Lamoine— Emmet— Bethel....  ....120—139 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

GEOLOGICAL. 

Geological  Information — Statistics — St.  Louis  Limestone — Keokuk  Limestone — Coal — Fire 
Clay — Iron  Ore — Building  Stone— Limestone  for  Lime — Sand  arid  Clay  for  Brick — Soil 
and  Agriculture 140 — 157 

CHAPTER  XV. 

TEMPEBANCE. 

Views  of  Early  Settlers  on  the  Temperance  Question— Pure  Whisky  Would  Make  the  Drunk 
Come— Washingtonian  Tidal  Wave— First  Temperance  Lecture  in  the  County— Diffi- 
culty in  Securing  a  .Chairman— Effect  of  the  Addresses— Sons  of  Temperance— Good 
Templars— Temple  of  Honor— Daughters  of  Temperance— Cadets  of  Temperance— Cold 
Water  Templars— Election  of  a  Temperance  Candidate  for  the  Legislature— Decrease  of 
Intemperance— Remarks 158—160 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

1857-1860. 

First  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors— Names  of  Members— Resume  of  the  Preced- 
ing Ten  Years— Speculative  Fever— High  Prices  of  Real  Estate— 1856— Nemaha  Valley 
Bank— Crash  of  1857— Failure  of  William  H.  Randolph  &  Co.— Public  and  Private  Im- 
provements Suspended  —  Depreciation  of  Values  — The  License  Question  — Saloon 
Keepeis  Imitate  Example  of  the  Importunate  Women  in  the  Scriptures— Reduction  of 
License— Poor  Farm  Ordered  Sold— Trouble  between  City  of  Macomb  and  County  on 
the  Pauper  Question— N.  C.  R.  R.  Bonds— Refusal  by  the  Board  to  pay  the  Coupons  in 
New  York— Suit  Brought  Against  the  County— County's  Counsel  Advises  the  Payment 
According kto  Contract— Resolutions  Asking  Relief  to  Taxpayers  -Low  Prices— Scarcity 
of  Gold— Various  Resolutions  Looking  to  Relief 161—166 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


THE    WAB AT     HOME. 

'Days  that  Tried  Men's  Souls."— McDonough  County  Politically— Natural  Sympathy  of 
many  with  the  South— Patriotism  Prevails— Love  for  the  Old  Flag— Bombardment  of 
Fort  Sumpter— How  the  News  was  Received  in  McDonough— The  County  Aroused— 
Quick  Response  to  the  Call  of  the  President— Meetings  held  Throughout  the  County- 
Specimen  Resolutions — Organization  of  Three  Companies  for  the  Sixteenth  Regiment 
—Their  Departure— "May  God  Bless  You."— Old  and  Young  Desire  to  Enlist— Battle 
Fields— Many  Vacant  Chairs  now  to  be  Seen— Sleeveless  Coats  now  Among  Us— Aid 
Societies  Formed— The  Women  Determined  to  do  their  Duty— The  Twenty-eighth  Regi- 
ment at  Shiloh— Flag  Presented  by  the  County  to  Company  "D."— One  Hundred  Dollars 
Appropriated  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  Sanitary  Purposes — Bad  News  from  the 
Field —Organization  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty— Party  Strife  Again  Running  High— Recruit- 
ing almost  Suspended — Hampton's  Resolutions — Voted  Down  —  Reid's  Resolutions 
Adopted — Resolutions  to  Encourage  and  Aid  Enlistments — Board  Refused  to  Adopt — 
Call  from  the  Government  for  More  Volunteers — Draft  Ordered — Appointment  of  Wm. 
H.  Randolph  Deputy  United  States  Marshal — Resolutions  Favorable  to  a  Bounty  Adopt- 
ed— Three  Hundred  Dollars  Bounty — L.  H.  Waters  and  others  Oppose  It — Amount  Ex- 
pended—Killing  of  Wm.  H.  Randolph,  Deputy  United  States  Marshall— Escape  of  the 
Murderers— Capture  of  Miles  Bond  by  Frank  E.  Fowler,  United  States  Detective— Trial 
at  Rushville— Acquittal— Arrest  oi  James  and  John  Bond— Trial  at  Macomb— Verdict 
Rendered  "Not  Guilty."— Great  Excitement— Fall  of  Richmond— Joy  of  the  People- 
Joy  Turned  into  Sorrow— Assassination  of  President  Lincoln— Close  of  the  Rebellion- 
Return  of  the  Boys  in  Blue— Thanks  be  to  the  Father  of  All 167—181 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE    WAB IN    THE     FIELD. 

Soldiers  Brave  and  Modest— Sixteenth  Regiment— Irish  Lovers— Ancestry— "  Architect  of 
the  Natural  Bridge  "—Dutch  Solomon  and  General  Pope— Stealing  their  Ammunition  — 
"Close  Up"— "Is  That  High  Enough  Massa"-- Model  Business  Letter— More  Compa- 
nies Raised— Company  H,  Second  Illinois  Cavalry— Twenty-Eighth  Regiment— Company 
L,  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry— Swearing  Soldier— Fifty-Fifth  Regiment— Company  C, Fifty- 
Ninth  Regiment — Sixty-Fourth  Regiment — John  Jacobs,  a  Prisoner — Claims  to  be  a  Con-  • 
federate  Spy — Borrows  a  Mule  and  Gun  from  Rebels — Captured  by  Union  Soldiers — About 
to  be  Hung  as  a  Rebel  Spy— Taken  to  Headquarters— Identified— Recovery  of  Mule  and 
Gun— Discipline— Give  the  Countersign—"  I'm  General  Gordon  Granger  "—"You  Can- 
not Pass  Here  "—Capture  of  a  Rebel  Flag— Seventy-Eighth  Regiment— One  Hundred 
and  Nineteenth  Regiment— One  Hundred  and  Twenty- Fourth  Regiment— One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-Seventh  Regiment— One  Hundred  and  Fifty-First  Regiment— Company  H, 
Second  Artillery— Company  B,  Tenth  Missouri— General  Summary— List  of  McDonough 
Soldiers— Residence— Date  of  Enlistment— Final  Disposition— Miscellaneous  List 182—241- 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

FIRST   IMPRESSIONS — MARKING  STOCK. 

What  Various  Individuals  Thought  of  McDonough  County— Stock  Marks.... 242—246 

CHAPTER    XX. 

NEW    COUBT    HOUSE    AND   JAIL. 

1868— Resolutions  in  Favor  of  Building— Condemnation  of  the  Old  Structure— Committee 
Appointed  to  Confer  with  the  City  Council  of  Macomb— Legislature  Petitioned— Taylor's 
Resolution— White's  Resolution— Refusal  to  Build  Unless  Macomb  Should  Donate  §20,000 
Additional  to  Their  Tax— City  Council  Refuses  to  Comply— N.  P.  Tinsley  Steps  in  the 
Breach— Agreement  Between  Macomb  and  the  County— Plans  Adopted— Contract 
Awarded— Cost— Description— List  of  All  County  Officers 247-256 

CHAPTER    XXI. 

OTHER  BAILBOADS. 

Rock  Island  and  Alton  Railroad— Aid  Granted— Southern  Outlet— Sale  of  the  Franchises  of 
the  Road— Tricks  of  the  New  Company— New  Lines  Adopted— Large  Subscriptions  Ob- 
tained—Demand for  County's  Subscription— Sold  Under  Mortgage— New  Company 
Formed— Again  Sold— Petition  to  the  County  Board  to  Vote  Subscription  to  H.,  M.  C..L. 
&  E.  Railroad.. : 257—259 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

NEWSPAPER    ENTERPRISES. 

"McDonough  Independent."— "Macomb  Journal."— "Prairie  City  Chronicle."— "Prairie 
Chief."— "Prairie  Chicken."— "Macomb  Ledger."— "Prairie  City  Herald."— "Bushuell 
Record."— "Western  Light."— "The  Macomb  Independent."— "The  Gleaner." 260-266 

CHAPTER  XXm. 

UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD. 

Question  of  Slavery— Organization  of  the  U.  G.  Railroad— Its  Mode  of  Operation— Route 
Through  the  County— Incidents— "What  am  I  ?"— Charley's  Thoughts— His  Escape- 
Arrival  at  Blazer's  station— Leaving— His  Return— In  Search  of  Wife  and  Children- 
Failure— Second  and  Third  Trip— Escape  with  Wife— Recapture  of  his  Wife— Charley's 
Escape— At  last  Successful  in  Getting  his  Wife  and  Children— A  Lively  Load  and  Lively 
Time— Six  Negroes— Start  for  Macomb— On  the  Wrong  Road— Charley  Recognized— Old 
Fashioned  Plantation  "Hoe  Down."— Betrayal  of  the  Negro  Preacher— Virginia  Home 


10  CONTENTS. 

—Death  of  His  Master— Removal— Promise  of  Freedom— Sending  Caesar  South— Warned 
by  a  Stranger— His  Escape— Given  a  Horse— On  the  Line  of  the  U.  G.  R.  R.— Failure  to 
Find  his  Wife— Train  Captured— David  Chrisman— Agent's  House  Watched— Feint- 
Attack— One  Captured— A  White  Negro— "G'wine  to  Jine  de  Yankee  Church"— Negro 
Tom— Escape— Fight  with  Bloodhounds— Arrival  at  Blazer's— Views  on  Religion—Pre- 
sence of  Mind— Dobbins'  Sou— Negro  Saved  by  a  Small  Boy— Going  to  Market— Lost- 
Directions  Given— Negroes  taken  from  the  Train  of  the  C.,  B.  and  Q.  R.  R.— Taken  to 
the  Hotel  by  City  Marshal— Remain  until  Made  Free  by  Proclamation  of  Abraham 
Lincoln 267-279 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

STONE     COAL CLAY. 

Coal— Extent— Average  Yield— Quality— Stone— Quality  and  Extent— McLean's  Statement 

Rowley's  Bank— Grindstones. ^. 280—282 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

M'DONOUGH   COUNTY   AGBICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

Organization— First  Fair— A  Success— Second  Exhibition— Lease  of  Grounds— Contrast 
Between  First  and  Present  Exhibition— Chandler's  White  Bull— Blooded  Stock— Time 
Required  for  Fair— Fortunate  in  Officers— Purchase  of  New  Grounds— First  and  only 
Failure,  which  was  no  Failure— Present  Officers— Stock  Association— Appeal 283—286 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

BLACK    LAWS. 

Early  Prejudice— Specimen  of  the  Black  Laws— Negroes  in  McDonough— Negro  Barber 
and  J.  M.  Campbell — Not  so  Bad  After  All — What  he  would  do  with  Bob-  Indictment 
against  Geo.  W.  Reid  for  Violation  of  the  Black  Laws 287—289 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

EE8OUECE8    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

Extent  of  Territory— Improved  Lands— Unimproved  Lands— Real  and  Personal  Property- 
Wheat— Corn— Oats— Other  Products— Rye  and  Barley— Buckwheat— Potatoes— Meadow 
Land— Pasture— Wood  Land— Horses— Cattle— Mules  and  Asses— Sheep— Swine— Orch- 
ards—Apples— Peaches— Pears  and  Plums— Cherries— Grapes— Small  Fruit— Carriages 
and  Wagons— Tables 290—300 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE   BAB    OF   M'DONOUGH   COUNTY. 

Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court— Richard  M.  Young,  James  H.  Ralston,  Peter  Lott,  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Norman  H.  Purple,  Wm.  A.  Minshall,  Pinkney  H.  Walker, 
John  S.  Bailey,  C.  L.  Higbee,  S.  P.  Shope -State's  Attorneys— Thomas  Ford,  Wm.  Rich- 
ardson, Henry  L.  Bryant,  Wm.  Elliot,  Robert  S.  Blackwell,  Calvin  A.  Warren,  John  S. 
Bailey,  Louis  H.  Waters,  Thomas  E.  Morgan,  L.  W.  James,  Crosby  F.  Wheat— Other 
Members  of  the  Bar— Cyrus  Walker— The  Present  Bar 301—312 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

BAILBOAD     BUSINESS. 

The  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.— What  it  Has  Done  for  the  County— T  ,  P.  &  W.— Its  Business— Tables 

of  Shipments  and  Receipts 313 — 3ij> 


CONTENTS.  1.1 

CHAPTER    XXX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Larkin  C.  Bacon— Major  Thomas  A.  Brooking— A.  V.  Brooking— Edgar  Bollcs— Alonzo  Barnes 
—James  M.  Campbell— Hon.  Thompson  Chandler— James  Clarke— David  Clarke— Charles 
Chandler— John  M.  Crabb—  Daniel  M.  Crabb— J.  B.  Cummings— B.  A.  Duncan,  M.  D.— 
Captain  S.  A.  Epperson — John  L.  Epperson — Thomas Fuikerson — John  D.  Hainline — W. 
H.  Hainline— William  Hamilton— Hon.  B.  R.  Hampton— Richard  D.  Hammond,  M.  D.— 
Dr.  John  Hardesty— William  C.  Hainline— Wesley  Harlan— George  Taylor  Harlan— 
Hon.  Humphrey  Horrabin— Hon.  John  Huston— Charles  R.  Hume— James  Irwin— Rev. 
Joseph  L.  Kirkpatrick 31fr— 38& 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 

POLITICAL. 

A  Doubtful  County — Party  Lines  were  not  Drawn  During  First  Ten  Years — No  Caucuses 
in  That  Time— 1840— Democratic  and  Whig  Parties  Held  Nominating  Con ventionp— Party 
Lines  Closely  Drawn— Hard  Cider— Whig  Celebration  at  Macomb  on  the  Fourth  of  July— 
What  Democrats  Said  of  It— Whigs  Victorious— 1841-42— Democrats  Triumphant  First 
Year  and  Whigs  the  Second— 1843— Cyrus  Walker  and  James  P.  Hoge— Endeavor  to  Se- 
the  Mormon  Vote— Trickery  of  Smith,  the  Mormon  Prophet— Walker  Defeated— 1844— 
Whigs  Again  Triumphant  in  August.but  Beaten  in  November— 1845-51— Various  Changes 
Occurred— 1852— Last  Campaign  of  the  Whigs  as  a  National  Party— Triumphant  in  this 
County— 1853— Democracy  Victorious— 1854— Waters  Carried  the  County  by  One  Vote—- 
Democrats Carrying  the  Rest  of  the  Ticket— Waters'  Election  Contested— His  Resigna- 
tion—Another Election  Held,  and  Waters  Again  Triumphant— 1855— No  Opposition  to 
the  Democracy— Republicans,  Americans  and  Democrats  in  Campaign  of  1856 — Democ- 
racy Ahead— The  American  Party  Gives  up  the  Ghost— Gains  in  the  Republican  Party 
in  1858— Light  Vote  in  1859— Campaign  of  1861— Republicans  Victorious— 1861-64— De- 
mocracy Victorious— 1865— Republicans  to  the  Front— Ditto  in  1866— Democrats  Elect 
County  Ticket  in  1867— U.  S.  Grant  carries  the  County  in  1868— Democracy  Ahead  the 
Following  Year— Ditto  in  1870— Considerable  Scratching— Grant  Ahead  in  1872— New 
Party  Ahead  in  1873—1874-76,  Republicans  Ahead— General  Remarks— Official  Vote  from 
1830  to  1876  inclusive „ 390—411 

CHAPTER  XXXn. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Progressive  Education— Early  Teaching— The  Three  R's— Few  Schools  in  the  Early  Time— 
The  Great  .Number  at  Present— The  Old  Log  School  House— Its  Furniture— Woodside's 
Agreement— School  Lands— Items  From  School  Statistics— M'Donough  College— Prairie 
City  Acadamy— M'Donough  Normal  and  Scientific  College— Macomb  Female  Seminary- 
Sketches  of  the  Various  District  Schools  of  Each  Township— School  Statistics 412—434 

CHAPTER  XXXHI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES   CONTINUED. 

Elder  John  Logan— William  F.  McCandles— Captain  J.  C.  McClellan— Hon.  Alexander  Mc- 
Lean—William C.  Mc-Leod— John  Mustain— William  D.  Mustain— A.  H.  McGahan— Rev. 
Josiah  Moore— Richard  Musson— Thomas  A.  Mustain— Hon.  William  H.  Neece— Abra- 
ham Newland,  Jr.  -Asa  K.  Owen— Isaac  N.  Pearson— Joseph  E.  Porter— Hon.  William 

Randolph — James  Roberts 435 — 481 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES    CONTINUED. 

Captain  James  W.  Fee— Harvey  L.  Ross— Joseph  Shannon— John  William  Siders— Benjamin 
.  Thompson— Elder  J.  L.  Towner— Roswell  Tyrrell— Captain  J.  B.  Venard— Captain  £>. 
P.  Wells— John  G.  Woodside— John  Wiley— Isaac  Weaver— Dr.  Beverly  R.  Westfall— 
Hon.  E.  K.  Westfall— Charles  Wilson— Hon.  C.  F.  Wheat— Major  Stephen  Yocum ..482— 526 


}2  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Influence  of  Christianity— The  Improvements  That  Follow  the  Teachings  of  the  Bible- 
First  Preaching  in  the  County-Elder  Logan-His  Labors  as  a  Preacher— Sketches.- 
Reyular  Baptists— Antioch.— CAmf tan— Blandinsville— Macomb— Bedford— New  Salem— 
Bushnell— Colchester-Sciota— New  Bedford.— IfefAodisf  Episcopal— Mucorob— Tennes- 
see—Friendship— Pdnuington's  Point— Bardolph-.Stickles--Blandinsville— Rock  Creek- 
Maple  Grove— Mound  Chapel— Pleasant  Grove  -Liberty— Prairie  City— Industry— Col- 
chester—Mound— Linn  Grove— Willow  Grove— New  Hope— Centennial— Greenwood— 
Adair— Second  Church,  Macomb ' 

CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

RELIGIOUS  CONTINUED. 

Presbyterian—  Macomb— Camp  Creek—  Shiloh— Prairie  City— Doddsville— Bushnell—  Good 
Hope— Ebenezer—  Cumberland  Presbyterian— Bersheba— Sugar  Creek— Good  Hope— In- 
dustry— West  Prairie—  Congregational— Prairie  City— Macomb— £ap^— Hillsborough— 
Macomb—  Prairie  City— Independent—  Cedar  Creek—  Tennessee—  Bushnell—  Sciota— 
Blandinsville— Second  Church,  Macomb—  Universalist— Macomb— Reformed— Bushnell— 
free  Will  Baptist— Prairie  City— Maple  Hill—  Catholic— Tennessee— Macomb—  Christian- 
Industry— German  Baptist— Bushnell  Arm  of  the  Church—  Un.ited  Brethren  in  Chrisi— 
Elm  Grove— Willow  Grove— New  Philadelphia— Jerusalem  Chapel— Blandinsville— 
Pleasant  Gale— Center  Chapel— Evangelical  Lutheran—  Macomb— Salem— Statistics 55i 

CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

REMINISCENCES. 

Recollections  of  John  Wilson— Salem  Woods'  Reminiscences— Silas  J.  Creel's— Robert  Dark's 
— Martha  Russell's — James  Jarvis' — J.  W.  Brattle's — Martitia  F.  Harris' — Sailing  on  the 
Prairie 58 1 

CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

PIONEERS. 

Old  Settlers'  Association— Constitution— List  of  Pioneers 59)1 

CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Streams  of  the  County— Crooked  Creek— Camp  Creek— Grindstone  Creek— Troublesome  Creek 
Spring  Creek— Other  Streams— Matrimonial  Statistics— Remarks— Table  of  Distances— 
Pauperism— Number  Admitted  to  the  Alms  House— Nativity— Other  Facts 

CHAPTER    XL. 

MACOMB. 

Retrospective— Organization  of  the  County— Selection  of  Site  for  County  Seat— Washington- 
Act  Locating  County  Seat— McComb  vs.  Macomb— County  Seat  to  be  Permanent— Sale 
of  Lots— Increase  in  Population— First  Store -The  Tavern— First  Plat  of  the  Town— Un- 
satisfactory—New  One— Keaton's  Survey— Brattle's  Survey— Court  Week— Effect  of  the 
Ardent— Circus  Shows— Town  Organization— First  School  House— First  Brick  Store- 
First  Church— Cholera  Epidemic— Incorporated  as  a  City— First  Board  of  Aldermen- 
City's  Credit— City's  Indebtedness— Improvements— Few  Fires— No  Tramps  Allowed— 
Improvements  Needed— Sanitary  Condition— Thirty  Miles  of  Streets— Expenses  of  the 
City— Assessments— Railroad— Public  Buildings— Opera  House— School  Houses-Mercan- 
tile Trade— Manufacture*— Public  Schools-Graded  System-Churches-Value—Mem- 
bership—Description of  School  Buildings— List  of  Town  Officers— List  of  City  Officers— 
"  A  Side  Glance  at  Macomb  "-City  Made  a  Supervisor's  District— List  of  Supervisors- 
Items  from  City  Directory— Business  Notices -Classified  Business  Directory 


CONTENTS.  .  1& 

CHAPTER   XLI. 

BIANDINSVLLLE. 

Location— Name—  "  Job's  Settlement  "—Additions— First  Dwelling— First  Store  Building- 
Mercantile  Trade— Merchants— Schools-Growth— Securing  the  T.,  P.  &  W.  R.  R.— Its 
Effects — Amount  of  Trade — Churches — Summary  of  Business  Firms — Business  Direc- 
tory  637—641 

CHAPTER   XLII. 

INDUSTBY DODD3VILLE MIDDLETOWN. 

Proposition  to  J.  M.  Price— Shop  Erected— First  Post  Office— Price's  Recollection— First 
Store — First  Physician— First  Survey — Name  and  Nickname — Growth — Organization  as  a 
Town— First  Town  Board— Organization  as  a  Village— Its  Character— Schools— Churches- 
Man  u  factories — Distance  from  Railroad — Trustees — Summary  of  Business  Firms — Busi- 

i'ireetory—  Doddsville— Town  Laid  Out— Location— Directory— Middietowii 642—646 

CHAPTER    XLIII. 

PRAIBIE    CITY. 

ion— When  Laid  Out— First  Store— First  Building— First  Preacher— Size  of  the  Original 
Town— Distance  from  Macomb  and  Chicago— First  School  Building— Barnes'  and  Par- 
ker's Addition — Incorporated  as  a  Town — Officers  Elected — Newspaper — Growth  of  the 
Town — Prairie  City  Academy — Schools — Churches — Petition  to  the  Town  Board — Ceme- 
teries—Village Organization— First  Board— First  Resolution— List  of  Town  Officers— Prai- 
rie City  Chronicle — Amount  of  Business  Transacted — Business  Notices — Business  Direc- 
tory  (V17- 655 

CHAPTER    XLIV. 

BUSHNELL. 

Location— Survey— First  Sale  of  Lots— Town  Named— Wolf  Pole— Trackless  Prairie — Hen- 
dricksoH  Lost— Found— First  Store  Building— First  Stock  01  Goods— First  Dwellings- 
First  Hotel— Prosperity  of  the  Town— Liberality  of  the  Original  Proprietors— Failures- 
New  Railroad— Manufactories— Improvements— New  School  Building— Summary  -of 
Business  Firms— Amount  of  Business—Public  Library— Organization  as  a  City— Election, 
Officers  Elected —List  of  Officers— Classified  Business  Directory f«6— 667 

CHAPTER    XLV. 

BAEDOLPH. 

Town  Laid  Out— Location— Name— First  Dwelling— First  Store— Growth  of  the  place— Price 
of  Lots— First  School  House— Incorporated  as  a  Town— Trustees— Incorporated  as  a  Vil- 
lage—Cause for  the  Change— Trustees— Temperance  Town— School— Cemetery— Ship- 
ments to  and  from  the  Town— Business  Notices— Business  Directory 

CHAPTER   XLVI. 

COLCHESTEB TENNESSEE HIXX.*S    GKOVE    AND    COLMAB. 

Colchester— Land  Surveyed— Name— First  House— First  Stock  of  Groceries— Hotel— Fir- 1 
Stock  of  Dry  Goods— Additions— Prosperity  of  the  Place— Incorporated  as  a  Town— 
The  Natural  Advantages  of  Colchester— Coal  Interests— Roberts'  Mines— Quincy  Coal 
< 'ompany— Colchester  Coal  Company— Their  Immense  Business— Shipments  and  Re- 
ceipts—Schools— Churches— License  Question— List  of  Town  Officers— Mercantile  Trade 
—Business  Notices— Business  Directory—  Tennessee— Town  Laid  Out— Location— Size  of 
Lots— Value— Incorporated  as  a  Town— Names  of  Members  of  the  Various  Boards  of 
Trustees — Clerks — Churches — Schools — Calaboose— Shipments  and  Receipts  by  Rail — 
Business  Directory — Hill's  Grove — Laid  Out — Location — Surrounding  Country — Business 
Directory—  Colmar— Location— Size  of  Plat— Growth  of  the  Place— Shipment  and  Re- 
ceipts by  Railroad— Business  Directory 677— SXti 


14  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XLVII. 

SCIOTA GOOD    HOPE — ADAIB — NEW    PHILADELPHIA WALNUT    OBOVE    AND    SCOTTSBUBG. 

Sdota— First  Name- Location— Surrounding  Country— Additions— First  Stone  Building- 
First  Store— Incorporated— Trustees  —First  Sermon— First  School— Churches— Prosperity 
of  the  Town— Great  Grain  Market~Mercantile  Trade— Business  Notices— Shipments 
by  Railroad— Business  Directory—  Oood  Hope— Rivalry  Between  Towns— Town  of  Sher- 
idan—Town of  Milan— Post  Office  of  Good  Hope— Town  named  Good  Hope— First 
Store— First  Dwelling— Old  Post  Office— Incorporated  as  a  Town— Incorporated  as  a  Vil- 
lage—Trustees— Prosperity— General  Character  of  the  Town— First  Sermon— Schools- 
Churches— Amount  Shipped  by  Railroad— Business  Notices— Business  Directory— Adair 
—Laid  Out— Location— Amount  of  Stock  and  Grain  Shipped— First  Business  House- 
Population— Business  Directory— New  Philadelphia— Location— Old  Plat— New  Survey- 
Name— Directory—  Walnut  Grove— Location— Business  Directory— Scottsburg— Location- 
Shipment  of  FireClay 687—69! 


CHAPTER  I. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT — ORGANIZATION. 

The  first  settlement  of  McDonough  county  of  which  we  have 
record  was  in  the  spring  of  1826.  Previous  to  this  time  the  county 
was  in  a  state  of  unbroken  wildness,  the  home  of  red  men,  who 
roamed  at  will  over  its  broad  prairies,  engaged  in  occupations 
peculiar  to  their  race.  No  one,  save  the  old  settler,  or  one  who 
has  visited  the  far  West,  can  fully  realize  the  beauty  of  the  coun- 
try at  that  time.  Dividing  the  county  centrally  north  and  south, 
we  had  upon  the  east  a  broad  prairie  extending  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  the  tall  grass  gently  undulating  like  the  waves  of  the 
sea,  while  upon  the  west  the  giant  oak,  the  stately  ehn,  and  the 
useful  hickory  seemingly  pierced  the  very  heavens,  and  stood  as 
faithful  sentinels  over  their  entire  surroundings.  No  fallen  tim- 
ber or  undergrowth  of  any  kind  obstructed  the  passage,  the  annual 
prairie  fire  making  a  clean  path  for  all.  A  prairie  on  fire  !  Have 
you  ever  witnessed  one?  The  sight  is  a  magnificent  one  indeed. 
A  correspondent  of  tne  Philadelphia  Enquirer,  on  a  visit  to  this 
State  in  1837,  while  traveling  up  the  Mississippi,  described  in  glow- 
ing terms  the  scenery  on  that  grand  old  stream,  and  thus  graphic- 
ally sketched  a  prairie  on  fire  : 

"  Whilst  enjoying  the  sublimity  of  the  scene,  night  threw  her 
mantle  o'er  the  earth,  and  the  sentinel  stars  set  their  watch  in  the 
skies,  when  suddenly  the  scene  was  lighted  by  a  blaze  of  light 
illuminating  every  object  around.  It  was  the  prairie  on  fire.  Lan- 
guage cannot  convey,  words  cannot  express  to  you  the  faintest  idea 
of  the  grandeur  and  splendor  of  that  mighty  conflagration.  Me- 
thought  that  the  pale  Queen  of  Night,  disclaiming  to  take  her  ac- 
customed place  in  the  heavens,  had  dispatched  ten  thousand 
messengers  to  light  their  torches  at  the  altar  of  the  setting  sun,  and 
that  now  they  were  speeding  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  to  their 
H— 2 


18 

appointed  stations.  As  I  gazed  on  that  mighty  conflagration  my 
thoughts  recurred  to  you,  immured  in  the  walls  of  a  city,  and  I 
exclaimed  in  the  fullness  of  my  heart : 

'  O  fly  to  the  prairie  in  wonder,  and  gaze, 
As  o'er  the  grass  sweeps  the  magnificent  blaze  ; 
The  world  cannot  boast  so  romantic  a  sight, 
A  continent  flaming,  'mid  oceans  of  light.'  " 

How  changed  the  scene  now  !  The  timber,  in  many  places,  has 
been  cleared  away,  and  beautiful  farms  appear  in  its  stead.  The 
broad  prairies  have  been  shorn  of  their  native  beauty,  and  the 
hand  of  man  has  endeavored  to  excel  in  their  decoration.  The 
iron  horse  now  courses  over  the  prairie  and  through  the  timber 
where  once  only  the  trail  of  the  red  man  was  known.  Villages, 
towns  and  cities  appear  where  the  wigwam  was  once  seen.  All 
this  change  has  taken  place  in  fifty  years.  What  will  the  next 
fifty  years  bring  forth  ?  Who  can  tell  ? 

On  the  admission  of  the  State  into  the  Union,  what  is  now  known 
as  McDonough  county  was  a  part  of  Madison.  Afterward,  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  June  30,  1821,  it  was  placed  with- 
in the  boundaries  of  Pike,  and  by  a  subsequent  act,  approved  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1826,  its  present  boundaries  were  determined,  and  it  was 
attached  to  Schuyler  county  for  judicial  and  recording  purposes. 
As  before  remarked,  the  county  is  about  equally  divided  between 
timber  and  prairie,  the  eastern  tier  of  townships  being  mainly 
prairie,  while  the  western  is  chiefly  timber.  When  we  shall  come  to 
the  descriptions  of  townships,  we  shall  notice  this  matter  more  at 
length,  giving  the  exact  proportions  of  each.  The  county  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Henderson  and  Warren,  on  the  south  by 
Schuyler,  on  the  east  by  Fulton,  and  on  the  west  by  Hancock. 

To  William  Carter  and*Kiggs  Pennington  belong  the  honor  of 
the  first  settlement,  about  one  mile  southeast  of  the  present  town 
of  Industry,  in  the  south  part  of  the  county.  The  settlement  was 
named  in  honor  of  Mr.  Carter,  who  resided  in  the  neighborhood 
for  several  years,  when  he  removed  to  the  State  of  Missouri.  Mr. 
Pennington,  shortly  afterward,  removed  also.  He  was  the  first 
Justice  of  the  Peace  residing  in  the  county. 

It  is  not  known  if  any  others  settled  in  the  county  that  year,  but 
in  the  following  year  (1827)  William  Job  and  brother,  John  Yance, 
and  others,  settled  near  where  the  town  of  Blandinsville  is  now  lo 
cated,  the  neighborhood  taki  ng  the  name,  and  being  known  for  many 


*Riggs  Pennington  left  the  county  at  a  very  early  day,  removing  to  Knox  county,  in  this  State, 
from  which  place  he  emigrated  to  Texas  in  the  spring  of  1837, 


and  where  he  died  some  years  since. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  19 

years  afterwards  as  "  Job's  settlement."  William  Pennington,  in 
1828,  located  in  the  neighborhood  now  known  as  "Pennington's 
Point,"  in  the  southwest  corner  of  'Sew  Salem  township,  where  he 
remained  about  three  years,  removing  to  Spring  Creek,  in  the 
north  part  of  the  county.  Elias  McFadden,  also,  at  this  time  set- 
tled near  the  present  city  of  Macornb,  living  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  William  Hunter,  about  one  mile  south  of  the  city.  John 
Baker  came  out  in  the  fall  of  this  year,  or  in  the  spring  of '29,  and 
built  the  tirs.t  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Macomb. 
Mr.  Baker  was  a  minister  of  the  Regular  Baptist  Church,  but  gave 
little  time  to  his  calling,  engaging  almost  exclusively  in  secular 
pursuits.  He  was  appointed  the  first  Clerk  pro  tern,  of  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court  on  the  organization  of  the  -county,  which 
position  he  retained  only  a  few  months.  He  held  membership  in 
the  New  Hope  Baptist  Church,  in  Job's  settlement,  from  which  he 
was  expelled  for  unchristian  conduct.  He  left  the  county  about 
the  year  1835,  going  to  Missouri,  and  from  thence  to  Texas.  In 
the  latter  place  he  again  felt  a  longing  desire  to  become  useful  in 
the  cause  ot  Christ,  and  friends  there,  knowing  his  talents,  desired 
him  to  resume  the  work  of  the  ministry.  This  he  was  too  con- 
scientious to  do  until  first  restored  by  the  church  from  which  he 
had  been  excluded;  so,  in  the  year  1840,  he  returned  to  the  county, 
riding  eight  hundred  miles  of  the  distance  on  horseback,  that  he 
might  again  meet  with  the  Xew  Hope  Church,  make  confession,  and 
be  restored  to  its  fellowship.  The  church  joyfully  received  him, 
and  he  was  again  commissioned  to  go  forth  bearing  "glad  tidings." 
Returning  to  Texas,  he  was  occasionally  heard  from  for  several 
years  later,  and  always  with  good  report.  Whether  now  living 
or  dead,  we  know  not. 

In  1830,  James  Clarke,  David  Clarke, William  Pringle,  Resin  N&y- 
lor,  and  a  few  others,  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Macomb.  At 
this  time  Indians  were  still  frequent  visitors  to  the  cabins  of  the 
white  man.  It  was  in  the  fall  of  1830  that  a  large  number  of  the 
tribe  of  Fox  or  Sac  Indians  encamped  on  the  creek  just  west  of 
Macomb  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  their  annual  fall  hunt, 
when  a  few  of  the  brave  settlers  went  out  and  ordered  them  away, 
and  in  order  to  hasten  their  departure,  caught  a  few  of  them,  and 
while  some  of  their  number  kept  guard,  Resin  Baylor,  with  a 
hickory  withe,  gave  them  thirty  and  nine  lashes  upon  their  bare 
backs.  In  doing  this  the  settlers  ran  a  great  risk,  for  the  In- 
dians were  well  armed,  while  the  whites  had  only  a  few  old  flint- 


20 

lock  muskets,  the  most  of  which  were  too  rusty  to  be  of  any 
service.  Luckily  no  resistance  was  made,  arid  the  Indians  hastily 
left. 

As  showing  how  destructive  of  game  the  Indians  were,  it  is  re- 
lated that  in  the  fall  of  1829  one  solitary  Indian  killed  one  hundred 
and  sixty-nine  deer  in  the  region  known  as  Wilson's  Mill,  about 
four  miles  southwest  of  Macomb ;  and,  strange  to  relate,  the  last 
one  he  shot  was  the  means  of  his  own  death.  After  shooting  the 
deer,  and  seeing  it  lie  motionless  upon  the  ground,  he  went  for- 
ward for  the  purpose  of  securing  his  prize,  when  it  arose  and  ran 
him  through  the  breast  with  its  antlers.  He  was  afterward  dis- 
covered by  others  of  Siis  tribe,  who  gave  him  burial  on  the  spot 
where  he  fell, 'placing  within  his  grave  his  gun,  tomahawk,  knife, 
and  other  implements.  The  mound  erected  over  his  grave  was 
still  visible  a  few  years  ago,  but  about  the  year  1832  some  vandal 
opened  the  grave  and  stole  therefrom  the  buried  arms. 

In  this  same  year  (1830)  Roswell  Tyrrell,  David  Fees,  John  Gib- 
sou,  and  others,  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Lamoine,  Tennessee,  and  Bethel  townships. 
They  were  followed  shortly  afterward  by  the  Marks,  Edmondsons, 
Dunsworths,  Archers,  and  others,  all  the  various  settlements  re- 
ceiving reinforcements.  It  was  now  thoughtthere  was  a  sufficient 
number  of  inhabitants  to  justify  an  organization  of  the  county  ;  ac- 
cordingly, on  the  fourteenth  day  of  June,  1830, a  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial 
District,  then  holding  court  at  Rush ville,  Schuyler  county,  signed 
by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  county,  setting  forth  that 
McDonough  county  had  the  number  of  inhabitants  required  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature  for  the  organization  of  counties,  and  upon 
the  said  day  his  honor  issued  the  following  order: 

STATE  or  ILLINOIS,      )  &  , 
MCDONOUGH    COUNTY,    j"    ' 

To  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  all  w7w  shall  see  these  presents,  greeting  : 

WHEBEAS,  By  the  said  ninth  and  eleventh  sections  of  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  forming 
new  counties  out  of  the  counties  of  Pike  and  Fulton,  and  the  attached  parts  thereof,"  ap- 
proved January  13,  1825,  it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Presiding  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judi~ 
cial  Circuit  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  whenever  it  shall  be  made  to  appear  to  his  satisfaction 
that  either  of  the  counties  of  Hancock,  Warren,  Mercer,  Henry,  Putnam  or  Knox  con- 
tains three  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  to  proceed  to  organize  the  same,  and  to  grant 
an  order  for  the  election  of  county  officers  preparatory  thereto  ;  and 

WHEKEAS,  By  virtue  of  an  act  entitled  "  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act  entitled  '  An 
act  forming  new  counties  out  of  the  counties  of  Pike  and  Fulton,  and  the  attached  parts 
thereof,'  "  approved  January  25,  1826,  a  new  county  was  created,  to  be  called  the  county 


21 

of  McDonough.  with  the  express  provision  therein  contained  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
said  county  of  McDonough  should  enjoy  and  possess  all  the  rights  and  privileges  granted 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  counties  created  by  the  first  recited  act,  and  to  which 
the  said  last  mentioned  act  is  a  supplement :  and 

WHEBEAS,  It  has  been  made  to  appear  to  my  satisfaction  that  the  said  county  of  Mc- 
Donough contains  three  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants  and  upwards,  and  inasmuch  as 
the  greater  part  of  qualified  voters  of  said  county  have  requested,  by  petition,  that  the 
same  should  be  organized  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  I  do  therefore,  in  pursuance  of 
the  power  invested  in  me  by  virtue  of  the  provisions  contained  in  the  above  recited  acts, 
order  and  direct  that  an  election  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  McDonough,  at  the  house 
of  Elias  McFadden,  in  said  county,  on  Saturday,  the  third  day  of  July  next,  for  the  election 
of  three  County  Commissioners,  one  Sheriff,  and  one  Coroner,  to  serve,  when  elected  and 
qualified,  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  McDonough,  respectively,  until  they  shall  be 
superseded  by  the  persons  who  may  be  elected  at  the  general  election,  to  be  held  on  the 
first  Monday  in  August  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof  ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  having  this 
order  carried  into  execution,  I  do  hereby  appoint  Ephraim  Perkins,  William  McDonald 
and  John  Rogers,  Esquires,  of  said  county,  judges  of  said  election,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  set  up  written  or  printed  advertisements  or  notices  of  said  election  in  at  least  six  of 
the  most  public  places  in  said  county,  inclusive  of  the  place  at  which  the  said  election  is 
hereby  directed  to  be  held,  having  due  regard  to  the  situation  and  population  of  the  dif- 
fent  settlements,  at  least  ten  days  immediately  preceding  the  said  election,  to  the  end  that 
all  persons  concerned  may  have  timely  notice  thereof,  the  election  to  be  viva  voce,  be- 
tween the  hours  of  10  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  7  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  said  day, 
and  conducted  in  all  respects,  as  near  as  may  be  practicable,  in  conformity  with  the  act 
entitled  "  An  act  regulating  elections."  approved  January  10,  1829  :  and,  lastly,  the  said 
judges  are  to  certify  the  result  of  the  said  election  to  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
as  soon  thereafter  as  may  be  convenient,  in  order  that  the  persons  who  may  be  elected 
and  entitled  to  commissions  may  be  commissioned  and  qualify  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible,  and  after  the  said  election  of  the  said  county  officers  shall  have  taken  place  in 
pursuance  of  this  order,  I  do  hereby  declare  the  said  county  of  McDonough  to  be  organ- 
ized and  entitled  to  the  same  rights  and  privileges  as  the  other  counties  in  this  State. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Rushville,  this  fourteenth  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1830, 
and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  fifty-fourth. 

RICHARD  M.  YOUNG, 
Circuit  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Ju<li<-i<il  Circuit  of  the  &tate  of  Illinois. 

Pursuant  to  this  order,  the  election  was  held,  and  James  Vance, 
James  Clarke,  and  John  Hardesty  were  elected  County  Commis- 
sioners, and  William  Southward,  Sheriff',  and  Peter  Hale,  Coroner. 
On  the  same  day  the  election  was  held  the  County  Commissioners 
met  and  began  the  official  business  of  the  county.  Their  first 
order  affirmed  that  the  order  of  Judge  Young  had  been  fully 
carried  out,  and  that  the  County  Commissioners  were  duly  elected. 
Their  second  order  appointed  Michael  Stinson,  Clerk  pro  tern.,  and 
their  third  order  located  the  seat  of  justice  at  the  house  of  John  Ba- 
ker, on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  31,  in  township  6  north,  and 
2  west,  which  is  now  known  as  Macomb  township,  and  that  "  the 
same  be  known  as  the  town  of  Washington  for  the  present."  The 
Commissioners  then  appointed  Ephraim  Perkins,  William  McDon- 


22  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

aid,  and  George  Dowell,  judges  of  election,  to  be  held  at  Wash- 
ington on  the  first  Monday  in  August.  Their  fifth  order  adjourned 
the  court  until  the  fifth  of  July,  at  the  residence  of  James  Clarke. 

On  the  fifth  of  July  the  Commissioners  met  pursuant  to  adjourn- 
ment at  the  residence  of  James  Clarke,  and  proceeded  to  divide 
the  county  into  three  Magistrate's  Districts,  and  provide  for  the 
election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Constables  in  each.  The 
districts  were  made  eight  miles  wide,  running  east  and  west  the 
entire  length  of  the  county,  and  were  called  First,  Second  and 
Third  Magistrate's  Districts,  the  first  being  on  the  south,  the  sec- 
ond the  middle,  and  the  third  the  northern  portion  of  the  county. 
An  election  was  called  for  the  First  District  at  the  house  of  James 
Vance  on  the  first  Saturday  in  August  following  (1830)  for  two 
Justices  of  the  Peace  and  two  Constables.  George  Dowell,  Wil- 
liam S.Moore,  and  William  Garrett  were  appointed  judges  of  elec- 
tion. In  the  Second  District,  at  the  same  time,  an  election  was  held 
at  the  house  of  John  Baker  for  four  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  four 
Constables.  Elias  McFadden,  Peter  Hale,  and  David  Troxwell 
were  appointed  judges  of  election.  In  the  Third  District,  at  the 
same  time,  at  the  residence  of  John  Vance,  two  Justices  of  the 
Peace  and  two  Constables  were  elected.  William  Deakins,  John 
Wyatt,  and  Isaac  Bartlett  were  appointed  judges  of  election. 

At  this  general  election  James  Vance,  John  Hardesty,  and 
James  Clarke  were  re-elected  County  Commissioners;  William 
Southward,  Sheriff;  Peter  Hale,  Coroner,  and  Jesse  Bartlett,  Sur- 
veyor. The  house  of  John  Baker,  at  which  the  election  was  held, 
was  simply  a  hut  built  of  poles,  scarcely  large  enough  to  deserve 
the  name  of  logs.  This  house  was  used  as  a  tavern,  the  Clerk's 
office,  and  Court  House,  until  the  erection  of  the  old  log  Court 
House,  in  1831. 

At  the  special  election,  held  August  7,  in  the  several  Magistrate's 
Districts,  James  Vance,  Sr.,  and  John  Billew  were  elected  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  and  James  Lee  and  James  B.  Tomberlin,  Constables 
in  and  for  the  First  District.  In  the  Second  District  were  elected 
James  Clarke,  William  McDonald,  Robert  Cook  and  Samuel  Bogart, 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  John  Wilson,  Oliver  C.  Rice,  Thomas 
J.  Pennington,  and  John  Harris,  Constables.  In  the  Third  Dis- 
trict Ephraim  Perkins  and  Caswell  Russell  were  elected  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  and  Francis  Reading  and  Jacob  Coffman.  Constables. 
The  third  meeting  of  the  first  regular  term  of  the  County  Com- 
missioners' Court  was  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  September, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  23 

1830,  when  the  Commissioners  proceeded  to  the  selection  of  a  grand 
and  petit  jury  for  the  October  ternj  of  the  Circuit  Court,  being  the 
first  term.  For  grand  jurymen  the  following  names  were  selected  : 
William  Osborue,  Joseph  Osborne,  William  Garrett,  Roland  Lee, 
George  Grace,  William  Hendry,  William  Stephens,  Elias  McFad- 
den,  John  Barber,  David  Troxwell,  Peter  Hale,  Nathan  A.  Mc- 
Fadden,  John  Carmack,  John  Wyatt,  Sr.,  John  Woodsides,  William 
Deakins,  Wright  Riggins,  Elijah  Bristow,  Caswell  Russell,  Abra- 
ham Gassett,  and  John  Vance.  For  petit  jurymen  were  selected 
Charles  Shannon,  William  Shannon,  John  Wilson,  James  Vance, 
Jr.,  John  Bridges,  Thomas  Bridges,  Thomas  Phillips,  Nimrod 
Smith,  Eli  Osborne,  Nicholas  Campbell,  JohnMassingill,  Ephraim 
Mitchell,  Enoch  Cyrus,  Nathan  Bartlett,  Russell  Duncan,  Reuben 
Harris,  Jr.,  Ephraim  Perkins,  George  Shell,  William  Job,  Nathan 
Hume,  Noble  Owsly,  and  Larkin  Osborne. 

It  required  about  two-thirds  of  all  the  legal  voters  in  the  county 
to  constitute  this  grand  and  petit  jury. 

At  this  meeting  John  Baker  was  appointed  Clerk  pro  tern.,  in 
place  of  M,  L.  Stinson,  resigned  ;  James  Vance,  Sr.,  was  appointed 
Commissioner  ot  School  Lands;  Isaac  Bartlett,  County  Surveyor, 
and  John  Huston,  County  Treasurer.  The  bond  of  the  latter  was 
fixed  at  §800,  showing  that  it  was  not  expected  he  would  ever  be 
entrusted  with  a  large  amount  of  money. 

On  the  seventeenth  day  of  October,  1830,  the  first  term  of  the 
Circuit  Court  was  held.  There  were  present,  in  attendance  on  the 
Court,  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  Circuit  Judge;  John  Baker,  Clerk, 
pro  tern.;  William  Southward,  Sheriff.  In  the  absence  of  Thomas 
Ford,  State's  Attorney,  James  M.  Strode  was  appointed  pro  tern. 
This  term  lasted  but  one  day,  and  was  held  at  the  house  of  John 
Baker,  in  the  town  of  Washington,  the  temporary  county  seat  of 
MeDonough  county.  But  little  business  was  transacted,  the  grand 
and  petit  juries  both  being  dismissed  without  performing  any 
duties.  The  order  of  Judge  Young  calling  an  election  for  the  or- 
ganization of  the  county  was  ordered  spread  upon  the  records  of 
the  court,  as  well  as  an  order  in  relation  to  the  time  of  holding 
court.  The  bonds  of  Isaac  Bartlett,  Coroner,  and  William  South- 
ward, Sheriff,  were  approved. 

Previous  to  the  organization  of  the  county  the  taxes  were  as- 
sessed and  collected  by  Schuyler  county,  and  among  the  first  acts 
of  our  County  Commissioners  was  a  request  that  the  authorities  of 


24  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

that  county  furnish  them  a  list  of  taxes  assessed  for  the  coming 
year,  which  request  was  at  once  complied  with. 

In  December,  1830,  James  Clarke,  Esq.,  went  to  Springfield, 
and,  in  behalf  of  the  county,  entered  the  quarter  section  of  land 
upon  which  the  old  town  of  Macomb  was  subsequently  laid  out. 
For  this  service  he  was  allowed  the  munificent  sum  of  $3,  which 
was  certainly  well  earned,  for,  while  returning,  he  was  overtaken 
by  the  big  snow  storm  so  well  remembered  by  all  the  old  settlers, 
and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  arrived  safely  at  home. 
The  snow  began  to  fall  when  he  was  between  Springfield  and 
Beardstown,  and  in  a  few  hours  time  all  traces  of  the  road  were 
obliterated,  and  the  only  way  by  which  he  could  with  certainty 
know  he  was  pursuing  the  right  course  was  by  observing  the 
trees  and  large  weeds  that  he  had  noticed  in  previously  passing 
over  the  road.  The  recollection  of  this  "  big  snow  "  is  vividly 
impressed  upon  the  mind  of  more  than  one  old  settler,  and  the 
remembrance  of  the  horrors  of  that  long  winter  will  never  be  oblit- 
erated while  their  lives  shall  last.  The  snow  began  to  fall  the  night 
of  the  twenty-ninth  of  December,  and  continued  falling  for  three 
days  and  nights,  until  it  reached  an  average  depth  of  about  four 
feet,  drifting  in  places  as  high  as  eighteen  or  twenty  feet.  Great 
suffering  was  experienced  in  consequence.  The  settlers  relied  for 
their  daily  food  upon  the  Indian  corn  which  they  were  enabled  to 
raise,  together  with  the  wild  game,  which  was  abundant  at  that 
time.  Plenty  of  the  former  was  raised  to  supply  the  wants  of  all 
until  the  next  season's  crop  ;  but  when  the  snow  fell,  but  little  had 
been  gathered.  Game  could  not  be  had.  The  great  depth  of  the 
snow  was  a  barrier  to  all  travel,  and  it  may  well  be  imagined  the 
sufferings  of  the  people  were  great  indeed.  In  a  letter,  published 
in  the  March  (1876)  number  of  Clarke's  Monthly,  Hon.  James 
Clarke  thus  graphically  described  the  situation  : 

"  The  snow  fell  an  average  depth  of  about  four  feet,  and  re- 
mained on  the  ground  for  about  three  months.  All  kinds  of  wild 
game  literally  starved  to  death.  Before  the  snow  fell  the  deer 
were  as  fat  as  could  be,  and  before  it  passed  away  they  were  so 
poor  they  were  not  fit  to  eat.  Wild  turkeys  would  fall  from  the 
limbs  of  trees.  The  morning  after  the  snow  fell  my  wife  was 
about  three  hours  shoveling  it  from  our  cabin.  We  then 
lived  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  house  lately  occupied  by 
Isaac  Haines,  a  little  southwest  of  Macomb.  I  did  not  have  my 
corn  gathered,  and  had  a  good  sized  family  to  feed,  and  had  five 


HISTORY  OF  M'UONOUGE  COUMTY.  25 

horses  and  some  cattle.  As  soon  as  possible  I  sent  John  Wilson, 
the  young  man  afterward  murdered  by  McFadden,  with  the  horses 
to  Morgan  county  to  have  them  kept  through  the  winter.  Each 
day  we  would  have  to  go  out  to  the  Held,  and  where  we  could  see 
a  stalk  of  corn  standing  above  the  snow  reach  down  until  we  came 
to  the  ear,  pull  it  off,  gathering  enough  for  the  day.  There  were 
no  mills  in  the  country,  and  each  family  would,  with  a  mortar  and 
pestle,  pound  their  corn  so  as  to  make  bread.  A  few  were  fortu- 
nate enough  to  have  large  graters  with  which  they  would  grate 
up  the  corn.  The  first  thing  done  each  morning  would  be  to  build 
the  fire  and  put  on  a  big  pot  of  water  in  which  the  corn  would  be 
thrown  and  boiled  awhile,  then  taken  out  and  grated  and  made 
into  good,  wholesome  bread.  This,  with  what  game  we  could  get, 
was  what  we  had  to  live  on  during  the  long  winter. 

"Several  families  came  to  the  county  that  fall,  and,  of  course,  had 
no  corn.  All  things  were  then  held  more  in  common.  Those 
that  had  none  wrere  welcome  to  help  themselves  Irom  their  more 
fortunate  neighbors,  all  that  was  required  of  them  being  that  they 
should  gather  it  themselves.  Resin  Baylor,  better  known  as 
"  Boss  "  Xaylor,  was  one  of  that  class,  and  it  was  a  little  amusing 
to  see  him  go  out  to  the  fields,  walking  for  a  time  on  top  of  the 
snow,  on  which  a  crust  was  formed,  but  now  and  then  going 
through,  getting  his  corn,  and  come  in  blowing  like  a  porpoise 
and  sweating  dreadfully.  But  we  all  managed  to  live,  and  had 
good  cause  to  be  thankful  it  was  no  worse.  The  young  men  and 
women  of  this  day  have  little  knowledge  of  what  a  pioneer  life 
consisted.  Away  out  upon  an  almost  boundless  prairie,  far  from 
home  and  kindred,  with  an  opportunity  of  hearing  from  them  only 
every  few  months,  it  was  dreary  indeed,  but  how  different  it  is  now! 
However  far  the  distance,  they  can  be  communicated  with  in  a 
few  moments  time." 

During  the  previous  summer  Mr.  John  Rogers  erected  himself 
a  log  house  on  the  prairie,  in  Industry  township,  but  the  winter 
coming  on,  he  concluded  it  would  be  better  for  him  to  move  to 
the  timber,  which  he  accordingly  did,  taking  his  cabin  with  him  ; 
but  the  snow  beginning  to  fall  before  he  had  finished  rebuilding, 
he  enclosed  the  cabin  in  a  tent,  and  managed  to  live  in  it  during 
the  long  winter  that  followed,  his  only  food  heiug  hominy,  with- 
out salt.  This  so  disgusted  him  that  the  next  spring  he  left  the 
county,  never  to  return. 


26 

We  have  little  doubt  that  many  a  weary  one  during  that  long 
winter  sighed  for  the  comforts  of  the  "  old  home  ;"  but,  notwith- 
standing its  dreariness  and  the  suffering  of  the  people,  none  be- 
came disheartened  save  the  one  above  mentioned.  We  find  them 
in  the  spring  of  1831  as  determined  as  ever  to  carve  out  for  them- 
selves a  home  in  this  truly  beautiful  country. 

During  this  first  year  of  the  organization  of  the  county  but  one 
couple  was  brave  enough  to  try  "  the  sweets  of  wedded  bliss,"  for 
but  one  marriage  license  was  granted — John  Wyatt  and  Betsy 
Massingill. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  27 


CHAPTER  H. 
1831. 

The  snow  lay  upon  the  ground  until  about  the  first  of  April ; 
meantime  the  few  inhabitants  of  the  county  lived  as  best  they  could, 
trusting  the  good  time  would  yet  come. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  James  M.  Campbell,  Esq.,  came  to  the 
county,  and  was  cordially  received.  He  had,  in  December  pre- 
vious, received  the  appointment  of  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  from 
the  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  Circuit  Judge,  and  came  to  enter 
upon  the  duties  of  his  office.  Like  most  of  the  settlers  living  in 
the  county  at  that  time,  Mr.  Campbell  was  from  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky. This  tact  was  not  discovered  at  first,  and  Mr.  Campbell 
was  regarded  as  a  Yankee,  and,  consequently,  looked  upon  with 
suspicion.  John  Baker  resigned  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court ;  a  new  man  was  to  be  appointed,  and  who 
it  should  be  was  a  question.  Mr.  Campbell  was  suggested.  One 
of  the  Commissioners  replied  most  emphatically  that  no  Yankee 
should  ever  be  Clerk  of  that  Court.  Mr.  Campbell  was  asked  if 
he  was  really  and  truly  a  Yankee.  "  Well,  gentlemen,"  replied 
Mr.  C.,  u  if  to  be  born  in  the  city  of  Frankfort,  State  of  Kentucky, 
living  there  until  six  years  of  age,  coming  to  the  State  of  Illinois 
and  remaining  for  six  years,  then  returning  to  Kentucky  and  living 
there  for  twelve  years,  and  again  returning  to  Illinois,  constitutes 
a  Yankee,  then  I  am  one."  It  is  unnecessary  to  add  that  the  ex- 
planation was  satisfactory,  and  the  appointment  made.  Being  of 
an  energetic  turn  of  mind,  and  something  of  an  enthusiast,  he  at 
once  took  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs  of  t^e  county,  and  has  ever 
since  been  in  active  life,  having  many  times  been  honored  by  the 
citizens  of  the  county  with  the  highest  offices  within  their  gift. 


28 

Strict  economy  governed  the  Commissioners  in  all  the  affairs 
pertaining  to  the  weltare  of  the  county.  Every  bill  presented  was 
carefully  scrutinized,  and  value  received  was  invariably  required 
before  payment.  We  may  here  remark  that  such  has  always  been 
the  action  of  every  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  or  Super- 
visors, since  the  organization  of  the  county,  which  will  ac- 
count for  the  good  credit  always  enjoyed.  Very  few  bills  of 
doubtful  propriety  have  ever  been  smuggled  through. 

At  the  March  term  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  James 
Clarke  was  allowed  the  sum  of  three  dollars  lor  going  to  Spring- 
field and  entering  the  land  upon  which  the  original  town  of  Ma- 
comb  was  located.  As  remarked  in  a  preceding  chapter,  the 
money  was  well  earned,  for  while  returning  home  he  was  over- 
taken by  the  big  snow  storm,  and  was  several  days  in  making  the 
trip.  We  have' heard  him  remark  that  often  times  while  on  the 
journey  he  thought  he  wrould  be  compelled  to  give  up  and  lie 
down  and  die.  The  snow  in  many  places  had  drifted  so  much 
that  his  horse  could  not  get  through,  and  he  would  be  compelled 
to  effect  a  passage  by  raking  it  away  with  his  hands. 

In  payment  for  the  use  of  his  house  for  court  purposes  John 
Baker  was  granted  the  fee  simple  right  to  two  lots  in  the  town  of 
Macomb,  which  was  then  to  be  laid  out.  John  J.  Keatori  was  em- 
ployed to  make  the  survey,  for  which  he  was  allowed  the  sum  of 
thirty-five  dollars.  David  Clarke  and  John  Baker  were  employed 
to  carry  the  chain,  for  which  they  each  received  fifty  cents  a  day. 
William  McDonald  received  sixty-two  and  a  half  cents  per  day  for 
driving  the  stakes,  the  work  being  more  arduous  than  that  of 
carrying  the  chain.  It  appears  from  bills  allowed  by  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court  the  wages  paid  laborers  at  this  time  were 
from  fifty  cents  to  one  dollar  per  day. 

Many  laughable  anecdotes  are  related  of  this  survey.  Mr. 
Keaton  was  not  a  regular  surveyor,  and  is  said  to  have  known 
less  about  surveying  than  those  who  carried  the  chain.  He  had 
great  difficulty  in  making  the  corners — in  fact  never  did  make 
them,  and  they  havenever  been  straightened  to  this  day.  Another 
man  being  wanted  to  assist  in  the  work,  several  were  approached 
for  this  purpose,  but  all  had  an  excuse  to  make,  one  man  replying 
thathe  would  notgive  thepleasureof  his  day's  drunk  for  the  two  best 
lots  in  the  town.  It  should  be  remembered  there  were  few  teeto- 
talers in  the  county  at  that  time.  The  first  plat  of  the  town  not 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  29 

proving  satisfactory,  the  citizens  petitioned  the  County  Commis- 
sioners to  change  it,  which  was  done,  although  one  of  the  members 
of  the  board,  Hon.  James  Vance,  entered  upon  the  records  of  the 
court  his  protest  against  the  action. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  held  April 
12,  18-31,  the  question  of  building  a  Court  House  was  discussed, 
and  the  following  order  made  : 

Ordered,  That  the  building  of  a  house,  to  be  used  as  a  Court  House,  be  let  to  the  lowest 
bidder,  of  the  following  description,  to-wit :  To  be  built  of  logs,  hewed  on  both  sides, 
to  face  from  nine  to  twelve  inches  :  to  be  built  eighteen  feet  by  twenty,  with  a  white  oak 
plank  floor  above  and  below,  laid  loose  ;  nine  feet  between  the  joist  and  sleepers,  the  sleep- 
ers laid  two  feet  apart,  laid  on  the  sills  ;  joists  not  more  than  two  feet  apart,  of  good  white 
oak,  hewed,  or  sawed  four  inches  thick  by  nine  inches  wide  :  to  be  chinked  and  daubed 
on  the  outside  ;  one  door  six  and  one-half  feet  high  and  three  feet  wide,  well  faced  and 
cased :  a  good  batten  door,  hung  on  good  iron  hinges ;  one  window,  to  have  twelve  panes 
of  glass,  and  one  window  of  six  panes  of  glass  ;  to  be  placed  in  said  building  by  the  in- 
struction of  James  M.  Campbell :  each  window  to  have  a  good  strong  batten  shutter,  hung 
with  butt  hinges,  covered  with  boards  four  feet  long,  of  good  width,  and  what  is  called 
double  covered,  with  good  gutters  and  eaves.  The  said  building  when  completed  and 
finished  to  be  done  in  workmanlike  manner.  The  said  building  to  be  on  a  lot  in  the  town 
of  Macomb,  (on  a  lot)  to  be  in  due  time,  that  is  within  two  weeks,  made  known  to  the 
undertaker.  The  undertaker  will  be  required  to  give  bonds,  with  sufficient  security,  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  undertaking  in  the  penal  sum  of  double  the  amount  of 
his  bid,  made  payable  to  the  County  Commissioners,  or  their  successors  in  office,  for  the 
use  of  the  county,  that  the  said  house  shall  be  finished  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember iiist. 

It  is  further  ordered,  That  the  weight  poles  are  to  be  of  sufficient  weight  to  be  of  ser- 
vice :  that  the  undertaker  furnish  everything  necessary  for  the  above  building,  except  the 
glass  for  the  windows. 

On  the  same  day  the  above  propositions  were  made  the  contract 
was  let  to  ^Villiam  Southward  for  the  sum  of  sixty-nine  dollars 
and  fifty  cents.  As  will  be  observed,  there  is  a  considerable  dif- 
ference between  the  first  and  last  buildings  erected  for  court  pur- 
poses. 

At  this  same  meeting  John  Baker  applied  for  a  license  to  keep 
a  tavern,  which  request  was  ordered  on  his  paying  into  the  Coun- 
ty Treasury  the  sum  of  six  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  together  with  the 
Clerk's  tees  for  issuing  the  license.  The  board  then  adopted  the 
following  scale  of  prices  to  govern  inn-keepers  in  the  county  : 

For  each  meal  of  victuals $0  25 

For  each  night's  lodgings 0 

For  each  horse  feed  per  night 0  25 

For  each  horse  feed     0 

For  each  half  pint  of  whisky 0 

For  each  half  pint  French  brandy 0  25 

For  each  half  pint  Holland  gin  or  wine 0  25 

For  each  half  pint  peach  brandy - 0 


30  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

It  will  doubtless  seem  strange  to  our  young  readers  to  know 
that  this  John  Baker,  to  whom  a  license  was  granted  to  keep  a 
tavern,  which  was  but  another  name  for  a  grocery  and  whisky 
shop,  was  a  Baptist  preacher,  but  such  was  the  fact.  He  figured 
for  several  years  in  the  county  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  a 
retailer  of  the  ardent.  He,  a  few  days  after  obtaining  his  license, 
took  as  a  partner  Samuel  Bogart,  a  Methodist  preacher,  and,  under 
the  name  of  Bogart,  Baker  &  Co.,  the  firm  engaged  in  the  sale  of 
dry  goods,  groceries,  whisky,  tobacco,  etc.  That  no  preacher  is 
now  allowed  to  drink,  much  less  sell  ardent  spirits,  is  certainly 
proof  sufficient  to  show  that  the  temperance  cause  is  advancing. 

By  an  examination  of  the  records  of  the  Board  of  County  Com- 
missioners, we  find  that  four  licenses  were  granted  during  this 
year  (1831)  to  keep  tavern  in  Macomb,  from  which  it  may  be  sup- 
posed that  liquor  was  in  demand.  We  can  scarcely  imagine  who 
their  customers  were,  and  can  only  solve  the  problem  by  suppos- 
ing that  they  carried  on  business  after  the  manner  of  the  old  man 
and  his  wife,  who,  owning  a  barrel  of  cider  between  them,  and  only 
a  sixpence  to  spend,  tapped  the  barrel  at  both  ends,  and  sold  to 
each  other. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  April  the  first  public  sale  of  lots  was 
made  in  the  town  of  Macomb,  William  Edmondston  acting  as 
auctioneer,  he  having  previously  been  appointed  by  the  board  as 
commissioner  for  the  sale  of  all  lots.  But  few  were  sold,  and  the. 
amount  realized  was  quite  small. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  June  John  Baker  resigned  the  position  of 
Clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  and  James  M.  Camp- 
bell was  appointed  in  his  stead  "  during  good  behavior."  We 
conclude  his  behavior  must  have  been  good,  for  he  held  the  posi- 
tion for  many  years.  He  was  required  to  give  bond  in  the  sum  of 
$1,000  to  "faithfully,  fairly  and  impartially  do  and  perform  the 
duties  of  Clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  to  the  best  of- 
his  understanding  and  abilities." 

License  was  required  at  this  time  for  the  sale  of  all  kinds  of  mer- 
chandise, and  we  find  applications  made  by  James  M.  Campbell, 
Henton  &  Robinson,  and  Bogart.  Baker  &  Co.  to  keep  a  "  dry 
goods  and  retail  store,"  which  were  granted  on  the  payment  of 
the  sum  of  five  dollars  per  year,  together  with  the  Clerk's  fees. 
These  firms  all  transacted  business  in  Macomb. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  31 

At  this  meeting  of  the  board  the  various  magistrate  districts 
were  made  election  precincts  for  the  Congressional  election,  to  be 
held  the  first  Monday  in  August.  For  this  election  the  clerks 
were  each  allowed  one  dollar  and  twelve  and  a  half  cents,  and  the 
judges  one  dollar  per  day.  We  suppose  the  clerk's  duties  were 
more  laborious,  hence  the  difference  in  price. 

By  an  act  of  Congress  the  sixteenth  section  of  land  in  every 
township  was  set  apart,  and  the  proceeds  otits  sale  used,  for  com- 
mon school  purposes.  Commissioners  were  appointed  in  each 
county  to  superintend  its  sale  and  take  charge  of  the  proceeds. 
In  September  of  this  year  James  Vance  received  the  appointment 
as  Commissioner  of  School  Lands,  and  was  instructed  by  the  board 
to  loan  all  money  received  therefor  for  not  less  than  twelve  per 
cent,  per  annum.  Trustees  for  each  township  were  also  appointed 
for  the  school  lands. 

The  assessment  of  taxes  then  and  now  will  bear  no  comparison, 
as  we  learn  from  the  records  that  Resin  Naylor  was  only  allowed 
fifteen  dollars  for  assessing  the  taxes  of  the  whole  county. 

The  Court  House  was  finished  according  to  contract,  and  Cir- 
cuit Court  convened  therein  for  its  second  term  on  the  twenty -first 
day  of  October.  There  were  present  the  Hon.  KichardM.  Young, 
Circuit  Judge;  Hon.  Thomas  Ford,  State's  Attorney;  William 
Southward,  Sheriff',  and  James  M.  Campbell,  Clerk.  At  this  ses- 
sion considerable  business  was  transacted,  the  most  important  be- 
ing the  trial  of  David  Morgan  for  murder.  This  was  a  case  from 
Schuyler  county.  After  a  patient  hearing,  the  jury  rendered  its 
verdict,  finding  him  guilty,  as  charged  in  the  indictment.  For 
some  cause  the  verdict  was  set  aside,  the  indictment  quashed,  and 
the  prisoner  discharged. 

An  indictment  was  found  by  the  grand  jury  against  Thomas 
Morgan,  a  brother  of  David,  for  murder,  after  which  he  was  ar- 
rested, and  obtained  a  continuance  of  his  case  until  the  next  term 
of  court.  There  being  no  jail  in  the  county,  he  was  remanded  by 
the  Judge  to  the  Schuyler  county  jail.  At  the  next  session  of  the 
court  he  obtained  a  farther  continuance,  and  ere  another  term  he 
broke  jail,  and  was  never  afterward  heard  from. 

Quite  a  number  settled  in  the  county  this  year,  among  whom 
was  J.  W.  Brattle,  for  many  years  surveyor  for  the  county,  and  a 
man  well  and  universally  esteemed.  Mr.  Brattle  has  probably 
done  more  surveying  in  McDonough  county  than  all  others  com- 
bined since  the  organization  of  the  county. 


32  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

John  Huston  resigned  the  office  of  County  Treasurer  on  the 
seventeenth  day  of  March,  1831.  Resin  Baylor  was  appointed  to 
succeed  him,  and  was  placed  under  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $800. 
Quite  a  difference  between  his  bond  and  that  of  the  present  Treas- 
urer of  the  county,  who  is  held  in  the  sum  of  $530,000.  Mr.  Nay- 
lor  continued  to  hold  the  office  a  number  of  years,  receiving  his 
appointment  each  year  from  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners. 

Twelve  couples  were  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  this 
year. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Campbell  came  to  the  county  there  was  no 
postoffice  within  its  limits,  citizens  obtaining  their  mail  from  Kush- 
ville,  the  nearest  office.  He  at  once  made  arrangements  with  the 
Postmaster  at  that  place  to  send  him  the  mail  belonging  to  citi- 
zens of  this  county,  he  becoming  personally  responsible  for  the 
payment  of  the  postage,  which  at  that  time  was  scarcely  ever  pre- 
paid, the  price  being  twenty-live  cents  per  letter.  It  is  said  of 
Mr.  Campbell  that  on  receiving  the  letters  he  placed  them  in  his 
hat  in  order  that  he  might  accommodate  the  people  as  he  met 
them  on  the  streets  or  elsewhere.  A.  petition  was  sent  to  the 
Postmaster  General  for  the  establishment  of  an  office  at  Macomb, 
and  for  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Campbell  as  Postmaster,  which 
was  granted,  and  his  commission  was  received  December  1,  1831. 
He  held  the  office  for  some  fifteen  years,  save  for  a  period  ot  three 
months,  in  1841,  when  George  W.  Damron  was  appointed  in  his 
stead. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  33 


CHAPTER  III. 
1832-34. 

During  the  years  1832  and  1833  but  few  matters  of  importance 
transpired  in  the  county.  The  seasons  came  and  went — a  few 
families  moved  into  the  county,  a  few  others  moved  out  of  it,  be- 
coming dissatisfied  with  the  hard  life  of  the  pioneer.  And  it  was 
indeed  hard.  Very  few  of  the  immigrants  were  possessed  of  any 
considerable  property;  there  was  no  market  for  what  was  raised  ; 
money  was  held  at  a  high  rate  of  interest,  and  the  securities  offered 
were  poor.  Those  who  remained  in  the  county  were  of  two 
classes,  those  who  were  too  poor  to  get  away,  and  those  who  be- 
lieved there  was  "  millions  in  it." 

Up  to  this  time  no  place  had  been  provided  for  the  confinement 
of  prisoners,  there  being  but  little  necessity  for  any.  The  want 
now  began  to  be  felt ;  accordingly,  at  the  March  (1833)  term  of 
the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  the  subject  was  fully  can- 
vassed, and  it  was  agreed  that  a  jail  should  be  built.  The  order 
was  made  in  the  following  terms : 

Ordered,  That  the  building  of  a  jail  for  said  county  be  let  to  the  lowest  bidder  on  the 
second  Monday  of  April  next,  and  that  the  Clerk  advertise  the  same,  to-wit :  Twenty  feet 
square,  with  three  rooms  at  least  nine  feet  between  the  floor  and  ceiling :  the  walls  built  of 
hewed  logs,  twelve  inches  square,  laid  close,  dovetailed  together  and  pinned,  each  log  at 
the  comer,  so  as  not  to  admit  of  anything  passing  through  the  inside  of  said  rooms;  to  be 
lined  with  plank  two  inches  thick,  of  white  oak,  spiked  on  across  the  logs,  laid  close ; 
with  the  floor  of  said  sized  timber  of  two  thicknesses,  crossing  at  right  angles,  with  a  ceil- 
ing ;  and  as  a  floor,  of  the  same  said  plank,  and  spiked  over,  as  on  the  walls,  of  the 
following  description  :  The  walls  planked  are  to  be  spiked  in  diamond  form,  four  inches 
square  on  all  the  walls,  ceilings  and  floors,  with  a  clapboard  roof  nailed  on,  the  boards  to 
be  three  feet  long,  and  of  good  width  ;  all  of  which  to  be  done  in  workmanlike  manner^ 
&c.:  with  three  doors  covered  with  sheet  iron,  with  a  place  left  so  as  to  open  on  hinges  ;  a 
small  grate  in  the  center  of  the  two  inner  doors,  and  to  be  so  fixed  as  to  be  as  strong 
when  done  as  though  they  were  solid ;  with  three  grates,  two  large  enough  to  admit  a  pane 
of  glass  ten  by  twelve,  with  a  sash  swinging  on  hinges  on  the  inside  of  each  room,  and 
one  window  large  enough  to  contain  six  panes  of  glass  :  in  each  window  to  be  placed  two 
H— 3 


34  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

grates  of  iron  bars  only  four  inches  square  from  center  to  center  of  the  bars  ;  and  two 
outside  doors  to  the  criminal  rooms,  hanging  on  the  outside,  opening  into  the  debtor's 
room,  and  that  the  bar  to  be  of  iron  three  inches  breadth  bar,  and  crossing  through  the 
center  with  bars  one  inch  square  ;  the  house  to  be  placed  on  a  stone  foundation,  built  at 
least  six  inches  above  the  highest  point  of  the  ground,  and  to  set  into  and  under  the  sur- 
face at  least  two  feet,  two  feet  thick,  and  the  space  tilled  with  stone  to  the  lower  part  of 
the  floor  ;  and  the  whole  to  be  completed  in  a  workmanlike  manner,  &c. 

The  contract  was  let  to  James  Edmondson,  who,  in  due  time, 
completed  the  work  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Commissioners.  The 
building  yet  stands,  and  has  been  used  for  over  twenty  years  by 
the  city  of  Macomb  as  a  city  prison,  going  by  the  name  of  the 
"  old  calaboose." 

This  building  has  always  been  considered  a  pretty  strong  one, 
but  \ve  are  informed  "  by  one  who  knows  "  that,  when  first  built, 
a  man  by  the  name  of  John  Seward  was  incarcerated  in  it  for  as- 
sault on  one  Devonshire.  Not  liking  his  quarters,  he  kicked  a  log 
out,  and  was  soon  a  free  man.  He  was  evidently  good  on  the 
kick. 

The  following  rather  strange  order  was  spread  upon  the  records 
at  this  term  of  the  court : 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  assess  a  tax  at  the  rate  of  one-half  per  cent,  on  town  lots, 
provided  that  Congress  has  repealed  the  law  exempting  public  lands  sold  from  taxes  for 
five  years,  and  that  he  govern  himself  according  to  law  ;  and  on  slaves,  registered  or  in- 
dentured negro  or  mulatto  servants;  on  pleasure  carriages,  on  distilleries,  on  all  horses, 
mares,  mules,  asses  and  neat  cattle  above  the  age  of  three  years,  and  also  on  all  horses, 
mules,  asses  and  neat  cattle  under  three  years  of  age  ;  on  watches  and  clocks,  and  their 
appendages,  on  wagons  and  carts,  on  hogs  and  sheep. 

But  one  slave  was  known  to  have  been  held  in  the  county,  and 
it  seemed  to  be  the  determination  that  none  should  be  allowed 
unless  duly  taxed. 

The  Court  House  erected  in  1831  becoming  too  small,  it  was  de- 
termined to  erect  one  of  brick,  "  two  stories  high,  and  not  more 
than  forty-six  feet  square."  An  advertisement  was  inserted  in 
the1  Jacksonville  Patriot  in  March  or  April,  1833,  for  plans  and 
specifications  for  such  a  building,  and  in  answer  plans  were  fur- 
nished at  the  May  term  of  the  Board,  and  one  adopted,  as  follows  : 

Ordered,  That  the  following  be  the  plans  of  a  Court  House  in  and  for  the  county  of 
McDonough,  viz  :  The  foundation  walls  of  stone,  forty-six  feet  four  inches  square,  and 
two  feet  thick  and  three  feet  high  ;  one  foot  above  the  surface  of  the  earth  ;  which  founda- 
tion shall  be  made  of  stone,  range  work  above  the  ground,  and  to  show  a  smooth  face  or 
front,  nicely  hewed,  and  laid  in  lime  and  sand  mortar  ;  also  two  division  stone  walls  (of 
the  same  as  above)  twelve  by  twenty  feet  in  the  west  end,  that  being  the  northwest  and 
southwest  corners  of  said  building,  which  walls  are  to  be  eighteen  inches  thick,  three  feet 
high,  one  foot  above  the  surface  of  the  earth  ;  there  will  be  a  wall  extending  from  the  cor- 
ners of  each  of  the  jury  or  small  rooms  to  the  east  end  of  the  building,  at  parallel  lines 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  35 

•with  the  outside  foundation  wall,  same  depth  in  the  ground,  and  only  to  come  to  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth,  eighteen  inches  thick,  laid  in  lime  and  sand  mortar  ;  walls  made  of  first 
rate  brick  and  other  suitable  materials,  forty  feet  square,  lower  story  eighteen  inches  thick 
and  fourteen  feet  high,  upper  story  to  be  thirteen  inch  walls  and  twelve  feet  high :  the 
small  rooms,  inside  walls,  to  be  thirteen  inch  walls  ;  on  the  outside  an  oval  and  round 
cornice  of  brick  ;  one  circular  top  door  frame  four  feet  by  eight  and  a  half  feet 
in  the  clear,  with  pannel  work,  and  glass  on  each  side  and  above,  placed  in  the  north, 
south  and  west  centers  of  the  walls  of  the  house  ;  a  window  placed  six  feet  above  the 
Judge's  seat,  and  thirty-six  window  frames,  sixteen  of  which  in  the  lower  story  and 
twenty  in  the  upper,  each  to  contain  twelve  panes  of  glass  twelve  by  eighteen  inches,  at 
equal  distances,  to  be  proportionate,  and  to  have  above  each  a  double  arch  (thirteen  inches) 
finished  off  smooth.  The  frame  of  the  cupola  to  be  run  up  through  the  center  of  the 
house-top  ;  in  the  corners  of  the  house,  on  the  lower  floor,  will  be  a  fire  place  of  conven- 
ient size,  and  above,  in  the  jury  rooms,  in  the  northwest  and  southwest  corners,  a  small 
fire  place,  and  in  the  northeast  corner,  above  the  gallery,  will  be  left  a  space  and  flue  for 
a  stove  pipe  ;  chimneys  to  be  run  out  five  feet  above  each  corner  of  said  building  ;  the 
short  joist  will  be  three  by  ten  inches  ;  the  long  joist  four  by  ten  inches  ;  making  a  round 
foundation  for  a  circular  cupola  ten  feet  in  diameter,  three  feet  above  the  roof,  and  closed 
in  so  as  to  make  a  roof  to  keep  out  the  rain  ;  a  square  roof,  with  an  eave  all  around,  sheet- 
ing jointed,  and  laid  close,  and  with  good  and  sufficient  and  suitable  jointed  shingles 
eighteen  inches  long,  and  to  show  six  inches  :  all  of  which  work  shall  be  done  in  work- 
like  manner  ;  and  the  timber  of  said  building  shall  be  of  the  most  suitable  kind :  the 
sills  of  the  windows  and  doors  are  to  be  of  black  walnut,  three  inches  thick,  and  of  suffi- 
cient width  :  the  walls  to  be  jointed  and  penciled :  which  shall  be  advertised  by  the  Clerk 
in  the  Jacksonville  paper  (Patriot)  three  insertions  ;  to  be  let  to  the  lowest  bidder  on  the 
iirst  Monday  of  June  next ;  which  building  is  to  be  completed  according  to  the  contract 
on  or  before  the  first  day  of  November,  1834. 

An  advance  of  one-fourth  of  the  bid  will  be  made  to  the  undertaker  so  soon  as  com- 
menced, in  order  to  carry  on  the  building,  one-fourth  to  be  paid  when  the  contract  is  half 
done,  one-fourth  when  the  contract  is  completed  and  received,  and  one-fourth  at  the  ex- 
piration of  nine  months  from  the  time  the  contract  and  work  is  received  by  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court.  Bond,  with  approved  security  or  securities,  will  be  required  to  be 
given  in  a  penalty  of  double  the  amount  of  the  undertaker's  bid,  which  penalty  will  be 
required  as  a  forfeiture  in  case  the  contract  is  not  complied  with  in  every  respect. 

James  Clarke,  Moses  Hentoa  and  Benjamin  T.  Xaylcr  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  court  as  a  committee  to  superintend  the  erection  of 
the  building.  George  Miller  and  John  T.  Bishop  were  awarded 
the  contract  for  the  stone  and  brick  work  for  the  sum  of  two  thou- 
sand four  hundred  and  ninety-eight  dollars.  They  immediately 
entered  upon  the  work,  and  in  due  time  completed  their  under- 
taking to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1835,  a  further  contract  was  made 
by  the  county  with  Morris  Roberts  and  David  F.  Martin  to  com- 
plete the  inclosure  of  the  building  for  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
three  hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars.  This  part  of  the  work  was 
finished  and  accepted  in  the  spring  of  1836.  A  further  contract 
was  made  with  Benjamin  T.  Xaylor  and  Robert  A.  Brazleton  for 


36 

the  completion  of  the  wood  work,  painting,  etc.,  for  one  thousand 
dollars.  Their  part  of  the  work  gave  satisfaction,  was  accepted 
by  the  court,  and  McDonough  county  had  a  Court  House  in  which 
her  citizens  felt  a  just  pride.  It  was  built  at  a  total  cost  of  four 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-two  dollars. 

By  permission  of  the  contractors,  Circuit  Court  was  held  in  the 
building  in  the  fall  of  1836,  and  all  other  courts  immediately 
thereafter.  It  was  used  for  all  county  purposes  thenceforward 
until  the  year  1869,  a  period  of  thirty-three  years,  save  during 
the  years  between  1860  and  1866.  In  the  former  year,  while  Hon. 
C.  L.  Higbeewas  making  apolitical  speech  in  the  courtroom,  the 
walls  of  the  building  began  to  crack,  and  there  was  a  general 
stampede  of  the  crowd.  In  a  moment's  time  the  Judge  had 
naught  but  empty  benches  to  address.  Campbell's  Hall  was  then 
secured  for  court  purposes,  and  was  so  used  until  the  spring  of 
1866,  when  the  walls  of  the  Court  House  were  patched  up,  and  the 
building  again  used.  It  was  never  regarded  safe,  however,  and 
the  crowds  assembled  there  were  always  in  fear  the  walls  would 
give  way  and  destruction  would  be  their  doom.  In  consequence 
of  this  state  of  affairs  the  Sheriff  and  his  bailiffs  could  never  keep 
order,  and  the  patience  of  the  Judge  was  sorely  tried.  On  the 
least  noise  being  heard,  the  timid  would  precipitately  retire  from 
the  room.  The  Judge  could  stand  it  no  longer,  so,  in  1868,  he 
publicly  declared  that  McDonough  county  must  have  a  new  and 
better  Court  House.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  immediately 
acted  upon  the  suggestion  of  the  court,  and,  as  a  result,  we  have 
the  present  magnificent  building. 

The  expenses  of  the  county  up  to  this  time  were  very  small  in- 
deed, nearly  all  being  incidental  to  its  organization.  The  county 
was  organized  July  3,  1830,  and  for  the  six  months  remaining  in 
that  year,  paid  out  $78  25  ;  for  the  year  1831,  the  sum  of  $436  42J; 
and  in  1832  was  paid  $510  01J.  From  this  it  appears  that  our 
public  officers  were  as  economical  as  are  those  of  the  present  day. 
A  little  seeming  extravagance  may  be  manifest  (at  least  it  would 
so  seem  to  the  present  generation)  in  this  account  allowed  James 
M.  Campbell  for  clothing,  opium  and  tobacco  furnished  certain 
paupers.  The  two  latter  articles  are  now  hardly  considered  among 
the  necessaries  of  life,  however  they  may  have  been  regarded  then. 
Other  equally  strange  matters  are  upon  record,  as  for  instance,  in 
1831,  the  rate  for  tavern  license  was  $6  50  per  year,  and  for  mer- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  37 

cautile  license  $5.  In  1833  tavern  license  was  reduced  to  $3,  and 
mercantile  raised  to  $15,  which  was  again,  in  1835,  raised  to  $25, 
while  tavern  license  remained  about  the  same.  Would  not  saloon 
keepers  of  the  present  day  be  happy  if  they  could  obtain  license 
for  the  small  sum  of  §3  per  year,  and  by  it  enjoy  the  protection  of 
the  law? 

At  the  April  term  (1834)  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court, 
William  Willis  was  appointed  County  Treasurer,  his  bond  being 
fixed  at  $2,500.  He  only  retained  the  office  one  month,  when 
Resin  Baylor  was  again  reappointed. 

In  June,  1832,  a  battalion  of  men  was  raised  in  this  and  Warren 
counties,  under  call  of  the  Governor,  for  service  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  The  organization  was  effected  at  Macomb,  the  War- 
ren county  men  coming  to  this  place  for  that  purpose.  Samuel 
Bogart,  of  McDonough,  was  chosen  Major;  Peter  Butler,  of  War- 
ren, Captain  ; McAllen,  of  Warren,  First  Lieutenant ;  John 

Wilson,  of  McDonough,  Second  Lieutenant.  They  marched  to 
the  town  ofOquawka,  and  they  were  there  stationed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  guarding  the  frontier.  They  were  out  eighty-six  days, 
but  performed  no  special  service.  They  drew  their  rations  regu- 
larly, ate  heartily,  played  euchre,  and  visited  the  friendly  Indian 
camps  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  At  the  expiration  of  their 
term,  they  all  returned  to  Macomb,  and  received  their  discharge. 

The  following  were  among  the  number  serving  in  this  war : 
Major  Samuel  Bogart,  Lieutenant  John  Wilson,  David  Clarke, 
James  M.  Campbell,  Abraham  Dover,  J.L.  Russell,  Larkin  Osborne, 
Jefferson Penniugton,  Mr.  Shannon,  William  Tetherow,  Asa  Cook, 
Mr.  Langley,  Solomon  Osborne,  Orsaruus  Farrington,  David 
Tetherow,  Iraby  Job,  Andrew  Calhoun,  Berry  Jones,  Uriah  Cook, 
Daniel  Campbell,  Shadrack  Goens,  John  McFadden,  George  Teth- 
erow, William  Southward,  Lacy  Jones,  Samuel  P.  Lewis,  James 
Tetherow,  Lewis  F.  Temple,  James  C.  Head,  Isaac  Morris,  Nicholas 
Campbell. 

This  battalion  was  mounted,  each  man  furnishing  his  own 
horse,  and,  as  remarked,  were  out  eighty-six  days,  and  received 
therefor  the  remunerative  sum  of  eighty-six  cents  per  day  for  self 
and  horse.  Afterward  the  general  government  was  kind  enough 
to  give  to  each  participant  a  bounty  of  eighty  acres  of  land. 

A  number  of  instances  are  related  of  the  sudden  change  in  the 
temperature  of  the  weather  from  comparative  warmth  to  extreme 


38  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

cold.  On  the  sixteenth  day  of  March,  1832,  David  Clarke  and 
William  Carter  were  returning  from  Frederick  to  Macomb,  each 
with  a  wagon  load  of  goods.  On  the  morning  of  this  day  they 
left  the  residence  of  a  man  living  near  Doddsville,  and  proceeded 
about  one  mile  when  it  became  so  cold  they  could  go  no  further. 
Unhitching  their  oxen  from  the  wagons,  they  broke  for  the  near- 
est house,  barely  reaching  it  alive.  On  this  same  day  two  men 
left  Blandinsville  for  Fort  Madison,  the  weather  at  starting  being 
comparatively  pleasant.  They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance 
when  they  discovered  they  were  freezing.  One  of  the  party  hur- 
ried oft  for  help,  which  was  obtained,  and,  on  going  back,  the 
other  party  was  found  but  a  short  distance  from  where  he  was  left 
frozen  to  death.  Again  on  the  morning  of  the  same  day,  a  man  left 
Macomb  for  his  home  near  Blandinsville,  or  Job's  settlement,  and 
had  reached  the  prairie  on  the  north  when  the  change  in  the 
weather  occurred.  Unhitching  his  oxen,  he  started  them  toward 
the  timber,  at  the  same  time  catching  hold  and  holding  on  to  their 
tails.  The  oxen  brought  up  at  a  house  not  very  far  distant,  and 
the  man  endeavored  tc  loosen  his  hands,  but  was  unable  to  do  so* 
and  the  inmates  of  the  cabin  were  compelled  to  pull  him  loose,  the 
entire  skin  of  his  hands  coming  off  in  doing  so. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  39 


CHAPTEK  IV. 

THE    LOST    CHILD. 

The  incidents  related  in  the  following  story  will  readily  be  re- 
called to  mind  by  every  old  settler  of  the  county.  This  story 
was  first  published  in  the  Macomb  Journal,  January,  1874, 
and  was  written  by  Miss  Imogeue  Updegraff,  daughter  of  Joseph 
P.  Updegraff,  of  Macomb,  the  facts  being  furnished  by  the  latter. 
The  article  was  read  with  the  greatest  interest,  and  a  demand  made 
that  we  give  it  permanent  form  in  this  history  : 

One  Sunday  afternoon,  in  August,  1834,  two  of  the  older  sons  of 
Ephraim  Palmer,  living  near  the  line  separating  Walnut  Grove 
from  Macomb  township,  with  several  of  the  younger  children, 
went  out  to  obtain  some  melons,  growing  a  short  distance  from  the 
house.  After  obtaining  all  they  desired,  they  returned,  and  as 
they  neared  the  house,  the  mother  came  out  to  meet  them,  and 
anxiously  inquired  : 

"  Jonathan,  where  is  Willie?     Didn't  he  go  with  you  ?" 

"  Couldn't  say,  mother ;  there's  always  so  many  of  the  small  fry 
at  my  heels  that  I  don't  stop  to  count  them." 

"  Jonathan,  my  son,  you  shouldn't  speak  so.  What  if  Willie 
should  be  lost?" 

"No  danger,  mother;  he'll  turn  up  soon  enough." 

But  the  heart  of  the  mother  was  not  to  be  comforted  in  such  a 
way.  She  was  in  constant  dread  of  some  of  her  little  ones  wander- 
ing away  and  being  lost,  and  possibly  being  devoured  by  wolves, 
which  infested  the  country  at  the  time. 

After  looking  around  for  some  time,  Mrs.  Palmer  again  ex- 
pressed her  anxiety  by  saying  : 

44  Jonathan,  I  am  sure  Willie  did  go  to  the  patch  with  you.  I 
have  looked  everywhere,  and  cannot  find  him." 

The  father,  just  aroused  from  a  nap,  said  : 


40  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

"  Come,  boys,  let's  return  to  the  patch.  I  have  no  fears  the  lit- 
tle one  is  lost,  but  it  will  relieve  the  anxiety  of  your  mother." 

Back  to  the  patch  they  went,  but  no  traces  of  the  child  could 
be  found,  and  they  returned  to  the  house,  trusting  to  find  him 
there.  But  not  so.  The  family  were  now  fully  aroused  and  feared 
the  worst.  They  searched  in  the  corn,  on  the  prairie  near  the 
field,  and  through  the  timber,  but  still  no  trace  of  the  lost  one. 

Night  coming  on,  the  mother's  anxiety  knew  no  bounds,  and 
as  the  hours  passed,  she  would  cry  out  again  and  again  : 

"O  my  child  !  My  precious  Willie!  Where  is  he?  Have  the 
wolves  torn  him  to  pieces  ?  Has  my  little  boy  been  drowned  ? 
Go  look  for  him  again  !  My  God,  I  shall  go  wild !" 

Palmer  and  his  sons  continued  looking  for  the  child  until 
morning,  but  becoming  convinced  it  was  useless  to  pursue  the 
search  alone,  the  boys  started  with  all  speed  to  the  nearest  settle- 
ment for  help.  Levi  Hamilton  was  the  nearest  neighbor,  and  he 
lived  three  miles  away.  Quite  a  number  volunteered  in  the  search 
from  Macomb,  among  whom  were  Col.  William  Bailey,  J.  M. 
Campbell,  James  Clarke,  David  Clarke,  J.  L.  Russell,  J.  W. 
Westfall,  Thompson  Chandler,  Charles  Chandler,  J.  L.  Anderson, 
J.  P.  Updegrafi,  and  it  may  be  others.  Some  went  from  Job's 
settlement,  Carter's  settlement,  and  other  points.  Col.  William 
Bailey  was  selected  as  leader,  and  search  was  begun  in  a  very 
thorough  and  systematic  manner.  A  critical  survey  of  the  field 
was  made;  not  a  corn  row  or  fence  corner  escaped  unnoticed.  Not 
even  a  track  was  found  to  keep  alive  the  fast  fading  hope  that  had 
been  so  bright  a  little  while  before.  The  prairie  south  of  the  field 
was  next  traversed,  and  then  the  timber,  and  at  night  the  party 
returned  with  no  tidings  of  the  lost  child. 

Tuesday  morning  dawned  bright  and  beautiful.  Ere  this  the 
tidings  of  a  "lost  child"  had  reached  the  most  distant  settlements, 
and  many  came  to  assist  in  the  search,  even  from  Schuyler  and 
Fulton  counties.  The  sad  tidings  were  carried  from  cabin  to 
cabin,  until  the  whole  community  was  aroused. 

On  the  second  day,  there  being  a  greater  number  of  men,  longer 
lines  were  formed,  and  they  were  thus  enabled  to  traverse  a  larger 
scope  of  country  than  on  the  day  previous. 

The  interest  taken  in  the  search  was  unparalleled.  The  dis- 
appearance of  the  child  was  so  mysterious,  and  apparently  beyond 
solution,  that  great  interest  was  awakened.  On  this  day  the  prai- 


HISTORY-  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  41 

rie  was  scoured  as  far  south  as  "Wolf  Grove,  and  also  a  large  body 
of  timber  following  the  course  of  Crooked  Creek. 

As  the  day  wore  on,  many  became  discouraged  and  gave  up  the 
search,  and  when  darkness  surrounded  them  the  entire  party  was 
nearly  hopeless.  Again  they  were  compelled  to  report  no  tidings 
of  the  loved  and  lost. 

Only  one  section  of  the  couutry  now  remained  to  be  searched, 
and  those  who  still  cherished  a  taint  hope  determined  to  come 
again  on  the  morrow  and  spend  one  more  day  in  quest  ot  the 
child. 

Another  long  night  of  suspense,  and  then — who  could  tell  what 
the  day  would  bring  forth? 

Wednesday  morning  found  the  disappearance  of  the  child  still 
an  unsolved  mystery.  Three  nights  of  ceaseless  restlessness,  and 
days  of  suspense  and  hopeless  agony,  left  the  mother  in  a  danger- 
ous condition.  Completely  exhausted,  both  in  mind  and  body, 
she  lay  unconscious  of  everything,  save  the  loss  of  her  child. 
Hours  of  weeping  and  prayer  had  prostrated  the  over-taxed  nerv- 
ous system,  and  the  only  sign  of  consciousness  was  her  frequent 
moaniugs.  The  other  members  of  the  family  were  worn  out. 
Their  aching  limbs  refused  to  longer  carry  their  tired  bodies,  and 
they  were  denied  even  the  poor  relief  of  action. 

All  day  Wednesday  the  search  was  renewed.  Xight  came  on, 
and  yet  the  mystery  of  the  little  one  seemed  no  nearer  a  solution 
than  when  the  day's  work  began.  The  faithful  friends  now  de- 
spaired of  finding  the  child  alive.  A  few  men  agreed  to  come  the 
next  day  and  help  those  who  were  still  sanguine  of  success  to  ex- 
plore the  country  farther  down  the  creek. 

Thursday,  the  fourth  and  last  day  of  the  search,  was  a  beautiful 
one  indeed.  With  the  morning  came  the  friends  who  were  to 
make  one  last  desperate  effort  to  obtain  some  clue  to  the  child's 
fate. 

Palmer  and  his  sous  had  taken  some  rest,  and  early  in  the  morn- 
ing were  on  their  feet  ready  to  resume  the  search. 

The  company  organized  in  two  parties,  one  going  south  to 
strike  Crooked  Creek  at  Wolf  Grove  and  work  up  stream,  the 
other  commenced  among  the  head  waters,  where  darkness  had 
compelled  them  to  stop  the  night  before. 

Before  night  they  hoped  to  search  the  entire  length  of  the 
stream,  searching  all  the  branches  and  country  on  either  side,  un- 


42  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

less  it  be  rendered  unnecessary  by  finding  some  traces  of  the  lost 
one.  In  this  way  they  worked  all  forenoon  without  finding  any- 
thing to  reward  their  labor,  and  some  were  ready  to  give  up;  but 
when  word  was  brought  to  them  that  the  mother's  life  seemed  to 
depend  entirely  on  the  return  of  her  child,  they  were  touched  with 
her  utter  helplessness,  and  feared  to  abandon  the  search  lest  de- 
spair should  snap  the  frail  link  that  held  her  soul  to  earth.  So 
they  worked  on,  some  still  eager  to  be  the  lucky  one  to  discover 
the  boy. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  when  the  two  parties  had 
advanced  to  within  a  mile  of  each  other,  Crosby  Bowman,  one  of 
the  men,  working  down  stream,  espied  something  in  the  mud  that 
looked  like  the  print  of  a  little  bare  foot;  but  it  was  so  nearly  ob- 
literated by  the  washing  of  the  water  that  he  could  not  be  at  all 
certain.  He  looked  farther  up  the  bank  in  hope  of  finding  tracks 
that  the  water  had  not  reached,  but  not  the  slightest  impression 
was  to  be  seen. 

Passing  the  word  along  the  line — "look  closely  along  the 
banks,  a  track  has  been  seen" — they  advanced  in  the  direction  in- 
dicated by  the  foot  mark.  Some  yards  from  the  first  impression 
another  was  seen,  and  presently  another,  until  the  men  were  half 
wild  with  joy  and  excitement.  They  followed  the  trail  backward 
until  convinced  that  there  could  be  no  mistake ;  then  turned  back 
to  where  it  led  directly  into  the  stream.  The  water  was  waded 
out  to  the  middle  of  the  creek  and  measured.  The  depth  turned 
their  joy  to  sadness,  for  it  would  reach  the  boy's  chin  ;  and  now 
they  felt  sure  that  he  had  been  drowned  in  attempting  to  cross.  A 
runner  was  sent  to  the  other  party,  and  all  began  the  sad  task 
of  dragging  the  creek  for  the  body  of  the  brave  boy. 

The  poor  father  and  sons  could  work  no  longer.  Xow  that 
hope  was  dead,  their  strength  forsook  them  and  they  could  only 
wait  for  their  friends  to  recover  the  body. 

"Hold !"  cried  one.  As  they  worked  near  the  opposite  bank 
other  foot-prints  were  seen.  Could  it  be  that  the  child  crossed  the 
deep  water  in  safety  ?  Yea,  it  was  a  trail.  Filled  with  joy  and 
surprise,  they  left  the  water  and  turned  to  the  land.  Father  and 
brothers  were  strong  once  more  and  led  the  way.  The  trail  fol- 
lowed the  creek  for  some  distance,  then  struck  out  into  the  bushes. 
North  of  the  creek,  some  two  or  three  miles  from  Walnut  Grove, 
was  a  blackberry  region,  and  the  trail  led  through  the  thickest 
places.  It  was  wonderful  to  think  a  little  child  could  make  his 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  4& 

way  th  rough  the  dense  thickets  without  being  sadly  torn  by  the 
briers.  The  path  of  the  little  bare  feet  was  very  crooked,  going 
this  way  and  that,  in  and  out,  back  and  forth,  after  every  ripe 
berry  the  hungry  little  tellow  had  espied.  The  berries  were  all 
gone  along  the  trail,  and  it  was  very  evident  the  venturesome 
rogue  had  been  having  a  blackberry  excursion  on  his  own  hook. 
But  as  they  left  the  bushes  the  trail  grew  indistinct  and  then 
stopped.  They  pressed  forward  with  all  possible  speed,  at  the  same 
time  proceeding  cautiously  for  fear  of  frightening  the  child. 
Some  who  had  been  through  all  the  four  days  were  still  eager  to- 
be  first  in  catching  a  glimpse  of  the  boy.  They  worked  on  until 
about  a  half  mile  from  the  creek,  when  Henry  Russell,  one  of  the 
party,  peering  through  the  bushes,  spied  something  in  the  dis- 
tance dodging  about  from  bush  to  bush.  He  looked  again  and 
this  time  got  a  full  view  of  the  long-sought-for  child,  standing  up 
by  a  bush  eating  berries.  Word  went  along  the  line: 

"  Silence,  the  boy  has  been  seen." 

They  crept  up  noiselessly,  but  when  quite  near,  the  boy  saw 
them  and  started  to  run. 

George  Miller  advanced  toward  the  child  and  held  out  a  biscuit. 
He  evidently  regarded  them  at  first  sight  as  something  frightful, 
and  showed  signs  of  having  forgotten  his  past  life,  and  of  having* 
become  a  child  of  the  woods.  Miller  advanced  slowTly,  saying : 

"Willie,  don't  you  want  a  biscuit?  Don't  Willie  want  to  go- 
home  and  see  mamma  ??? 

The  child  eyed  him  curiously  as  if  trying  to  tell  what  he  meant,, 
but  seeing  the  biscuit,  came  slowly  forward,  as  if  afraid,  and  when 
near  enough  snatched  the  bread,  ran  back  a  little  way,  stopped 
and  ate  it  as  if  half  starved.  They  let  him  finish  the  biscuit,  then 
coaxed  him  nearer,  and  finally  one  of  them  lifted  him  up  to  Mil- 
ler, who  had  mounted  his  horse.  The  little  fellow  did  not  like 
that,  however.  As  he  had  got  to  be  quite  a  pedestrian  he  seemed 
to  prefer  walking.  He  kicked  and  screamed,  and  seemed  for  the 
first  time  to  remember  that  he  could  talk  a  little.  They  had 
hard  work  to  pacify  him,  but  finally  he  gave  up,  and  they  started 
homeward. 

The  father  and  boys  were  not  in  the  line  when  the  boy  was- 
found,  but  had  gone  back  to  the  creek  to  follow  up  the  trail  once 
more. 


44 

Word  was  sent  to  them,  and  when  they  came  up  with  the  re- 
turning party,  the  child  knew  them,  and  they  were  so  overjoyed 
that  they  laughed  and  cried  by  turns. 

As  they  returned  home,  they  all  concluded  that  when  the 
other  children  left  the  watermelon  patch,  Willie  had  either  lagged 
behind,  or  went  back  after  another  melon,  and,  missing  his  way, 
started  out  in  the  direction  of  the  prairie  instead  of  the  cabin, 
wandered  out  across  the  prairie  toward  the  northeast,  crossed  the 
creek,  and  tarried  among  the  blackberries. 

They  found  where  he  had  slept  in  an  old  stump,  with  sprouts 
grown  up  all  around  it,  forming  a  kind  of  shelter. 

From  the  way  the  grass  was  tramped,  they  were  led  to  believe 
that  he  had  slept  there  several  times  and  used  it  for  a  place  of  re- 
treat. 

He  did  not  seem  to  have  worried  about  being  away  from  home, 
but  apparently  had  been  having  a  general  good  time,  eating  berries 
and  sleeping  in  an  old  tree. 

Several  had  gone  on  ahead  to  prepare  the  mother  for  the  com- 
ing of  her  child.  Among  them  was  the  Rev.  William  J.  Frazier, 
and  to  him  fell  the  delicate  task  of  breaking  the  news  to  the  al- 
most lifeless  woman.  He  entered  the  cabin  and  approached  the 
bed  on  which  the  poor  woman  lay.  He  spoke  to  her,  asking  if 
she  felt  better.  A  moan  was  her  only  answer. 

"My  good  woman,"  said  the  minister,  "  you  ought  not  to  grieve 
in  this  way.  Wouldn't  you  feel  better  to  sit  up  a  little?" 

"  No,  no,"  came  feebly  from  her  lips. 

"  My  dear  friend,"  said  he,  "  God  is  good— 

At  that  she  started  up  with  glaring  eyes,  and  cried  : 

"What  do  you  mean,  man,  by  telling  me  that  God  is  good, 
when  he  has  taken  my  Willie  away." 

"My  good  woman  calm  yourself;  God  is  good  to  those — " 

"Hush,"  she  cried,  springing  from  the  bed,  "  I  don't  believe  it, 
or  he  would  have  answered  my  prayers  and  brought  my  darling 
back." 

"  What  if  he  should  bring  Willie  back,  would  your  prayers  be 
answered  then  ?"  said  the  good  man. 
She  sank  back  on  the  bed  sobbing. 
"  Then  they  have  found  him  dead.     My  Willie  dead  ?" 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  45 

"  Dear  friend,  what  if  the  good  Lord  should  bring  him  back 
alive  ?" 

She  started  to  her  feet,  seized  hold  of  the  minister,  and  said 
hoarsely : 

"  Speak  out,  man.  What  do  you  mean  ?  Don't  torture  me 
longer.  Tell  me,  tell  me!  have  they  found  him?" 

"  Yes,"  said  the  minister,  "  they  have  found  him  safe  and  well." 

She  sank  at  the  man's  feet  in  a  swoon.  They  soon  restored  her 
to  consciousness,  and  the  party  came  in  with  the  child.  She  caught 
him  in  her  arms,  sobbing : 

"  Oh,  Willie,  my  darling  boy !  Safe,  safeatlast !  Don't  Willie 
know  mamma?"  smiling  through  her  tears. 

"Yes,  I  know  mamma,"  lisped  the  child.  And  the  poor  woman 
exhausted  herself  with  joy  as  she  had  done  with  grief.  Father, 
brothers  and  friends  stood  around  laughing  and  crying  for  joy.  It 
was  almost  night,  and  the  rescuers  returned  to  their  homes  with  a 
thousand  thanks  from  the  happy  family,  and  what  was  still  better 
—with  the  consciousness  of  having  done  their  whole  duty. 

The  young  men  who  then  took  part  in  the  search,  are  now  old 
or  have  passed  from  earth.  Forty  years  rolls  around  and  scarcely 
any  of  those  so  full  of  life  and  the  love  of  adventure  are  left  to  tell 
the  tale.  Then  they  were  full  of  hope  and  promise ;  now  only 
one  here  and  there  is  left  to  tell  us  of  pioneer  life  in  times  long 
gone  by. 


46  HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  V. 

MURDER    OF    JOHN    WILSOX. 

Previous  to  November,  1834,  there  was  no  event  in  the  history 
of  McDonough  county  calculated  to  arouse  any  particular  excite- 
ment among  her  citizens,  save  the  incident  of  the  lost  child,  an  ac- 
count of  which  we  publish  in  a  previous  chapter.  The  settlers  of 
that  day  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  their  way,  endeavoring  to  make 
for  themselves  and  families  a  home  in  this  unbroken  wildness. 
Their  little  troubles  were  settled  by  a  fair  tight,  and  a  friendly 
drink  afterward,  and  no  hard  feelings  were  entertained. 

A  year  or  two  previous  to  the  time  of  which  we  write,  Elias  Mc- 
Fadden,  his  son,  David,  and  son-in-law,  Wylie  McFadden,  with 
their  families,  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  the  farm  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  William  Hunter,  about  one  mile  south  of 
Macomb.  If  reports  are  correct,  all  were  of  an  over-bearing  and 
quarrelsome  nature,  and  from  the  first  trouble  ensued  between 
them  and  their  neighbors. 

John  Wilson^  the  murdered  man,  came  to  the  county  about  the 
same  time,  and  settled  on  what  is  known  as  the  "  Rutby  "  Wilson 
farm,  adjoining  McFadden's,  now  Hunter's  place.  Wilson  was 
generally  respected  by  all ;  a  good-natured,  yet  bold  and  fearless 
man. 

The  McFaddens  and  Wilson  had  not  long  been  neighbors  be- 
fore there  was  trouble  between  them  in  reference  to  some  timber 
land  lying  near.  Threats  were  made  by  the  former  against  the 
latter,  and  at  the  time  of  the  murder,  as  it  afterward  was  shown, 
Wylie  McFadden  was  in  Rushville  consulting  Judge  Minshall  as 
to  whether  they  had  the  right  to  kill  Wilson  should  he  appear  on 
their  place. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  November,  1834,  an  execution 
was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Nelson  Montgomery,  Constable  and 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  47 

Deputy  Sheriff  of  the  county,  against  Wylie  McFadden,  directing 
him  to  levy  on  the  property  of  said  Wylie  McFadden  to  satisfy  a 
judgment  against  him  in  favor  of  Henton  &  Robinson,  merchants 
in  Macomb.  Mr.  Montgomery  took  the  execution  and  called  upon 
Wilson  to  accompany  him,  and  take  his  team,  that  he  might  haul 
away  a  certain  amount  of  corn  he  proposed  to  seize  to  satisfy  the 
claim.  Apprehending  no  danger,  Mr.  Wilson  agreed  to  accom- 
pany him.  Arriving  at  the  place,  they  were  met  by  Elias  McFad- 
den, who  engaged  them  in  conversation,  decoying  them  around  to 
the  north  side  of  the  house,  and  when  in  proper  range,  through 
the  window,  David  McFadden  committed  the  foul  deed,  shooting 
Wilson  down,  without  a  word  of  warning.  Mr.  Montgomery 
caught  him.  as  he  fell,  and  dragged  him  within  a  woodshed  and 
hurried  off  to  town  and  gave  the  alarm.  A  crowd  of  excited  peo- 
ple at  once  proceeded  out  to  the  scene  of  the  murder,  and  found 
Elias  McFadden  coolly  repairing  a  fence,  while  near  by  lay  Wilson 
in  a  supposed  dying  condition.  McFadden  was  at  once  arrested, 
and  search  was  made  for  the  then  unknown  murderer.  Search- 
ing the  house,  a  rifle  was  found  in  the  corner  near  the  ncrth  win- 
dow unloaded  ;  a  pane  of  glass  was  found  broken  out  of  the 
window;  a  book  laying  upon  the  sill,  and  the  sash  and  book  both 
powder-marked.  The  question  now  arose  who  committed  the 
deed.  Wylie  McFadden  was  supposed  to  be  away,  and  David  was 
not  known  to  be  near.  Searching,  footsteps  were  found  leading 
from  the  house  in  the  direction  of  the  residence  of  David  McFad- 
den, who  lived  just  across  the  hollow  on  the  west  side.  Follow- 
ing the  tracks,  they  were  led  to  the  door  of  David  McFadden's 
house;  and  going  in  they  found  him  at  work  on  a  shoemaker's 
bench,  as  entirely  unconcerned  as  his  father,  and  acting  as  inno- 
cently as  though  no  cold-blooded  murder  had  taken  place.  He 
was  at  once  arrested,  and,  in  company  with  his  father,  brought  to 
town  and  placed  under  guard,  to  await  the  result  of  the  wound  in- 
flicted upon  Mr.  Wilson.  Wylie  McFadden,  coming  home  the 
same  evening,  was  likewise  arrested. 

Mr.  Wilson  lived  some  days.  On  his  death  a  preliminary  ex- 
amination was  had  before  James  Clarke,  Esq.,  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  the  evidence  being  as  already  narrated,  and  the  three  men, 
Elias,  David  and  Wylie  McFadden  were  committed  to  the  county 
jail,  without  bail,  to  await  the  meeting  of  the  Circuit  Court. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  November,  1834,  the  grand  jury  found  a 
true  bill  of  indictment  against  the  three,  and  a  few  days  afterward 


48  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

they  were  brought  before  the  court;  a  change  of  venue  was  asked 
and  granted,  and  two  of  the  party,  Elias  and  David,  were  taken 
the  following  spring  (1835)  to  Rushville,  Schuyler  county,  for  trial. 
Wylie  McFadden  was  "discharged  by  the  Judge,  there  being  no 
evidence  against  him. 

George  Wison,  Alfred  Evans,  kelson  Montgomery,  Joseph  Up- 
degrafT,  J.  "W".  Brattle,  Moses  Henton,  William  J.  Frazier,  William 
Bowen,  Daniel  Bowen,  Perry  Keys,  and  James  Anderson  were 
each  placed  under  bonds  of  $300  to  appear  as  witnesses  in  the 
case. 

In  May,  1835,  the  case  was  called  in  the  Circuit  Court  at  Rush- 
ville,  and  Elias  and  David  McFadden,  father  and  son,  were  placed 
upon  trial  for  their  lives.  Judge  Young  presided,  and  Cyrus 
Walker  appeared  for  the  people  as  Prosecuting  Attorney,  while 
Judge  Min shall  assumed  the  hopeless  task  of  defending  the  mur- 
derers. 

The  trial  lasted  for  several  days,  Mr.  Walker,  well  known  as  the 
best  criminal  lawyer  in  the  West,  exerted  all  his  powers  to  weave 
around  the  murderers  a  chain  of  unimpeachable,  testimony.  Judge 
Minshall  defended  in  a  most  admirable  manner,  doing  all  for  his 
clients  that  it  was  possible  for  man  to  do,  but  without  avail.  In 
his  speech,  he  charged  the  Judge,  the  attorney  for  the  people,  and 
the  jury  also,  of  not  prosecuting,  but  persecuting  his  clients. 

As  was  expected,  the  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  of  murder  in  the 
first  degree,  and  upon  Judge  Young  devolved  the  duty  of  pro- 
nouncing the  sentence  of  death.  This  was  done,  and  in  due  time, 
upon  a  scaffold,  erected  in  a  hollow  near  the  city  of  Rushville, 
Elias  and  David  McFadden  paid  the  penalty  for  the  crime  com- 
mitted. Thomas  Hayden,  as  Sheriff  of  the  county,  erected  the 
scaffold,  and  his  son,  acting  as  Deputy  Sheriff,  pulled  the  drop  that 
launched  the  souls  of  the  guilty  men  into  eternity.  His  bill  of 
$1  50  for  hanging  the  guilty  wretches  is  now  on  file  in  the  County 
Clerk's  office  at  Macomb. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  record  of  the  second  murder  that  ever  oc- 
curred in  McDonough  county.  For  the  facts  in  the  case  we  are 
indebted  to  James  Clarke,  David  Clarke,  John  O.  C.  Wilson,  J. 
M.  Campbell,  and  others.  We  believe  the  story  is  as  exact  as  it  is 
possible  to  get  it  at  this  late  day,  and  only  in  minor  details  can 
exceptions  be  taken. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  49 


CHAPTER    VI. 

PERSONAL  INCIDENTS  AND  ANECDOTES. 

The  first  settlers  of  this  county  were  principally  from  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee,  and  brought  with  them  the  peculiarities,  as  well 
as  the  prejudices  of  the  people  of  those  States.  All  were  kind- 
hearted  and  given  to  hospitality ;  no  poor  wayfarer  was  turned 
hungry  from  their  doors  ;  even  the  despised  book  agent,  or  light- 
ning-rod peddler  would  have  met  with  a  cordial  welcome,  though 
luckily  they  were  never  bored  with  these  specimens  ot  the  genus 
homo.  But  there  was  one  peculiar  trait  about  these  early  settlers 
of  the  county — they  had  a  strong  prejudice  against  the  Yankees, 
and  hated  them  with  a  "righteous  hatred".  All  persons  born  in 
the  Eastern  and  Xew  England  States  were  Yankees  in  their  estima- 
tion. Capt.  Charles  R.  Hume,  of  Blandinsville,  a  York  state  man 
by  birth,  relates  the  following  personal  experience  in  illustration 
of  this  early  prejudice: 

"  I  came  to  this  State  and  county  in  1837;  purchased  east  half  of 
section  19,  5  north,  4  west,  and  then  went,  to  pass  time,  to  visit  my 
parents,  then  living  in  LaGrange  county,  Indiana. 

"  In  the  meantime  I  learned  that  on  my  land,  so  purchased,  there 
were  two  families  living,  then  called  'squatters.'  As  soon  as  I 
ascertained  this  fact  I  returned  and  called  on  these  persons  and 
informed  them  that  I,  a  stranger,  had  bought  the  land  on  which 
they  were  settled,  but  with  no  knowledge  that  there  was  any  set- 
tler on  said  land.  I  at  once  informed  them  that  I  had  bought 
said  half  section  for  $1000,  cash,  and  it  they  would  refund  to  me 
the  money  I  had  paid,  all  would  be  right ;  that  I  did  not  buy  with 
the  knowledge  that  the  land  was  occupied.  Occupants  at  once 
informed  me  that  they  had  no  thousand  dollars  to  pay  for  the 
land,  nor  did  they  ever  expect  to  have  so  much  money.  I  then 
H— 4 


50  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

informed  them  that  if  they  wished  to  give  me  possession  of  the 
land,  that  they  might  pick  two  men,  and  I,  a  stranger,  would  pick 
one,  the  three  to  fix  the  amount  I  should  pay  for  the  improve- 
ments that  had  been  made.  To  this  they  at  once  agreed.  The 
men  went  out  and  fixed  the  amount  I  was  to  pay.  I  paid  in 
cash  on  the  day  agreed,  and  so  we  separated.  They  went ;  I  re- 
mained. , 

"A  few  days  after  said  leaving,  being  an  old  'bach,'  arid  while 
preparing  my  morning  meal,  a  man  on  a  mule  rode  up  and  shouted  : 

"  'Who  keeps  house?' 

uBeing  entirely  unacquainted  with  this  manner  of  salutation,  I 
went  to  the  door  and  inquired  of  the  stranger  what  he  wanted. 
He  says, 

"'Come  down  here  and  I  will  tell  you  what  I  want.' 

"I  walked  down  to  see  my  newly-made  friend.     He  inquired, 

"  'Is  your  name  Hume  ?' 

"'Yes,  sir;  I  never  had  occasion  to  deny  my  name.' 

"  'Do  you  know  that  you  are  in  a  dangerous  place?' 

"  'AVill^ou  be  so  good  as  to  tell  me  as  to  my  danger?  Are  there 
any  wild  beasts  or  venomous  serpents  that  I  should  dread  ?  I  can 
hardly  suppose  my  neighbors  are  worse  than  wild  beasts  or  ven- 
omous serpents.' 

"I  then  said  to  my  visitor, 

"  'Come  down  off  your  mule  and  we  will  talk  this  over.' 

"He  replied, 

"  'I  shall  not  get  down.     I  have  told  you  all  I  was  sent  to  tell.' 

"I  then  informed  him  that  no  friend  of  mine  could  come  and  go 
without  partaking  of  my  good  cheer. 

"  'Dismount*   I  said. 

"  'I  will  not,'  he  replied. 

"I  then  drew  several  shooters,  and  told  my  friend  to  come  and 
see  my  arrangements,  for  if  he  did  not  so  come  I  would  shoot  him 
dead  if  my  fire-arms  proved  true.  He  went  in  with  me,  and  in- 
stead of  cooking  for  one  I  cooked  for  two,  and  we  ate  as  brothers. 

"From  that  day  to  this  I  have  suffered  no  reproach  by  being 
called  a  Yankee,  and  my  best  friends  are  those  from  the  south." 

But  there  were  some  of  the  "favored  ones"  who  did  not  have  it 
in  their  hearts  to  condemn  this  unfortunate  class,  and  were  ever 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  51 

ready  to  extend  a  helping  hand  to  them  as  well  as  others,  feeling  it 
both  a  privilege  and  a  duty  to  do  a  kind  act  for  all  such.  It  is 
related  of  Rev.  William  McKamy,  familiarly  known  as  "Uncle 
Billy  McKamy,"  that  at  an  early  day  a  "Yankee"  settled  in  his 
neighborhood,  'and,  upon  one  occasion,  being  in  need  of  some 
kind  of  an  agricultural  implement,  borrowed  it  of  rim.  On  re- 
turning it,  he  thanked  Uncle  Billy  for  the  favor,  and  enquired  of 
him  how  much  he  should  pay  for  its  use.  "Pay  !"  says  Uncle 
Billy,  "look  here,  my  friend,  you  don't  know  me,  do  you?  Xow, 
sir.  I  want  you  to  understand  that  whenever  I  have  anything  that 
you  wish,  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  come  after  it ;  and,  when 
through  with  it,  if  it  suits  your  convenience  to  return  it  do  so; 
if  not,  I  will  come  after  it  when  I  need  it.  I  want  you  to  under- 
stand farther,  sir,  that  whenever  you  have  anything  I  want,  I 
shall  come  and  get  it,  and  if  it  suits  my  convenience  to  return  it, 
I  shall  do  so;  if  not,  you  can  come  and  get  it."  The  point  was 
very  plain  to  Mr.  Yankee. 

As  illustration  of  a  neighborly  turn  the  old  settlers  were  always 
ready  to  show,  we  will  state  that  some  years  ago  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county,  an  unoccupied  quarter  of  land  was  entered  at 
the  same  time,  by  Messrs  Judd  &  Gowdy,  a  prominent  firm  of 
lawyers  in  Lewistowu,  111.,  and  a  Mr.  Grimm,  of  this  county. 
The  former  gentlemen  desired  it  for  speculative  purposes,  while 
the  latter  gentleman  desired  it  for  a  place  of  residence.  The 
party  first  occupying  the  land,  would,  of  course  be  entitled  to  it. 
Both  parties  hurried  their  preparations,  but  Judd  &  Gowdy  were 
a  little  too  fast  for  Mr.  Grimm.  The  neighbors,  (those  living 
anywhere  within  ten  miles)  all  sympathized  with  Mr.  Grimm, 
and  desired  that  he  should  occupy  the  land  rather  than  any  one 
Judd  '&  Gowdy  would  send  there.  After  Judd  &  Gowdy  had 
erected  their  building  and  placed  a  man  in  possession,  those 
, sympathizing  with  Grimm  met  to  consider  the  matter.  Various 
suggestions  were  made  as  to  how  they  should  get  rid  of  this 
obnoxious  neighbor;  finally,  one  suggested  that  if  fifty  or  one 
hundred  yoke  of  oxen  should  gather  around  that  house  some 
night,  and  that  house  should  follow  them  off  in  the  direction  of 
the  creek  no  one  would  be  to  blame  ;  there  was  no  law  against 
cattle  running  at  large.  Xothing  more  was  said,  Grimm  was 
advised  to  build  a  house  as  close  to  the  line  as  possible  and  await 
developments.  This  was  done.  A  short  time  after,  Judd  & 
Gowdy's  man  went  toLewistown.  That  night  a  large  number  of 


52  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

oxen  strayed  in  the  direction  of  the  house,  and  the  next  morning" 
it  was  no  where  to  be  seen  !  Grimm's  house  was  found  over  the 
line  on  the  quarter  in  question  ! 

On  the  return  of  the  man  employed  by  Judd  &  Gowdy,  he 
discovered  the  situation  in  a  moment,  and  returned  post-haste  to 
Lewistown,  and  the  would-be-owners  came  over,  and  with  the  aid 
of  a  search  warrant  found  the  house  down  on  the  creek !  The  aid 
of  the  grand  jury  was  invoked  at  their  next  sitting,  but  no  one 
could  be  found  who  knew  how  it  came  there.  Grimm  got  the 
laud.  We  would  not  recommend  the  practice  of  such  neighborly 
turns  being  practiced  at  this  time.  Trouble  might  ensue — our 
officers  being  quite  vigilant. 

About  1832  a  young  couple  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  In- 
dustry concluded  to  marry,  which  proceeding  was  opposed  by  the 
parents  of  both  parties.  But  whoever  knew  such  opposition  to 
avail  anything  ?  "  Love  laughs  at  locksmiths,"  and  no  impediment 
placed  in  the  way  of  a  loving  couple  is  too  great  to  be  removed. 
This  young  couple  had  determined  to  marry,  and  marry  they 
would  ;  so  one  morning,  bright  and  early,  they  left  their  homes  on 
foot  for  this  purpose.  Their  destination  was  Kauvoo,  then  the 
county  seat  of  Hancock.  When  a  little  way  beyond  Macomb, 
they  were  overtaken  by  brothers  of  both  parties,  who  urged  them 
to  return  and  be  married  at  home,  telling  them  their  parents  had 
consented  thatthe  ceremony  might  proceed.  Having  their  "dan- 
der up,"  in  consequence  of  the  opposition  previously  made,  they 
refused  to  return.  The  brothers  went  back  to  report,  and  the  fair 
couple  proceeded  on  their  way  to  Nauvoo.  They  arrived  at  the 
creek  west  of  Macomb  about  dark,  and  could  find  no  way  to  crossr 
the  water  being  high,  and  no  bridges  built.  They  would  not  turn 
back  to  seek  shelter  for  the  night,  but  lying  down  beside  of  a  large 
log,  slept  sweetly,  dreaming,  doubtless,  of  the  joy  in  store  forthem 
in  the  future.  When  the  morning  came  they  searched  up  and 
down  the  stream  until  they  discovered  a  log  thrown  across,  on 
which  they  passed  over  in  safety.  Arriving  in  Nauvoo,  the  young 
man  called  upon  the  County  Clerk  for  the  papers.  Being  a  little 
nervous,  as  one  is  apt  to  be  under  such  circumstances,  he  could 
not  make  his  wishes  known.  The  Clerk,  witnessing  his  embar- 
rassment, kindly  inquired  as  to  his  desires.  Coloring  up,  he 
blurted  out,  u  Have  you  got  any  nails  ?"  "  ]N~ails,"  said  the  Clerk,. 
"  why,  no  ;  this  is  not  a  store,  it  is  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk. " 
"  We-1-1,  then,  wh-what  do  you  ask  for  a  pair  of  license?"  The 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  53 

sum  was  named,  the  amount  paid,  the  papers  made  out,  and  the 
Clerk,  being  also  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  kindly  offered  to  "  tie  the 
knot."  The  blushing  bride  was  brought  in,  the  ceremony  per- 
iormed,  and  the  twain  went  on  their  way  rejoicing. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  when  the  arrangement  are  duly  made, 
with  the  consent  of  both  parties,  and,  seemingly,  the  truth  of  the 
old  proverb  that  "  true  love  never  runs  smooth  "  is  proven  false, 
that  circumstances  will  arise  by  which  all  arrangements  will  be 
frustrated.  One  evening  in  September,  1844,  a  large  party  assem- 
bled for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the  marriage  ceremony  of  Mr. 
Zachariah  A.  Gatton  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Alison,  at  the  residence 
of  the  latter,  a  few  miles  southwest  of  Macomb.  Great  prepara- 
tions had  been  made  for  the  event,  and  invitations  sent  out  to 
friends  throughout  the  country.  Just  before  the  hour  arrived  for 
the  performance  of  the  ceremony  it  was  made  known  to  the  bride- 
groom that  the  bride  was  an  Abolitionist.  Seeking  her  out,  he 
inquired  if  this  was  so.  She  responded  by  saying  it  was,  when  he 
urged  her  to  renounce  her  principles,  stating  he  could  never  wed 
an  Abolitionist.  "  Very  well/'  said  she,  "  I  will  not  renounce  my 
principles  for  the  best  man  living."  After  further  parley,  it  was 
agreed,  and  the  announcement  made  that  no  wedding  would  oc- 
cur. The  guests  were  invited  to  partake  of  the  supper,  after  which 
the  would-be  bridegroom  returned  to  his  home  minus  a  "better 
half." 

Some  rich  scenes  have  occurred  in  our  Justices'  Courts,  among 
which  we  relate  the  following: 

A  gentleman  having  failed  in  business  was  thought  to  have 
disposed  of  his  property  in  such  a  way  as  to  defraud  his  creditors, 
some  of  it  being  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  Mr.  P.,  who  was  arrested 
on  a  charge  of  concealing  the  goods.  In  the  trial  before  the 
justice  the  case  was  ably  argued  pro  and  con,  when  the  justice 
delivered  his  opinion  as  follows:  "It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court 
that  Mr.  P.  is  not  guilty ;  but,  look  here,  Mr.  P.,  let  me  admonish 
you  never  to  do  the  like  again." 

The  same  justice,  who,  by  the  way,  was  an  Irishman,  of  course, 
was  trying  another  case,  in  which  a  man  was  charged  with  steal- 
ing a  log-chain.  The  taking  of  the  chain  was  clearly  proven, 
and  not  denied  by  the  defense,  who  set  up  the  plea  that  there  was 
no  felonious  intent,  it'being  customary  in  this  country  when  one 
desired  to  use  some  article  owned  by  a  neighbor,  to  take  it  with- 
out asking.  When  the  justice  arose  to  give  his  opinion,  he  said  : 


54  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

"  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  Mr.  A.  is  guilty."  "What,"" 
said  the  counsel  for  the  defense,  jumping  to  his  feet,  "  do  you 
mean  to  say  that  my  client  is  guilty  of  felonious  intentions  in 
taking  the  chain  ?"  "  O,  no,  no ;  "  replied  the  justice,  "  it  is  the 
opinion  of  the  court  that  Mr.  A.  is  not  guilty."  And  so  it  was 
recorded  on  the  docket. 

Another  justice,  who,  at  that  time,  was  in  the  habit  of  partak- 
ing a  little  too  much  of  the  "  ardent,"  but  who  for  nearly  forty 
years  has  been  a  staunch  teetotaler,  was  engaged  in  trying  a  case 
in  a  room  used  by  himself  as  a  saloon,  when  a  half- drunken  man 
who  was  sitting  on  an  old-fashioned  spinning  wheel,  fell  over  and 
broke  it,  which  called  forth  an  oath.  The  justice  exclaimed: 

"  By ,  I  fine  you  five  dollars  for  swearing  in  court."  "Why, 

your  honor  swore,  too,"  said  the  man.  "  Did  I  ?  Well,  I  fine 
myself  five  dollars,  also." 

Some  forty  years  ago  there  lived  in  this  county  a  man  who 
imagined  himself  bewitched  by  a  woman  living  in  this  neighbor- 
hood. He  was  told  that  he  could  dispossess  himself  of  the  evil 
influence  by  making  a  drawing  of  the  woman,  placing  it  upon  a 
tree  and  shooting  it  with  a  silver  bullet.  This  he  did.  The 
woman  died  the  same  night,  and  the  man  was  told  he  would  be 
haunted  no  more,  as  the  woman  was  dead.  "  I  know  it,"  he 
replied,  "  I  killed  her."  The  same  confession  he  made  to  many 
others,  and  at  length  it  was  proposed  by  some  to  arrest  him  for 
the  crime.  He  acknowledged  his  guilt,  and  no  murderer  should 
go  unpunished.  He  was  promptly  arrested,  tried,  and  convicted 
on  his  own  testimony  and  acknowledged  guilt.  The  justice  ex- 
amining the  case,  immediately  sentenced  him  to  be  hung,  but 
in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  he  was  an  unconverted  man, 
remanded  him  to  the  jail  at  Macomb  for  spiritual  consolation,, 
and  to  make  due  preparation  for  eternity. 

It  is  needless  to  say  the  man  was  not  hung. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  this  county,  when  newspapers,  circus 
shows  and  minstrel  troupes  were  a  thing  unknown,  the  people  had 
to  devise  other  means  of  amusement  wherewith  to  while  away 
the  weary  hours.  We  find  them  occasionally  indulging  in  a  lit- 
tle "wee  bit  of  row,"  "just  for  the  fun  of  the  thing,"  after  which 
they  would  shake  hands  and  take  a  drink  'round.  But  in  prac- 
tical jokes  they  took  especial  delight.  Hon.  James  Mr.  Campbell 
was  frequently  the  subject  of  them.  Being  the  peoples'  servant, 


oo 


they  considered  they  had  a  better  right  to  make  him  the  butt  of 
their  jokes  than  an  ordinary  man,  but  none  were  exempt. 

On  a  certain  occasion,  Mr.  Campbell  had  advertised,  in  the 
manner  common  at  that  time,  for  some  men  to  split  rails  for  him. 
J.  P.  Updegraff,  well  known  to  all  our  readers,  and  Joseph  Hemp- 
stead,  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Campbell,  concluded  they  would 
have  a  little  fun  at  his  expense.  Hempstead  was  a  slim-built 
man,  but  UpdegrafF  held  his  own  then  as  now.  Hempstead  dis- 
guised himself  by  obtaining  the  largest  pair  of  pants,  vest  and 
coat  he  could  find,  and  encased  himself  in  them,  filling  up  with 
pillows,  making  himself  very  heavy,  fleshy-looking.  Mr.  Upde- 
grafl'  put  on  the  roughest  suit  he  could  find,  topping  oft'  with  a 
slouchy  hat  that  came  down  over  his  ears.  Each  taking  an  old 
maul,  wedge  and  axe  upon  his  shoulders,  and  giving  the  cue  to  a 
lot  of  their  friends,  who  preceded  them,  they  went  over  to  the  old 
court  house,  where  Mr.  Campbell  held  forth  as  circuit  clerk, 
county  clerk,  &c.  Passing  into  the  office,  they  enquired  for  Mr. 
Campbell.  Mr.  Campbell  who  was  engaged  in  writing  at  the 
time,  replied,  "I  am  the  man." 

"  We  understand  you  desire  some  rails  split,"  says  Mr.  UpdegrafF. 
who  acted  as  spokesman. 
"  I  do." 
"What  will  you  give?" 

"  Sixty-two  and  a  half  cents  per  hundred." 

"Is  it  good,  sound  timber?" 

"Yes." 

"  How  do  you  pay?" 

"Cash." 

"Every  Saturday  night?" 

"  Yes." 

"  You  won't  ask  us  to  take  trade?" 

"FQ." 

"  Well,  then,"  said  Mr.  U.,  who,  during  the  interview,  had  been 
standing  with  maul  and  axe  across  his  shoulder,  throwing  them 
down  on  the  floor,  "  if  you  want  your  rails  split,  bring  on  your 
timber." 

"By  Jiminie,  you  get  out  of  here,"  said  Mr.  Campbell,  as  the 
crowd  began  to  roar,  and  he  perceived  the  joke  played  upon  him. 


56 

A  correspondent  of  Clarke's  Monthly  furnished  the  following 
"good  one  "  on  Mr.  Campbell,  for  the  March  (1876)  number  of 
that  paper : 

When  the  Quincy  House,  Quincy,  Illinois,  was  first  built,  it  was 
considered  a  "big  thing  on  ice,"  and  the  pride  of  the  citizens 
of  the  "  Gem  city."  Our  honorable  Senator,  in  company  with 
Judge  Henry  L.  Bryant,  of  Lewistown,  visited  the  city  about  the 
time  of  the  formal  opening  of  the  house,  and,  of  course,  registered 
there.  They  were  assigned  rooms  in  the  third  story  of  the 
building,  and  were  there  but  a  few  hours  when  they  were  honored 
with  calls  from  General  John  Tilson  and  other  dignitaries  of  the 
city. 

At  this  time  total  abstinence  did  not  prevail,  and  our  friend, 
with  his  visitors,  had  wine,  brandy,  old  bourbon,  etc.,  brought  up 
to  the  room,  and  a  good  time  was  enjoyed  by  all.  After  having 
imbibed  a  few  times,  General  Tilson  invited  our  Senator  to  go 
through  the  house  with  him.  Showing  him  through  from  cellar 
to  garret,  the  last  place  visited  was  the  kitchen,  in  it  was  placed  a 
new  steam  cooking  apparatus.  Eyeing  the  thing  suspiciously  for 
a  moment  or  two,  Mr.  Senator  remarked  to  General  Tilson, 

"By ,  I  should  consider  this  a  dangerous  thing.  Suppose 

the  whole  thing  should  bust  up,  what  would  become  of  us  ?" 

"O,  there  is  no  danger,"  replied  the  General,  "they  have  an  ex- 
perienced cook  employed ;  one  who  thoroughly  understands  the 
principles  governing  steam." 

Returning  to  their  room,  and  having  been  absent  about  two 
hours,  of  course  it  was  time  to  take  another  drink.  As  they  were 
in  the  act  of  raising  the  glass  to  their  lips,  a  man  came  through 
the  hall  beating  a  gong.  ]N"ever  having  heard  the  musical  tones 
of  this  wonderful  instrument,  and  still  thinking  of  the  danger 
arising  from  the  steam  cooking  apparatus,  our  honorable  friend 
dashed  his  glass  down  and  yelled  out, 

"By ,  I  told  you  so  ;  the  whole  d d  thing  is  busted  up !" 

"  Better  Kilt  My  Half  Noiv"—One  year  David ,  of  Macomb, 

had  a  large  number  of  hogs,  but  no  corn  to  fatten  them,  and  as 
corn  was  very  high  and  very  scarce,  he  felt  as  did  the  man  who 
drew  the  elephant — he  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  them.  No 
one  then  was  disposed  to  buy  on  account  of  the  difficulty  in  ob- 
taining grain  to  fatten  them.  Phillip  ,  living  north  of  town 

some  four  or  five  miles,  had  a  large  quantity  of  grain  and  but  few 


57 

hogs,  so  David  made  a  proposition  to  him  to  take  the  hogs  and 
fatten  them  on  shares,  each  party  to  have  half  the  number  when 
killed.  Phillip  agreed  to  the  proposition,  but  when  he  called  for 
the  hogs  he  desired  to  make  a  proviso  to  the  original  contract  that 
if  he  found  the  hogs  were  eating  too  much  of  his  corn  he  should 
have  the  privilege  of  killing  and  delivering  David's  half  of  the 

number  at  any  time.  "  By ,"  said  David,  "  if  that's  your  game 

you  had  better  kill  my  half  now,  and  save  yourself  the  trouble  of 
driving  them  out  to  your  farm  !"  Suffice  to  say,  the  hogs  were 
not  taken  with  the  proviso. 

Judgment  for  the  Plaintiff. — A  case  for  the  recovery  of  a  certain 
sum  of  money,  said  to  be  due  from  A  to  B,  was  brought  before 

'Squire ,  and,  on  trial,  no  evidence  was  produced  that  A  was 

indebted  to  B  at  all,  yet  the  learned  'Squire  gave  judgment  for  the 
plaintiff.  The  attorney  for  the  defense  objected  to  the  verdict,  for 
the  reason  set  forth  above,  that  no  evidence  had  been  shown  that 

anything  was  due.  '•'  By ,"  said  the  'Squire,  u  do  you  think 

a  man  such  a fool  as  to  bring  suit  when  there  was  nothing 

owing  him  Jr' 

"  Pat  a  Little  Sugar  in  It." — The  boys  one  nightgotupon  a  little 
"lark,*'  and  conceived  the  idea  of  making  everybody  else  in  the 
town  as  drunk  as  themselves,  and  with  that  laudable  (?)  intention 
they  started  out.  Many,  of  course,  willingly  partook  of  the  prof- 
fered liquors,  but  one  man  refused  on  the  ground  that  he  had 
sworn  off.  But  what  cared  they  for  that  ?  Drink  he  must.  Time 
and  again  he  refused,  until  their  patience  was  lost,  and  closing  in 
on  him  they  threw  him  down,  and  as  they  were  in  the  act  of  pour- 
ing the  stuff  down  his  throat,  he  cried  out,  "  Boys,  if  you  will 
make  me  drink,  put  a  little  sugar  in  it." 


58  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1834-38. 

From  1834  until  1838  we  have  nothing  of  a  startling  nature  to 
narrate.  The  Board  of  County  Commissioners  held  their  meet- 
ings regularly  each  quarter,  with  now  and  then  a  called  meeting, 
and  a  number  of  orders  were  made  with  reference  to  public  im- 
provements. The  times  were  comparatively  easy  ;  new  settlers 
supplying  all  the  money  needed  to  carry  on  the  little  trade  re- 
quired by  the  actual  wants  of  the  people.  The  late  and  more 
fashionable  customs  of  society  had  not  yet  penetrated  these 
regions,  and  the  bonnet  and  shawl  worn  by  our  mothers  were 
not  cast  aside  after  the  first  season's  wear,  but  continued  to  do 
service  as  long  as  they  could  be  kept  whole.  Our  fathers  did  not 
aspire  to  broadcloth  suits  nor  beaver  hats,  but  were  content  with 
home-made  jeans  and  a  felt  or  straw  hat. 

When  the  County  was  organized  there  was  but  one  public  road 
running  through  it,  and  that  was  the  old  lead  mine  road  leading 
from  Beardstown  to  Galena,  passing  through  the  county  about  six 
miles  east  of  Macomb.  Galena,  at  this  time,  was  one  of  the  most 
important  points  in  the  State.  As  the  County  became  settled 
new  roads  were  laid  out.  More  than  four-fifths  of  the  entire  ex- 
penses of  the  county,  we  believe,  during  the  first  fifteen  years  of 
its  existence,  was  for  this  purpose.  Roads  were  not  then  run  upon 
section  lines,  as  now,  but  were  located  as  was  thought  best  for 
the  convenience  of  the  people.  The  broad  prairies  were  supposed 
to  be  useless,  and  would  never  be  settled  ;  therefore,  a  road  run- 
ning across  them  at  any  angle  would  hurt  no  one,  and  would  be  a 
convenience  for  all.  If  one  had  intimated  at  that  time  that  these 
prairies  would  sometime  be  dotted  over  with  farm  houses,  barns, 
school  houses  and  churches,  he  would  have  been  thought  a  fit 
subject  for  the  insane  asylum.  This,  no  doubt,  seems  strange  to 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  59 

our  younger  people  and  late  settlers  in  the  county,  but  at  that 
time  the  conclusion  arrived  at  seemed   reasonable.     In  the  first 
place,  the  question  of  fuel  had  to  be  taken  into  consideration  by 
the  early  settlers ;  coal  had  not  yet  been  discovered,  and,  of  course 
|  wood  had  to  be  procured.     In  the  second  place,  lumber  for  build- 
(  ing  purposes  was  required  ;  railroads  were  unknown,  and  lumber 
I  could  not  easily  be  imported.     For  these  reasons  our  fathers  set- 
tled in  the  timber — or  on  its  borders,  where  they  could  obtain 
i  material  for  the  erection  of  their  houses,  fences  for  their  lands, 
I  and  fuel  for  their  fires. 

The  nearest  and  most  convenient  route  from  settlement  to 
settlement  was  sought  for,  and  surveyors  were  so  instructed  to 
locate  roads.  To  show  the  difference  in  distance  between  points 
then  and  now,  we  state  that  a  finger  board  long  standing  just 
southeast  of  Macomb  read,  "To  Vermont,  17  miles."  It  is  now 
impossible  to  reach  the  place,  via  the  established  roads,  in  less 
than  twenty-four  miles  travel.  It  may  oe  thought  that  a  great 
saving  could  have  been  made  to  the  County  by  locating  the  roads 
as  they  are  now  run,  but  whether  this  was  made  whole  by  the 
convenience  and  saving  of  time  to  the  people  then,  is  a  question 
we  are  not  prepared  to  discuss. 

In  the  year  1835,  the  County  applied  to  the  State  for  relief  on 
account  of  the  expense  attending  the  keeping  and  trial  of  the 
McFadden's,  who  were  hung  for  the  murder  of  John  Wilson.  We 
have  searched  the  statutes  of  the  State  for  the  years  1835-6-7, 
and  find  no  act  passed  for  that  purpose,  and  suppose  the  request 
was  not  granted. 

On  the  eighth  day  of  September,  of  this  year,  Hon.  James  Yance 
filed  his  bond  before  the  County  Commissioner's  Court  for  the 
fourth  year,  as  Commissioner  of  School  Lands.  He  died  after 
holding^the  office  a  little  over  three  months,  and  was  succeeded  on 
the  seventh  day  of  December  by  Benjamin  T.  Naylor,  who  retained 
I  the  position  for  several  years. 

In  reference  to  the  expense  attending  the  trial  of  the  McFad- 
den's, we  find  on  the  books  of  the  County  Commissioner's  Court 
an  allowance  made  to  Thomas  Hayden,  Sheriff  of  Schuyler 
County,  for  the  sum  of  §1  50  "for  hanging  McFaddens."  If 
all  the  other  expenses  attending  their  trial  and  conviction  had 
been  as  reasonable,  we  can  see  no  reason  why  the  State  should 
grant  aid  in  the  case. 


60  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

In  the  year  1836  occurs  the  first  mention  of  the  letting  of 
paupers  to  those  who  would  care  for  them  for  a  consideration. 
This  custom  was  retained  until  about  the  year  1857,  when  a  farm  was 
purchased  by  the  County,  and  all  paupers  transferred  to  it  when 
thought  best  by  the  proper  officers. 

In  this  year  (1886)  Wesley  Wayland  came  before  the  County 
Commissioner's  Court  and  stated  that  he  had  given  a  certificate 
of  freedom  to  a  certain  negro  woman  wh^m  he  had  brought  with 
him  from  Kentucky  a  few  years  previous,  for  the  purpose  of 
acting  as  nurse  rto  his  invalid  wife.  We  believe  Mr.  Wayland 
had  been  taxed  on  this  species  of  property  since  1832,  and  had 
reached  the  conclusion  it  didn't  pay.  Elsewhere  we  have  given 
the  order  ot  the  County  Commissioners  instructing  the  assessment 
of  all  such  property,  which  order,  we  have  no  doubt,  was 
cheerfully  obeyed.  The  same  order  was  repeated  in  1837,  but 
whether  any  slave  was  held  in  the  County  at  that  time  we  can 
not  learn. 

The  effect  of  the  hard  times  throughout  the  United  States,  be- 
ginning in  1837,  was  not  felt  in  this  county  until  the  following 
year.  From  that  time  until  about  the  year  1815,  our  people  ex- 
perienced greater  financial  embarrassment  than  at  any  time  in  the 
previous  history  of  the  county.  Money  was  an  almost  unknown 
•commodity,  all  business  being  transacted  through  the  means  of 
trade  or  barter.  A  would  trade  B  flour  for  its  value  in  meal  ? 
B  would  trade  C  a  yoke  of  oxen  for  a  horse ;  D  would  trade  E  a 
half  dozen  hogs  for  a  cow,  &c.  If  money  enough  could  be  raised 
to  pay  the  general  taxes,  a  man  considered  himself  fortunate. 
Many  were  the  straits  to  which  the  people  were  led  to  make  both 
ends  meet,  and  many  laughable  incidents  are  narrated  of  the 
crooks  and  turns  that  were  made — incidents  that  are  laughable  to 
us  now,  but  were  serious  matters  at  that  time.  Notes  were  given 
for  value  received,  payable  in  a  cow,  or  a  horse,  or  other  prop- 
erty, and  when  the  note  came  due,  and  collection  was  to  be  made, 
it  would  sometimes  be  hard  for  one  party  or  the  other  to  make 
proof  of  it  being  that  which  was  described  in  the  note.  Many 
notes  were  held,  without  attempting  to  make  collection,  in  the 
hopes  that  better  times  would  dawn  upon  the  country,  and  their 
makers  be  able  to  pay  the  money.  William  Hamilton,  Esq.,  of 
Bushnell,  tells  us  that  he  gave  a  note  payable  in  a  black  cow, 
valued  at  a  certain  sum,  which  note  was  not  presented  for  pay- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  61 

ment  until  seven  or  eight  years  after  it  was  due,  its  holder  trust- 
ing to  receive  the  money — and  he  did  receive  the  money. 

During  these  hard  times  the  price  of  such  articles  as  our  peo- 
ple had  to  purchase  rapidly  advanced,  while  that  of  what  they 
had  to  sell  as  rapidly  declined.  Xew  Orleans  sugar  sold  at  16f 
cents  per  pound;  coffee,  25  cents;  calico,  50  cents  per  yard  ;  hogs 
brought  from  81  to  $1  25,  per  hundred  pounds,  and  no  market 
within  forty  miles  of  Macomb  ;  wheat  20  cents  per  bushel,  etc. 
What  would  our  farmers  think  should  such  prices  rule  now? 
There  would  be  very  few  palatial  residences  and  fine  outbuildings- 
erected  upon  their  lands  within  the  next  ten  years. 

As  an  illustration  of  those  terrible  times,  Richard  Penningtonr 
Esq.,  tells  us  the  following  incident  in  which  a  man  who  now 
ranks  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  of  Xew  Salem  town- 
ship prominently  figures  : 

"One  morning  while  I  was  out  looking  for  a  yoke  of  oxen,  I 
met  this  gentleman  whom  I  will  call  Mr.  X.  'Have  you  seen 
anything  of  my  oxen  ?'  I  inquired.  'Xo,  Richard,  I  have  not ;  but 
worse  than  that,  have  you  seen  anything  of  my  cows?'  I  replied 
that  I  had  not.  'Well,  Richard,  I  do  not  know  what  I  am  to  do. 
When  I  left  home  my  children  were  crying  for  something  to  eat, 
and  it  has  come  to  this  pass — no  cows,  no  breakfast;  no  cows,  no- 
dinner;  cows,  or  no  cows,  no  supper."3 

"  Talk  about  hard  times,"  said  Mr.  P.  to  us,  "when  I  hear  any- 
body talking  about  hard  times,  I  feel  like  narrating  the  above  in- 
cident, and  telling  them  if  it  is  as  bad  as  that  with  them,  they  may 
well  complain;  otherwise  not."  We  agree  with  him. 

Our  nearest  market  at  that  time  was  forty  miles  away,  being 
Beardstown  on  the  south,  and  Warsaw  on  the  west.  Our  mer- 
chants did  but  little  business  in  the  way  of  exportation,  and  what 
little  traffic  was  had  was  between  the  producer  here  and  the  ship- 
per at  one  or  the  other  of  the  above  points.  Xo  "  middle  men" 
were  employed. 

In  a  general  way  Ford,  in  his  "History  of . Illinois,"  well  de- 
scribes the  existing  state  of  things  in  this  county  at  that  time.  On 
pages  96-99  we  read  as  follows : 

"  Commerce  from  1818  to  1830  made  but  small  progress.  Steam- 
boats commenced  running  the  Western  waters  in  1816,  and  by  the 
year  1830  there  was  one  or  two  small  ones  running  on  the  Illinois 


62  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

river  as  far  up  as  Peoria,  and  sometimes  further.  The  old  keel- 
boat  navigation  had  been  disused,  but  as  yet  there  was  so  little 
trade  as  not  to  call  for  many  steamboats  to  supply  their  place. 
The  merchants  of  the  villages,  few  in  number  at  first,  were  mere 
retailero  of  dry  goods  and  groceries;  they  purchased  and  shipped 
abroad  none  of  the  productions  of  the  country,  except  a  few  skins, 
hides  and  furs,  and  a  little  tallow  and  beeswax.  They  were  sus- 
tained in  this  kind  of  business  by  the  influx  of  immigrants,  whose 
money  being  paid  out  in  the  country  for  grain,  stock  and  labor, 
furnished  the  means  of  trade.  The  merchant  himself  rarely  at- 
tempted a  barter  business,  and  never  paid  cash  for  anything  but 
his  goods.  There  was  no  class  of  men  who  devoted  themselves  to 
the  business  of  buying  and  selling,  and  of  making  the  exchanges 
ot  the  productions  at  home  for  those  of  other  States  and  countries. 
The  great  majority,  in  fact  nearly  all  the  merchants,  were  mere 
blood-suckers,  men  who,  with  very  little  capital,  with  small  stock 
of  goods,  and  with  ideas  of  business  not  broader  than  these  rib- 
bons, nor  deeper  than  these  colors,  sold  for  money  down,  or  on 
credit  for  cash,  which,  w~hen  received,  they  send  out  of  the  coun- 
try. Since  their  time  a  race  of  traders  and  merchants  has  sprang 
up  who  use  the  money  they  receive  in  purchasing  the  wheat,  corn, 
beef  and  pork  of  the  farmers,  and  ship  these  articles  to  the  East- 
ern cities. 

"Mather,  Lamb  &  Co.,  late  of  Chester,  in  Randolph  county,  but 
now  of  Springfield,  were  ,the  first  to  engage  in  this  business,  and 
they  were  led  to  to  it  by  the  refusal  of  the  United  States  Bank,  at 
St.  Louis,  to  grant  them  the  usual  facilities  of  trade.  As  they  could 
get  no  accommodation  from  the  bank,  they  fell  upon  this  course 
to  avoid  going  to  St.  Louis  to  purchase  Eastern  exchange. 

"The  money  they  received  being  again  paid  out,  remained  in  the 

.country  and  the  products  went  forward  in  its  place  to  pay  for 

stocks  of  goods.     The  traders  in  this  way  made  a  profit  on  their 

goods  which  they  brought  into  the  State,  and  another  profit  on 

the  produce  which  they  sent  out  of  it. 

"But,  as  yet,  the  merchant  generally  had  neither  the  capital  nor 
the  talent  for  such  a  business,  and  it  was  not  until  a  more  recent 
period— upon  the  going  down  of  the  United  States  Bank,  the 
consequent  withdrawal  of  facilities  for  exchange  in  money,  and 
the  high  rates  of  exchange  which  came  in  with  local  banks  of 
doubtful  credit — that  they  have  been  very  extensively  forced  into 
it.  When  they  no  longer  could  get  either  money  for  remittances 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  63 

to  these  eastern  creditors,  or  bills  of  exchange,  except  at  ruinous 
rates  of  premium,  they  at  once  saw  the  advantage  of  laying  out 
the  local  currency  received  for  their  goods  in  purchasing  the 
staples  of  the  country  and  forwarding  them  in  the  place  of  cash. 
In  very  early  times  there  were  many  things  to  discourage  regular 
commerce.  A  want  of  capital ;  a  want  of  capacity  for  the  busi- 
ness ;  the  want  of  a  great  surplus  of  productions,  the  continual 
demand  for  them  created  by  emigrants,  and  facility  of  carrying 
on  a  small  commerce  with  the  money  supplied  by  emigration 
alone,  all  stood  in  the  way  of  regular  trade. 

*'Xew  Orleans,  at  that  time,  was  our  principal  market  out  of 
the  State.  It  was  then  but  a  small  city,  and  shipped  but  a  trifle 
of  the  staple  articles  of  Illinois  to  foreign  countries.  Such  ship- 
ments as  were  made  to  it  were  intended  for  the  supply  of  the 
local  market,  and  here  the  Illinoians  had  to  compete  with  Ken- 
tucky, Ohio,  Indiana,  Tennessee  and  Missouri.  Any  temporary 
scarcity  in  this  market  was  soon  supplied,  and  the  most  of  the 
time  it  was  completely  glutted. 

"For  want  of  merchants  or  others  who  were  to  make  a  business 
of  carrying  our  staples  to  market,  our  farmers  undertook  to  be 
their  own  merchants  and  traders.  This  practice  prevailed  exten- 
sively in  the  western  country.  A  farmer  would  produce  or  get 
together  a  quantity  of  corn,  flour,  bacon  and  such  articles.  He 
would  build  a  flat- bottomed  boat  on  the  shores  of  some  river  or 
large  creek,  load  his  wares  in  it,  and,  awaiting  the  rise  of  water, 
with  a  few  of  his  negroes  to  assist  him,  would  float  down  to  Xew 
Orleans.  The  voyage  was  long,  tedious  and  expensive.  When 
he  arrived  there  he  found  himself  in  a  strange  city,  filled  with 
sharpers  ready  to  take  advantage  of  his  necessities.  Everybody 
combined  against  him  to  profit  by  his  ignorance  of  business,  want 
of  friends  or  commercial  connections,  and  nine  times  out  of  ten 
he  returned  a  broken  merchant.  His  journey  home  was  per- 
formed on  foot,  through  three  or  four  nations  of  Indians  inhabit- 
ing the  western  parts  of  Mississippi,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 
He  returned  to  a  desolate  farm,  which  had  been  neglected  since 
he  was  gone.  One  crop  was  lost  by  absence,  and  another  by  tak- 
ing it  to  market.  This  kind  of  business  was  persevered  in  aston- 
ishingly for  several  years,  to  the  great  injury  and  utter  ruin  of  a 
great  many  people/' 


64  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Ford  makes  some  deductions  in  reference  to  the  laws  of  trade, 
which  we  commend  to  all.  We  read  on  pages  99 — 101,  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"In  later  times,  after  the  steamboats  have  taken  the  place  of 
other  specie  of  navigation,  after  regular  dealers  and  business 
men  had  made  their  appearance  on  the  theatre  of  trade,  and  after 
New  Orleans  had  become  a  great  city,  and  a  great  mart  of  for- 
eign commerce,  there  were  still  other  difficulties  to  be  encountered 
of  a  very  formidable  character.  These  were  the  disposition  of 
the  people  not  to  sell  their  produce  for  the  market  price  and  to 
raise  no  surplus  whatever  unless  the  prices  were  high.  If  the 
trader  offered  one  price  the  farmer  would  ask  a  little  more,  and 
more  than  the  trader  could  afford  to  give  and  make  a  reasonable 
profit.  Let  the  price  be  what  it  might,  many  would  hold  on  to 
their  commodity  a  whole  year,  expecting  a  rise  in  the  market,  and  if 
the  price  was  low  they  would  cease  producing.  If  a  farmer  had  a 
surplus  of  corn,  wheat,  hogs  or  cattle  in  the  fall  season,  and  could 
not  sell  them  for  the  full  price  demanded,  he  would  keep  them 
until  next  year,  expecting  to  get  more  tor  them.  In  the  mean- 
time, he  would  lose  more  by  the  natural  loss  arid  waste  of  his 
property,  than  he  could  possibly  gain  by  increased  prices  next 
season.  I  have  known  whole  stacks  of  wheat  and  whole  fields 
of  corn  to  rot,  or  to  be  drabbled  out  and  wasted  to  no  purpose;' 
and  whole  droves  of  hogs  to  run  wild  in  the  woods  so  as  never  to 
be  reclaimed,  whilst  the  owner  was  saving  them  for  a  higher 
price.  He  suffered,  also,  by  laying  out  of  the  present  use  of  the 
money,  and  by  being  compelled  to  purchase  many  necessary  arti- 
cles on  a  credit,  at  a  higher  price  than  they  could  be  bought  for 
cash.  By  holding  back  for  a  higher  price,  he  suffered  loss  by  the 
natural  waste  of  his  property,  by  laying  out  of  the  use  of  his 
money,  by  losing  the  many  good  bargains  he  could  have  made 
with  it  in  the  meantime,  and  by  being  compelled  to  purchase  dear 
on  credit,  and  pay  a  high  interest  on  the  debt  if  not  paid  when 
due.  In  all  these  ways  he  lost  more  than  by  borrowing  money 
on  compound  interest,  and  yet  he  could  never  be  pursuaded  that 
it  was  for  his  advantage  to  sell  as  soon  as  his  articles  became 
marketable,  and  at  the  market  price. 

"This  practice  of  holding  up  property  from  the  market  unless 
the  owner  can  receive  more  than  the  market  price,  still  prevails 
.extensively  in  the  southern  and  some  of  the  eastern  parts  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  65 

State,  and  fully  accounts  for  much  of  the  difference  in  the  degree 
of  prosperity  which  is  found  there,  and  in  the  middle  and  north- 
ern part  of  the  State. 

"The  New  England  population  make  it  a  rule  to  sell  all  their 
marketable  property  as  soon  as  it  becomes  fit  for  market,  and  at 
the  market  price.  By  this  means  the  farmer  avoids  the  loss  and 
expense  of  keeping  it  on  hand.  He  has  the  present  use  of  its 
value  in  money,  and  makes  many  good  bargains  and  speculations 
which  could  not  be  made  without  a  little  ready  money.  He 
avoids  buying  on  credit,  or  rather  paying  interest  on  his  debt 
after  it  becomes  due.  Money  is  more  plenty,  and  the  people  are 
enabled  to  be  more  punctual  in  the  payment  of  their  debts.  The 
local  merchant  is  enabled  to  do  an  active  business.  He  is  always 
sure  he  can  purchase  to  the  extent  of  his  capital,  and  at  rates 
which  will  put  it  in  his  power  to  sell  at  a  profit.  In  this  manner 
the  farmer  prospers,  the  local  merchant  prospers,  the  miller  and 
manufacturer  prosper.  Loans  grow  up  rapidly.  Employment  is 
furnished  for  mechanics  and  laborers. 

"By  such  means  our  northern  people  are  enabled  to  build  up  a 
country  village  in  three  or  four  years,  as  large  as  a  county  seat  in 
the  south  of  twenty  years  standing." 

The  evil  effects  of  holding  on  for  higher  prices  we  have 
personally  noticed  many  times  in  our  short  life.  We  recall  one- 
instance  during  the  time  of  our  late  war.  AVhen  wheat  was  on 
the  rise,  a  farmer  living  near  Macomb,  had  on  hand  about  three 
thousand  bushels,  for  which  he  was  offered  $2  25  per  bushel;  he 
refused  to  sell,  stating  that  he  would  hold  until  he  could  get  $3  00 
per  bushel.  Wheat  continued  to  rise  in  price  until  $3  00  was 
reached,  when  our  friend  concluded  to  hold  until  he  could 
obtain  $3  50.  Soon  it  began  to  decline.  It  fell  to  $2  75 ;  to  $2  50; 
to  $2  25;  to  |2  00;  and  still  this  man  would  not  sell,  trusting  that 
it  would  rally  again.  But  it  continued  to  decline,  and  he  was 
finally  obliged  to  sell  at  $1  00  per  bushel.  So  much  for  not  selling 
at  the  market  price. 


H— 5 


66  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

EARLY     SETTLEMENTS. 

Carter's  Settlement. — The  first  settlement  made  in  McDonough 
county  was  in  the  year  1826.  Riggs  Peunington,  with  his  family, 
in  that  year  settled  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  24,  Industry 
township.  To  him  belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  settle  in 
the  county.  He  was  immediately  followed  by  William  Carter, 
who  settled  on  section  26,  adjoining,  and  in  his  honor  the  first 
settlement  was  called  Carter's  settlement,  and  by  which  name  it 
was  known  for  many  years  after.  Next  came  James  Vance,  in  the 
same  year.  Mr.  V.  settled  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  24. 
Stephen  Osborne,  Widow  Tomberlin,  Isaac  Fowler  and  Eev. 
John  Logan  were  also  among  the  number  forming  the  early  set- 
tlement. Here  occurred  the  first  marriage  in  the  county,  the 
second  birth,  and  the  first  death.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of 
Mr.  John  Wilson  and  Martha  K.  Vance,  who  were  married  on  the 
thirtieth  day  of  October,  1828,  by  Elder  John  Logan,  a  minister  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  The  second  birth  in  county,  but  first  in  set- 
tlement, Nancy  Carter,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Carter,  who  was 
born  in  August,  1828 ;  the  second  birth  was  Elizabeth  Black  Logan, 
now  Mrs.  William  C.  Hainline,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy 
Logan.  The  first  death  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Fowler,  who  died 
about  the  year  1829. 

The  little  band  of  whites  forming  Carter's  settlement  erected  in 
the  year  1827  a  block  house,  or  log  fort,  near  the  residence  of 
William  Carter,  on  section  26.  This  was  a  two-story  affair,  the 
upper  story  projecting  about  four  feet  over  the  lower  one  on  all 
sides.  It  was  built  in  this  way  because  it  would  afford  more  ample 
protection  against  being  set  on  fire  by  the  Indians.  Where  the 
upper  story  projected  holes  were  made,  through  which  an  Indian 
could  be  gently  tapped  on  the  head  should  he  come  for  incendiary 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  67 

purposes.  The  building  .was  eighteen  by  twenty  feet,  with  numer- 
ous port  holes  for  the  guns  of  the  inmates.  Luckily  they  had  no 
occasion  to  use  the  building  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was 
erected.  The  soldiers  that  passed  through  this  county  in 
1831-32  to  the  seat  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  made  considerable 
sport  of  this  building,  and  of  the  idea  of  erecting  one  two  hundred 
miles  from  the  Indian  country.  But  it  should  be  remembered  that 
the  Indians  were  all  around  them  every  spring  and  fall,  and  like 
those  of  the  present  day,  were  a  treacherous  people.  For  some 
time  this  was  the  only  settlement  between  Rushville  and  Rock 
Island,  on  the  old  Galena  road. 

Job's  Settlement. — About  the  same  time  that  Riggs  Peunington 
and  William  Carter  were  forming  a  settlement  in  the  south  part 
of  the  county,  William  Job  and  a  few  others  moved  to  the  north 
part  near  the  present  town  of  Blandinsville.  To  the  older  resi- 
dents of  the  county  the  name  of  Job's  Settlement  is  very  familiar. 
Hugh  Wilson  and  family  started  in  1826  from  Schuyler  county  to 
go  to  some  place  on  the  Mississippi,  near  the  Des  Moines  Rapids, 
and  when  they  arrived  near  the  present  village  of  Webster,  Han- 
cock county,  they  were  met  by  William  Job,  William  South- 
ward, and  Ephraim  Perkins,  all  brothers-in-law,  who  had  settled 
in  that  vicinity  a  short  time  previous.  Through  the  solicitude  of 
Mr.  Job,  Mr.  Wilson  changed  his  course  and  went  to  the  north- 
west part  of  this  county,  and  settled  upon  section  9  of  the  pres- 
ent township  of  Hire,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  James  Seybold. 
Here  he  erected  a  "  half-faced  camp,"  being  nothing  more  than  a 
shed  with  three  sides  and  an  open  front.  Preparing  his  ground, 
he  planted  it,  and  raised  a  crop.  When  his  harvest  was  over  he 
built  himself  a  more  substantial  house,  into  which  he  moved, 
but  only  lived  therein  about  two  weeks,  when  a  friendly  Indian 
came  to  his  cabin  and  gave  the  alarm  by  stating  that  a  band  of 
hostile  Indians  was  coming  that  way,  and  he  had  better  leave. 
This  advice  he  followed,  going  to  the  Des  Moines  Rapids.  Job, 
Southward  and  Perkins,  who  had  also  settled  in  the  vicinity, 
went  to  Morgan  county,  but  returned  the  following  spring.  Wil- 
son never  came  back. 

This  Wilson  was  a  pioneer,  truly,  for  he  could  not  endure  liv- 
ing near  a  wholly  civilized  community.  In  1814  he  moved  from 
Tennessee  to  Indiana.  After  a  few  years  he  went  to  Kentucky ; 
thence  to  Missouri ;  thence  to  Arkansas.  From  there  he  desired 


68  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

to  emigrate  farther  south,  but  his  family  objecting,  he  returned' 
to  Missouri,  from  whence  he  moved  to  Schuyler  county,  this- 
State,  in  1825.  The  following  year,  as  related,  he  settled  in  this- 
county,  in  Job's  Settlement,  and  thence  pushed  on  to  Iowa.  He- 
kept  even  pace  with  the  Indians,  being  just  far  enough  in  their 
rear  to  be  out  of  danger.  His  wife  delighted  in  being  on  the 
move  as  much  as  he  did,  she  averring  "  the  food  always  tasted 
better  when  they  were  moving."  Mr.  Wilson  was  the  father  of 
John  Wilson,  of  Industry  township,  and  died  in  Iowa  some  years 
ago — as  much  from  grief  as  of  old  age,  it  is  said,  because  he  could 
not  influence  his  sons  to  go  further  west  as  far  as  the  new  State 
of  Colorado.  He  had  a  decided  distaste  for  living  in  a  town, 
saying  he  would  as  soon  go  to  the  penitentiary. 

When  William  Job  returned  to  the  county  in  1827,  he  drew 
around  him  a  goodly  number  of  people,  and  soon  a  very  flourish- 
ing settlement  was  formed.  John  Vance,  Nathaniel  Heron,  Red- 
mond Grigsby,  Coffman,  Bagby  and  others  were  among  the  first. 

Pennington's  Point. — This  was  the  third  settlement  found  in  the 
county,  the  locality  still  retaining  its  original  name.  The  Point 
embraces  a  little  neck  of  timber  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
present  township  of  New  Salem,  5  north,  1  west,  it  being  the 
only  timber  land  in  the  township.  Hon.  Cyrus  Walker,  it  is  said, 
gave  this  district  its  name  in  honor  of  Stewart  Pennington, 
although  William  Pennington  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  settler.  The  latter  gentleman  settled  at  the  point  in  1828,, 
remaining  about  three  years,  moving  from  there  to  Spring  Creek 
in  the  north  part  of  the  county.  StewTart  Pennington  was  the 
second  person  to  settle  in  the  place,  Salem  Woods  the  third,  and 
William  Osborne  the  fourth.  When  Stewart  Pennington  settled 
in  the  place  the  nearest  families  were  the  Smiths',  nine  miles 
north  ;  Barker's,  nine  miles  northeast ;  Knott's  ten  miles  east,. 
in  Fulton  county  ;  thirteen  miles  southeast  was  a  lonely  log  cabin  ; 
six  miles  south  were  the  Vance's,  Stevens',  and  Carter's ;  while 
Resin  Naylor  was  on  the  northwest,  near  the  present  town  of 
Macomb. 

The  settlers  at  the  Point,  like  those  in  other  parts  of  the 
county,  were  poor  in  material  wealth,  but  rich  in  faith,  and  each 
went  to  work  with  a  will  for  the  improvement  of  their  respective 
homesteads.  The  result  of  their  toils  is  now  manifest,  the  farms- 
in  this  neighborhood  being  among  the  best  in  the  county.  The 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  69 

settlers  now  living  in  the  vicinity  are  all  in  good  circumstances 
and  as  happy  as  kings. 

Camp  Creek  derived  its  name  from  the  fact  that  William  Os- 
borne  camped  on  its  banks  the  entire  summer  of  the  year  1829. 
At  that  time  the  timber  near  the  Creek  was  large,  and  the  land 
farther  out  on  either  side  was  covered  with  hazel  brush,  crab  ap- 
ples, plum  trees,  etc.  At  the  present  time,  none  of  this  is  to 
be  found.  The  fine  timber  on  a  part  of  Richard  Pennirigton's 
farm  is  a  second  growth,  the  ground  once  having  been  cleared, 
and  crops  of  corn,  wheat  and  other  grain  raised  thereon. 

Jlacomb. — Elias  McFadden  was  the  first  settler  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  present  city  of  Macomb,  and  came  to  the  place  in  the  fall 
of  1828,  or  spring  of  1829.  He  was  followed  soon  after  by  John 
Baker,  who  is  elsewhere  spoken  of  in  this  work.  After  Mr. 
Baker,  James  Clarke,  David  Clarke,  Resin  Baylor,  Samuel  Rus- 
sell, Win.  Pringle,  Samual  Bogart,  Anderson,  and  others, 

forming  a  very  respectable  neighborhood.  Like  other  settlers  of 
the  county,  this  community  hugged  the  timber,  consequently  we 
now  find  that  all  the  oldest  farms  are  timbered  ones.  The  set- 
tlers were  nearly  all  from  Kentucky.  In  the  year  1831,  the  origi- 
nal number  was  increased  by  the  coming  of  James  M.  Campbell, 
Moses  Hiuton,  S.  H.  Robinson  and  others.  Several  stores  were 
opened,  the  tavern  sign  hung  out,  and  entertainment  was  provided 
for  man  and  beast.  As  we  speak  elsewhere  of  this  place  at  con- 
siderable length  it  is  needless  to  say  more  in  this  connection. 

Hillsgrove. — In  the  fall  of  1830  Roswell  Tyrrell,  then  a  citizen  of 
Fulton  county,  came  to  McDonough  and  built  a  cabin  on  sec.  26, 
5  n.,  4w.,  now  Tennessee  township,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Fulton  for  his  family,  but  the  big  snow  of  that  winter  falling,  he 
did  not  return  until  the  following  spring.  Here  he  remained 
until  the  year  1832,  not  having  a  neighbor  within  several  miles. 
At  this  time  James  Fulkerson  and  family  came  and  settled  on  a 
farm  adjoining  his  quarter.  The  first  day  of  their  arrival,  while 
preparing  their  noon-day  meal,  their  dogs  began  te  bark,  and 
looking  out  they  discovered  a  large  black  bear,  at  which  they 
were  somewhat  alarmed.  Their  dogs  took  after  it,  and  soon  were 
joined  by  those  of  Mr.  Tyrrell,  the  bear  fighting  and  tearing 
several  of  them  in  a  terrible  manner.  Mr.  Fulkerson  followed  and 
succeeded  in  getting  in  a  good  shot,  killed  it,  returning  to  the 
camp  with  his  prize.  It  was  dressed  and  weighed,  bringing  the 


70  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

beam  down  at  two  hundred  pounds.  This  was  the  first,  and  so  far 
as  we  know,  the  only  animal  of  the  kind  ever  killed  in  the 
county.  When  the  dogs  of  Mr.  Tyrrell  returned  he  discovered 
they  were  badly  torn,  and,  being  ignorant  of  what  had  occurred,, 
and  supposing  it  had  been  done  by  the  dogs  of  his  new  neighbor, 
he  was  somewhat  offended,  but  on  receiving  a  huge  slice  of  the 
bear's  meat,  and  learning  the  particulars  of  the  killing,  he  was- 
satisfied. 

Following  Mr.  Fulkerson,  other  families  settled  in  the  neigh- 
borhood within  two  or  three  years,  forming  quite  a  settlement. 

Among  the  number  being Hill,  for  whom  the  postoffice  and 

settlement  was  called  ;  Isaac  Holton,  Colonel  Charles  Wesley  Wad- 
dill,  Charles  Waddill,  David  Kepple,  Rev.  James  King,  Charles  G* 
Gilchrist. 

Isaac  Holton  was  a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  one  of  the  best 
educational  institutions  in  the  East,  and  when  he  settled  in  the 
neighborhood  he  conceived  the  idea  of  establishing  a  similar  insti- 
tution in  this  county  at  Hill's  Grove,  believingan  institution  located 
in  the  country  would  be  better  than  one  in  a  city,  as  the  young 
educated  therein  would  not  be  subject  to  the  temptations  inci- 
dental to  city  life.  Accordingly,  about  the  year  1835,  he  opened 
a  High  School  in  an  old  log  house  in  the  neighborhood,  continu- 
ing the  same  for  some  fifteen  years.  In  this  school  were  educated 
some  of  the  best  men  in  this  section  of  the  country,  among  whom 
we  may  mention  Dr.  J.  H.  Bacon,  now  of  Fort  Madison,  Iowa  ; 
H.  W.  Ferris,  President  of  Carthage  National  Bank  ;  John  M. 
Ferris,  attorney  at  law;  Dr.  Thompson  Ferris,  Carthage;  Samuel 
Hunt,  Bushnell ;  C.  W.  Fulkerson,  Rev.  Sampson  Talbot,  Rev. 
William  Owen,  Thomas  Fulkerson,  and  Larkin  Bacon.  In  the 
year  1837  he  secured  a  charter  from  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
for  the  "  Hill's  Grove  Academy,"  which  he  hoped  would  be  the 
basis  for  a  future  college  or  university.  We  believe  he  never  or- 
ganized under  this  charter,  but  continued  his  school  as  a  private 
institution  until  called  to  his  final  home. 

The  country  about  the  Grove  for  many  years  was  infested  by 
rattlesnakes  and  other  reptiles,  and  a  little  southwest  was  a  hollow 
that  bears  to  this  day  the  name  of  "  Snake  Den  Hollow."  In  this 
hollow,  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  the  snakes  would  form  their 
"den  "  for  the  winter,  and  as  the  warm  days  of  spring  approached 
they  would  crawl  out  in  great  numbers.  As  soon  as  this  fact  be- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  71 

came  known,  the  neighbors  began  to  make  a  raid  upon  them,  or- 
ganizing parties  for  this  purpose,  taking  turns  in  watching  the 
holes  from  out  of  which  the  reptiles  crawled,  and  killing  them  as 
they  appeared.  The  snakes  as  they  came  forth  from  their  dens 
would  be  in  a  torpid  condition,  and  therefore  were  easily  destroyed. 
The  first  year  the  manner  in  which  the  war  was  carried  on  was  as 
follows :  Stationing  himself  by  the  hole  from  which  the  snakes 
would  crawl,  a  man  would  stand  with  a  sharp  pointed  stick,  and 
when  the  snake  would  show  its  head,  he  would  thrust  the  stick 
through  it,  pulling  it  out,  and  then  mashing  its  head.  The  second 
or  third  year  a  kind  of  trap  was  placed  over  the  hole,  into  which 
the  snakes  would  crawl,  and  at  certain  intervals  some  one  would 
take  and  destroy  them.  This  latter  plan  was  preferable,  as  it  re- 
quired but  little  time.  As  many  as  nine  hundred  snakes  were 
killed  in  one  season,  principally  of  the  rattle  and  black  snake 
species,  these  two  dwelling  together  harmoniously.  Great  care 
had  to  be  taken  to  avoid  being  bitten  by  these  dangerous  reptiles. 
Many  a  poor  farmer  lost  his  entire  means  of  subsistence  by  having 
his  horses  or  cattle  bitten  by  them.  Abraham  Fulkerson,  a  brother 
of  James,  affected  to  care  but  little  for  the  reptiles,  stating  there 
was  no  danger  from  them,  but,  alas,  there  was  danger  to  him. 
One  summer  day,  in  order  to  cool  and  rest  himself  after  the  heat 
and  burden  of  the  day,  he  laid  down  on  the  floor  of  his  cabin  and 
fell  asleep.  On  waking,  he  threw  his  hand  over  on  one  side,  when 
he  felt  a  sharp  pain  in  one  of  his  fingers,  and  raising  his  hand  he 
observed  a  large  rattlesnake  with  its  fangs  imbedded  in  his  finger, 
and  was  compelled  to  give  his  hand  a  shake  before  it  loosened  its 
hold.  His  family  was  called,  and  the  simple  remedies  known  to 
the  common  people  were  tried,  but  without  avail.  The  patient 
grew  wor&e  ;  a  doctor  was  called,  and  his  skill  brought  into  requi- 
sition, and  the  life  of  the  man  was  temporarily  saved.  Eye  wit- 
nesses say  never  did  they  see  a  man  suffer  as  he  did,  and  they  have 
no  desire  ever  to  witness  another  such  scene.  Although,  as  stated, 
the  life  of  the  man  was  saved  for  a  time,  the  poison  was  not  eradi- 
cated from  his  system,  and  in  about  one  year  after  death  came  to 
his  relief. 

Hillsgrove  settlement  has  not  only  the  honor  of  killing  the  first 
and  only  black  bear,  and  having  the  largest  number  of  snakes  in 
its  midst,  but  two  panthers  were  killed  in  that  neighborhood  at 
an  early  day.  Elijah  Tyrrell,  a  cousin  of  Eoswell  Tyrrell,  while 
out  hunting,  discovered  an  animal  in  a  tree  as  he  thought  in  the 


72  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

act  of  springing  upon  him,  and  although  at  best  a  poor  marksman, 
he  hastily  took  aim  and  succeeded  in  shooting  it  through  the 
heart.  While  in  the  act  of  skinning  it,  a  little  dog  that  was  with 
him  began  to  bark,  and  looking  up  he  observed  another  animal 
eyeing  him,  and  taking  aim,  succeeded  in  killing  it  also.  Not 
knowing  to  what  species  of  animal  his  game  belonged,  he  report- 
ed at  the  house  that  he  had  "  killed  the  devil !"  This  same  man 
was  again  out  in  the  woods  when  the  wolves  got  after  him,  and  he 
ran  in  the  direction  of  his  house,  followed  by  a  considerable  pack 
of  the  animals.  Finding  that  he  could  not  reach  his  house,  he 
took  to  a  tree,  and  as  he  ascended  the  wolves  jumped  up  and 
succeeded  in  tearing  off' a  goodly  portion  of  his  jacket.  His  cries 
brought  assistance,  and  he  was  rescued  without  receiving  any 
injury. 

In  the  spring  of  1832  seed  corn  was  hard  to  obtain  and  brought 
a  good  price,  and  a  number  of  the  farmers  could  not  obtain 
sufficient  for  their  use.  During  this  year 'several  companies  of 
soldiers  passed  through  the  county  going  to  the  Black  Hawk 
war ;  and  having  with  them  a  supply  of  corn  brought  from  the 
south,  the  people  endeavored  to  exchange  what  they  had  for  the 
corn  of  the  soldiers,  and  where  they  had  none  to  exchange,  and 
no  money  to  buy,  raked  up  the  grains  left  by  the  horses  where 
they  were  fed,  saving  them  to  plant.  . 

The  trouble  in  obtaining  flour  and  meal  by  the  early  settlers 
cannot  be  realized  by  any  at  the  present  day.  Charles  W.  Fulk- 
erson  gave  the  following  as  his  experience  on  one  occasion  :— 
Being  out  of  flour,  he  was  sent  by  his  parents  with  three  or  four 
bushels  of  wheat  to  mill,  going  first  to  Bacon's  mill,  near  Crooked 
Creek,  where,  on  account  of  low  water,  he  could  not  get  it  ground. 
He  then  went  on  to  Marietta,  in  Fulton  county,  and,  falling  in 
with  David  Kepple,  the  two  continued  on  together.  At  Marietta 
they  again  failed  to  have  their  grain  ground,  and  went  on  to  an- 
other mill  on  Spoon  river,  near  where  it  empties  into  the  Illinois. 
This  mill  was  owned  by  an  old  Scotchman  and  his  sons.  Arriv- 
ing here  late  on  Saturday  night,  they  explained  to  the  sons  of  tbe 
old  man  their  situation,  and  secured  a  promise  from  them  to  grind 
it  on  Monday  morning.  The  old  man  was  absent  at  the  time,  but 
the  next  morning  he  came  into  the  mill  yard  where  they  had 
driven  and  ordered  them  to  leave.  Said  he,  "  Get  right  out  of 
my  yard  and  home  with  you  ;  I  will  not  grind  you  a  single  grain. 
All  you  want  with  it  is  for  speculating  purposes,  and  I  will  have 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  73 

nothing  to  do  with  you  !  "  Mr.  Fulkerson  and  Mr.  Kepple  both 
tried  to  reason  with  him,  assuring  him  it  was  not  for  speculating 
purposes,  and  that  they  had  not  a  morsel  of  meal  or  flour  at 
home  ;  but  he  would  not  listen  to  them,  and  they  were  compelled 
to  hitch  up  their  teams  and  depart.  Leaving  this  mill  they  went 
to  Vermont,  where  a  mill  had  lately  been  erected,  but  here  they 
met  with  no  better  success,  and  had  to  return  home  without  hav- 
ing their  grain  ground  at  all ;  but  Mr.  Kepple,  before  leaving, 
hunted  around  the  mill  and  succeeded  in  finding  about  a  half 
bushel  of  "  shorts,"  which  he  said  he  would  call  flour,  and  took 
it  hcme  with  him,  but  what  success  his  people  had  in  making 
bread  out  of  it  he  never  reported.  When  such  a  state  of  affairs 
occurred  the  only  alternative  the  people  had  for  making  bread 
was  to  pound  their  corn  with  a  pestle  in  a  huge  mortar  made  for 
that  purpose,  or,  in  lieu  of  that,  to  eat  hominy. 

Hillsgrove  is  frequently  called  "  the  old  Methodist  stamping 
ground,"  as  here  this  body  of  people  early  secured  a  foothold  and 
had  many  adherents.  Many  of  the  old  pioneer  preachers  of  this 
denomination  held  forth  in  the  cabins  of  the  early  settlers. 
Thomas  Fulkerson  yet  has  a  cabin  standing  on  his  place,  where 
Peter  Cartwright,  the  old  Methodist  apostle,  preached  to  the 
hardy  men  and  women  of  the  neighborhood  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Valen- 
tine Wilson,  a  Methodist  preacher,  in  1833,  at  the  house  of  James 
Fulkerson. 

Edward  McDonough,  for  a  number  of  years  past  a  dealer  in 
flour,  etc.,  at  Macomb,  was  the  first  child  born  in  the  township, 
which  event  occurred  in  April,  1832.  His  father  was  Hugh  Mc- 
Donough,  Sr.,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  and  who  died  in 
1849. 

The  country  in  and  around  the  old  Hillsgrove  settlement  is  ex- 
cellent, and  the  early  settlers  made  a  wise  choice  in  their  selec- 
tion. At  present  writing  (March,  1877)  many  wealthy  men 
inhabit  this  part  of  the  county — men  who  obtained  their  wealth 
by  hard  labor  in  the  early  times. 

Middletown. — This  place  was  laid  out  in  the  spring  of  1837,  by 
Major  John  Patrick  and  James  Edmonston,  Esq.  The  first  house 
erected  was  by  Major  Patrick.  The  first  settlers  were  James 
Edmonston  and  John  Gibson,  and  Andrew  Cox  started  the  first 
store.  It  was  called  Middletown  from  the  fact  of  its  being  the 


74  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

central  point  or  middle  town  between  Beardstown  on  the  Illinois 
river  and  Burlington  on  the  Mississippi  river.  It  was  also  the 
crossing  of  the  Beardstown  and  Burlington  and  the  1'eoria  and 
Quincy  public  roads. 

The  first  public  sale  of  town  lots  occurred  in  April,  1837,  lots 
realizing  from  $15  to  $30  each.  Very  lew  have  at  any  time 
commanded  a  higher  price  than  this.  Although  the  town  never 
grew  to  any  considerable  size  or  importance,  it  was  at  one  time 
a  busy  and  prosperous  village,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
article  taken  trom  the  McDonough  Independent  of  October  31, 
1858  : 

"Middletown. — A  few  days  since  we  paid  a  flying  visit  to  this 
beautiful  village  in  the  western  part  of  this  county.  We  were 
much  pleased  with  the  evidences  of  prosperity  which  the  town 
presents.  It  contains  ahout  180  inhabitants,  three  dry  goods 
stores,  three  taverns,  several  blacksmith  shops,  and  a  splendid 
steam  saw  mill  which  does  a  tine  business. 

"Col.  Patrick,  who  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  has 
just  received  an  extensive  stock  in  store,  which  were  shown  us 
by  Capt.  Lipe,  his  gentlemanly  clerk." 

The  country  in  the  vicinity  of  Middletown  is  thickly  settled  by 
a  good  class  of  farmers,  and  is  generally  level  prairie  land,  well 
drained  and  fertile. 

There  was  no  portion  of  the  county  that  labored  harder  to  se- 
cure the  line  of  the  Northern  Cross  Kailway  than  Middletown, 
which  was  to  be  on  the  main  line  of  the  contemplated  road.  At  an 
election  held  August  20,  1853,  for  the  purpose  of  voting  for  or 
against  the  county  subscribing  $75,000  to  this  railroad,  Middle- 
town  precinct  cast  198  votes  for  and  but  2  against  the  proposed 
enterprise.  The  road,  however,  when  built,  failed  to  be  a  benefit 
to  the  town;  it  was  on  the  other  hand,  the  means  of  taking  her 
established  trade  from  her,  and  causing  many  of  her  more  prom- 
inent and  enterprising  citizens  to  seek  other  locations.  The  rea- 
son was,  that  instead  of  the  road  running  through  the  town  it 
ran  five  miles  north,  where  new  towns  sprang  up,  which  with  the 
advantages  of  the  railroad  commanded  the  patronage  and  inter- 
ests of  the  people  in  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  due  the  citi- 
zens of  Middletown  at  the  time  the  Railroad  was  projected  to 
record  that  the  failure  of  the  road  to  pass  through  their  town, 
was  not  a  want  of  interest  in  the  enterprise,  or  lack  of  earnest 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  75 

labor  on  their  part  to  secure  the  road,  for  as  before  mentioned, 
none  worked  harder  to  secure  it  than  they,  but  it  was  on  account 
of  the  condition  of  the  country  through  which  the  road  would 
necessarily  have  to  be  constructed. 


76  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  MORMONS. 

From  1835  to  1845,  the  County  nearly  doubled  its  population, 
having  in  the  former  year,  according  to  the  census  reports,  2862 
souls,  and  six  negroes;  while,  in  the  latter,  it  had  5355  souls  and 
three  negroes.  Whether  the  negroes  were  regarded  as  having 
souls  or  not  we  cannot  say ,  but  presume  not  from  the  way  the 
report  reads.  But  little  was  done  in  the  way  of  public  improve- 
ment during  those  years,  because  of  the  exceeding  dullness  of  the 
times. 

In  the  years  1839-40,  several  families  of  that  very  peculiar 
people,  the  Mormons,  settled  in  McDonough  County.  They  came 
as  refugees  from  Missouri,  being  driven  from  that  State  by  the 
infuriated  people  whom  they  had  persistently  robbed  and 
despoiled.  Claiming  that  they  were  persecuted  on  account  of 
their  religion,  they  appealed  to  the  sympathies  of  the  people,  and 
were  received  with  favor.  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  humanity 
will  sympathize  with  those  who  are  persecuted,  be  they  right  or 
wrong.  It  is  related  of  Martin  Van  Buren  that  upon  a  certain 
occasion,  going  home  he  found  his  wife  in  tears,  weeping  bitterly 
over  an  article  she  had  just  read  in  a  newspaper,  in  which  her 
husband  had  been  shamefully  traduced.  Learning  the  cause  of 
her  distress,  he  remarked  :  <  40  never  mind  that,  wife,  I  paid  the 
editor  $50  to  insert  it."  He  knew  the  value  of  sympathy. 
Presuming  that  many  of  our  readers  have  never  read  a  description 
of  the  Mormons,  we  offer  no  apology  for  the  following  extract 
from  Ford's  History,  pp  157—158: 

"The  people  called  the  Mormons,  but  who  called  themselves 
'The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,'  began  to 
figure  in  the  politics  of  the  State  in  1840.  They  were  a  religious 
sect,  followers  of  a  man  familiarly  called  l  Joe  Smith,'  who  was 
claimed  by  them  to  be  a  prophet. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  77 

"This  man  was  born  at  Sharon,  Winsdor  county,  Vermont,  on 
the  twenty-third  day  of  December,  1805.  His  parents  were  in 
humble  circumstances,  and  gave  their  son  but  an  indifferent  edu- 
cation. When  he  first  began  to  act  the  prophet  he  was  ignorant 
of  almost  everything  which  belonged  to  science,  but  he  made  up 
in  natural  cunning  and  in  power  of  invention  and  constructive- 
ness  for  many  deficiencies  of  education. 

"When  he  was  ten  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Palmyra, 
Wayne  county,  Xew  York.  Here  his  extreme  youth  was  spent 
in  idle,  vagabond  life,  roaming  the  woods,  dreaming  of  buried 
treasures,  and  exerting  himself  to  learn  the  art  of  finding  them  by 
the  twisting  of  a  forked  stick  in  his  hands,  or  by  looking  through 
enchanted  stones.  He,  and  his  father  before  him,  were  what  are 
called  *  water  witches,'  always  ready  to  point  out  the  ground 
where  wells  might  be  dug  and  water  found,  and  many  are  the 
anecdotes  of  his  early  life,  giving  bright  promise  of  future  profli- 
gacy. Such  was  Joe  Smith  when  he  was  found  by  Sidney  Rig- 
don,  who  was  a  man  of  considerable  talent  and  information. 

"Rigdon  had  become  possessed  of  a  religious  romance  written  by 
a  Presbyterian  clergyman  in  Ohio,  then  dead,  which  suggested  to 
him  the  idea  of  starting  a  new  religion.  It  was  agreed  that  Joe 
Smith  should  be  put  forward  as  a  prophet ;  and  the  two  devised  a 
story  that  golden  plates  had  been  found  buried  in  the  earth  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Palmyra  containing  a  record  inscribed  on  them  in 
unknown  characters,  which,  when  deciphered  by  the  powers  of 
inspiration,  gave  the  history  of  the  ten  lost  tribes  of  Israel  in  their 
wanderings  through  Asia  into  America,  where  they  had  settled 
and  flourished,  and  where,  in  due  time,  Christ  came  and  preached 
his  gospel  to  them,  appointed  his  twelve  apostles,  and  was  cruci- 
fied here  nearly  in  the  same  manner  in  which  he  was  crucified  in 
Jerusalem. 

"The  second  then  pretended  to  give  the  history  of  the  American 
Christians  for  a  few  hundred  years,  until  the  great  wickedness 
of  the  people  called  down  the  judgment  of  God  upon  them, 
which  resulted  in  their  extermination.  Several  nations  of  people, 
from  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  to  the  extremities  of  Xorth  America, 
were  arrayed  against  each  other  in  war.  At  last  the  great  battle 
of  Cumorah  was  fought  in  Palmyra,  Xew  York,  between  the 
Lamanites,  who  were  the  heathens  of  this  continent,  and  the 
Nephites,  who  were  the  Christians,  in  which  battle  there  was  a 


78  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

prodigious  slaughter — hundreds  of  thousands  being  killed  on 
each  side.  The  nation  of  the  Nephites  was  destroyed,  except  a 
few  who  had  deserted,  and  a  few  who  had  escaped  into  the  south 
country.  Among  this  number  was  Mormon  and  his  son  Moroni, 
who  were  righteous  men,  and  who,  as  it  was  said,  were  directed 
by  the  Almighty  to  make  a  record  of  all  these  solemn  and  import- 
ant events  on  plates  of  gold,  and  bury  them  in  the  earth,  to  be 
discovered  in  a  future  age,  fourteen  centuries  afterwards.  It  is 
needless  to  add  that  the  pretended  translations  of  the  hieroglyph- 
ics said  to  be  inscribed  on  these  pretended  plates,  were  no  more 
nor  less  than  the  religious  romance  already  spoken  of.  but  which 
now  appeared  as  the  book  of  Mormon. 

"The  prophet  in  after  life  pretended  that  at  an  early  age  he 
became  much  concerned  about  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  He  went 
to  the  religious  meetings  of  many  sects  to  seek  information  of  the 
way  to  heaven,  and  was  afterwards  told,  'this  is  the  way,  walk  ye 
in  it/  He  reflected  upon  the  multitude  of  doctrines  and  sects, 
and  it  occurred  to  him  that  God  could  be  the  author  of  but  one 
doctrine,  and  own  but  one  church;  he  looked  among  all  the  sects 
to  see  which  was  this  one  true  church  of  Christ,  but  he  could  not 
decide;  and  until  he  became  satisfied,  he  could  not  be  contented. 
His  anxious  desires  led  him  diligently  to  search  the  scriptures, 
and  he  perused  the  sacred  pages,  believing  the  things  that  he 
read.  He  now  saw  that  the  true  way  was  to  enquire  of  God,  and 
then  there  was  a  certainty  of  success.  He  therefore  retired  to  a 
secret  place  in  a  grove  near  his  father's  house,  and  kneeling  down 
began  to  call  upon  the  Lord :  darkness  gave  way,  and  he  prayed 
with  fervency  of  spirit.  Whilst  he  continued  praying  the  light 
appeared  to  be  gradually  descending  towards  him ;  and  as  it  drew 
nearer  it  increased  in  brightness  and  magnitude,  so  that  by  the 
time  it  reached  the  tops  of  the  trees,  the  whole  wilderness  for 
quite  a  distance  around  was  illuminated  in  a  glorious  and  brilliant 
manner.  He  expected  the  leaves  of  the  trees  to  be  consumed,  but 
seeing  no  such  effect  of  the  light,  he  was  encouraged  with  the 
hope  to  endure  its  presence.  It  descended  slowly  until  he  was 
enveloped  in  the  midst  ot  it.  Immediately  he  was  caught  away 
in  a  heavenly  vision,  and  saw  two  glorious  personages,  alike  in 
their  features,  and  he  was  now  informed  that  his  sins  were 
forgiven.  Here  he  learned  that  none  of  the  churches  then  in 
being  was  the  church  of  God,  and  received  a  promise  at  some 
future  time  of  the  fullness  of  the  Gospel,  and  a  knowledge  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  79 

true  doctrine.     After  this,  being  still  young,  he  was  entangled  in 
the  vanities  of  the  world,  of  which  he  sincerely  and  truly  repented. 

"On  the  twenty-third  of  September,  1823,  God  again  heard  his 
prayers.  His  mind  had  been  drawn  out  in  fervent  prayer  for  his 
acceptance  with  God;  and  for  a  knowledge  of  the  doctrines  of 
Christ  according  to  promise  in  the  former  vision.  While  he  was 
thus  pouring  out  his  desires,  on  a  sudden  a  light  burst  out  into 
the  room  like  the  light  of  day,  but  purer  and  more  glorious  in 
appearance  and  brightness,  the  sight  of  it  was,  as  though  the 
house  had  been  filled  with  consuming  fire;  this  occasioned  a 
shock  felt  to  the  extremities  of  his  body,  and  then  was  followed 
by  calmness  of  mind  and  overwhelming  rapture  of  joy,  when  in 
a  rnoment  a  personage  stood  before  him,  who,  notwithstanding 
the  light,  seemed  to  be  surrounded  by  an  additional  glory,  which 
shown  with  increased  brilliancy.  This  personage  was  above  the 
ordinary  size  of  man,  his  raiment  was  perfectly  white  and  had 
the  appearance  to  be  without  seam.  This  glorious  being  declared 
himself  to  be  an  angel  sent  to  announce  the  forgiveness  of  his 
sins,  and  to  answer  his  prayers  by  bringing  the  glad  tidings  that 
the  covenant  of  God  with  ancient  Israel  concerning  posterity, 
was  at  last  about  to  be  fulfilled  ;  that  preparation  for  the  second 
coming  of  Christ  was  speedily  to  commence;  that  the  fulness  of 
the  Gospel  was  about  to  be  preached  in  peace  unto  all  nations, 
that  the  people  might  be  prepared  for  the  millenium  of  universal 
peace  and  joy. 

"At  the  same  time  he  had  been  informed  that  he  had  been  called 
and  chosen  as  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God  to  bring  about 
some  of  his  marvellous  purposes  in  this  glorious  dispensation. 

"It  was  made  known  to  him  that  the  American  Indians  were  a 
remnant  of  Israel ;  that  when  they  first  came  here  they  were  an 
enlightened  people,  having  a  knowledge  of  the  true  God ;  that 
the  prophets  and  inspired  writers  amongst  them  had  been  re- 
quired to  keep  a  true  record  of  their  history,  which  had  been 
handed  down  for  many  generations,  until  the  people  fell  into 
wickedness ;  when  nearly  all  of  them  were  destroyed,  and  the 
records  by  command  of  God  were  safely  deposited  to  preserve 
them  from  the  hands  of  the  wicked  who  sought  to  destroy  them. 
If  faithtul  he  was  to  be  the  highly  favored  instrument  in  bringing 
these  records  to  light. 


80  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

"The  angel  now  disappeared,  leaving  him  in  a  state  of  perfect 
peace,  but  visited  him  several  times  afterwards,  instructing  him 
concerning  the  great  work  of  God  about  to  commence  on  earth. 
He  was  instructed  where  these  records  were  deposited,  and  re- 
quired to  go  immediately  to  view  them.  They  were  found  on  the 
side  of  a  hill  slightly  buried  in  the  earth,  secured  in  a  stone  box, 
on  the  road  from  Palmyra  to  Canandagua,  in  New  York,  about 
three  miles  from  the  village  of  Manchester.  The  records  were 
said  to  be  engraved  on  gold  plates  in  Egyptian  characters  ;  the 
plates  were  of  the  thickness  of  tin,  bound  together  like  a  book, 
fastened  on  one  side  by  three  rings  whrjh  run  through  the  Whole 
and  formed  a  volume  of  about  six  inches  in  thickness.  And  in 
the  same  box  with  them  were  found  two  stones,  transparent  and 
clear  as  crystal,  the  Urim  and  Thummim  used  by  seers  in  ancient 
times,  the  instruments  of  revelations  of  things  distant,  past,  or 
future. 

"When  the  prophet  first  saw  these  things,  being  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  standing  and  admiring,  the  same  angel  of  the 
Lord  appeared  in  his  presence,  and  said,  'look  ;'  and  he  beheld 
the  devil  surrounded  by  a  great  train  of  his  associates.  He  then, 
after  receiving  further  directions  from  the  angel,  started  home  to 
his  father's  house,  where  he  was  waylaid  by  two  ruffians.  One  of 
them  struck  him  with  a  club,  but  was  repulsed,  but  they  followed 
him  nearly  home,  when  they  fled  for  fear  of  detection.  The  news 
of  his  discovery  got  abroad  ;  the  new  prophet  was  the  sport  of  lies, 
slanders  and  mobs,  and  vain  attempts  to  rob  him  of  his  plates.  He 
removed  to  the  northern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  com- 
menced, with  the  aid  of  inspiration  and  the  Urim  and  Thummim, 
to  translate  the  plates.  He  finished  a  part  of  which  is  called  the 
Book  of  Mormon.  It  is  pretended  that  Mormon  hid  all  the  old 
records  up  in  the  hill  of  Oumorah,  but  had  first  made  an  abridge- 
ment of  them,  which  was  called  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  which 
he  gave  to  his  son  Moroni  to  finish.  Moroni  continued  to  serve  his 
nation  for  a  few  years,  and  continued  the  writings  of  his  father 
until  after  the  great  battle  of  Cumorah,  when  he  kept  himself  hid, 
for  the  Lamanites  sought  to  kill  every  Nephite  who  refused  to 
deny  Christ.  The  story  is  remarkably  well  gotten  up,  and  many 
yet,  unhappily,  make  the  foundation  of  a  religion  which  may  roll 
back  upon  the  world  barbarism  of  eighteen  centuries  passed  away. 
Whilst  there  are  fools  and  knaves,  there  is  no  telling  what  may 
be  accomplished  by  such  a  religion. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  81 

"And  the  prophet  was  not  without  his  witnesses.  Oliver  Cow- 
dery,  Martin  Harris  and  Daniel  Whitemore  solemnly  certify  that 
kwe  have  seen  the  plates  which  contain  the  records;  that  they 
were  translated  by  the  gift  and  power  of  God,  for  his  voice  has 
declared  it  unto  us,  wherefore  we  know  of  a  surety  that  the  work 
is  true ;  and  we  declare  with  words  of  soberness  that  an  angel  of 
God  came  down  from  heaven  and  brought  and  laid  it  before 
our  eyes ;  that  we  beheld  and  saw  the  plates  and  the  engravings 
thereon.' 

"Eight  other  witnesses  certify  that  'Joseph  Smith,  the  transla- 
tor, had  shown  them  the  plates  spoken  of,  which  had  the  appear- 
ance of  gold  ;  and  as  many  of  the  plates  as  the  said  Smith  had 
translated  they  did  handle  with  their  hands,  and  they  also  saw 
the  engravings  thereon,  all  of  which  had  the  appearance  of  an- 
cient work  and  curious  workmanship.' 

"The  most  probable  account  of  these  certificates  is  that  the  wit- 
nesses were  in  the  conspiracy,  aiding  the  imposture ;  but  I  have 
been  informed  by  men  who  were  once  in  the  confidence  of  the 
prophet,  that  he  privately  gave  a  different  account  of  the  matter. 

"It  is  related  that  the  prophet's  early  followers  were  anxious  to 
see  the  plates ;  the  prophet  had  always  given  out  that  they  could 
not  be  seen  by  the  carnal  eye,  but  must  be  spiritually  discerned ; 
that  the  power  to  see  them  depended  upon  faith,  and  was  the 
gift  of  God,  to  be  obtained  by  fasting,  prayer,  mortification  of  the 
flesh,  and  exercise  of  the  spirit;  that  so  soon  as  he  could  see  the 
evidence  of  a  strong  and  lively  faith  in  any  of  his  followers, 
they  should  be  gratified  in  their  holy  curiosity. 

"He  set  them  to  continual  prayer  and  other  spiritual  exercises  to 
acquire  this  lively  faith,  by  means  of  which  the  hidden  things  of 
God  could  be  spiritually  discerned,  and  at  last,  when  he  could 
delay  them  no  longer,  he  assembled  them  in  a  room  and  produced 
a  box,  which,  he  said,  contained  the  pecious  treasure.  The  lid 
was  opened;  the  witnesses  peeped  into  it,  but  making  no  discov- 
ery, for  the  box  was  empty,  they  said,  *  Brother  Joseph,  we  do 
not  see  the  plates.'  The  prophet  answered  them  :  *  O,  ye  of  lit- 
tle faith,  how  long  will  God  bear  with  this  wicked  and  perverse 
generation  ?  Down  on  your  knees,  brethren,  every  one  of  you, 
and  pray  to  God  for  the  forgiveness  of  your  sins,  and  for  a  holy 
and  a  living  faith  which  cometh  down  from  heaven.'  The  dis- 
ciples dropped  to  their  knees,  and  began  to  pray  in  the  fervency 
H— 6 


82  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

of  their  spirit,  supplicating  God  for  more  than  two  hours  with 
fanatical  earnestness  ;  at  the  end  of  which  time,  looking  again 
into  the  box,  they  were  now  persuaded  that  they  saw  the  plates. 
I  leave  it  to  the  philosophers  to  determine  whether  the  fumes  of 
an  enthusiastic  and  fanatical  imagination  are  thus  capable  of 
blinding  the  mind  and  deceiving  the  senses  by  so  absurd  a  delu- 
sion. 

"The  book  of  Mormon  pretended  to  reveal  the  fullness  of  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  he  delivered  it  to  his  people  in  America. 
It  was  to  be  brought  forth  by  the  power  of  God,  and  carried  to 
the  Gentiles,  of  whom  many  were  to  receive  it,  and  after  this  the 
seed  of  Israel  were  to  be  brought  into  the  fold  also.  It  was 
pretended  that  pristine  Christianity  was  to  be  restored,  with  the 
gift  of  prophecy,  with  the  gift  of  tongues,  with  the  laying  on  of 
hands  to  cure  all  manner  of  diseases.  Many  were  the  pretended 
prophets  which  this  sect  brought  forth. 

"Many  of  the  disciples  spoke  in  an  outlandish  gibberish,  which 
they  called  the  unknown  tongue ;  others  again  acted  as  interpret- 
ers of  this  jargon,  for  it  rarely  happened  that  he  who  was  gifted 
to  speak  in  an  unknown  tongue  was  able  to  understand  his  own 
communications  ;  and  many  brilliant  miracles  were  pretended  to 
be  wrought  in  the  cure  of  diseases,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  and 
by  the  prayer  of  faith." 

The  main  body  of  the  Mormons  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Nauvoo,  Hancock  County,  a  few  only  in  McDonough,  and  these 
latter  remained  only  until  it  was  thought  there  was  an  opening 
for  them  in  the  "city  of  the  Saints." 

In  the  summer  of  1843  George  Miller,  then  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Macomb,  living  in  that  town,  and  in  the 
house  now  owned  by  James  Roberts,  corner  of  East  Carroll  and 
North  Randolph  streets,  made  a  trip  to  Nauvoo,  returning  ap- 
parently with  not  a  very  favorable  opinion  of  the  "  Saints,"  unless 
we  except  Joe  Smith,  the  prophet.  Still,  as  occasion  offered,  he 
would  refer  to  the  Mormons,  and  express  a  desire  to  again  hear 
them  preach.  He  said  to  the  citizens  of  Macomb  that  if  they  de- 
sired to  hear,  he  would  have  Joe  Smith  come  over  and  preach  for 
them.  A  few  days  later  he  went  to  the  woods,  near  the  present 
town  of  Bardolph,  in  search  of  blackberries.  After  a  little  he 
threw  up  his  arms,  screamed  and  fell  to  the  ground.  He  was 
taken  up,  a  bed  was  provided,  and  he  was  taken  home.  Dr.  J. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  83 

B.  Kvle  was  culled  in,  and  relieved  him  of  about  a  quart  of  blood, 
and  gave  him  a  good,  strong  dose  of  calomel.  The  beginning  of 
this  tit  occurred  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  on  Thursday, 
and  for  forty-eight  hours  he  continued  to  rave.  About  the  middle 
of  the  afternoon  on  Saturday,  a  couple  of  men,  on  horseback,  rode 
up  to  the  square,  and  meeting  "William  Hamilton,  now  of  Bushnell, 
inquired  if  he  knew  where  George  Miller  lived.  Being  directed 
to  the  place,  they  rode  over,  and  tying  their  horses,  went  into  the 
house,  knelt  down  by  the  bed-side  of  the  sick  man,  commenced 
praying  in  a  loud  tone.  On  the  conclusion  of  their  prayer,  .they 
arose,  and  laid  their  hands  upon  Mr.  Miller.  This  they  repeated, 
calling  upon.  Mr.  M.  to  have  faith — by  faith  all  things  were  possi- 
ble. In  a  few  moments  he  became  calm,  and  soou  was  sitting  up 
in  bed,  and  the  next  day  was  as  well  as  ever,  though  a  little  weak. 
He  was  indeed  well  enough  to  attend  the  preaching  of  these 
Saints,  one  of  whom  was  the  renowned  Sydney  Rigdon.  Whether 
all  this  was  a  "  put  up  job"  between  Mr.  Miller  and  the  Saints  we 
know  not.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  on  Monday  morning  Mr.  Miller 
was  baptised  in  the  creek  north  of  town,  and  in  few  days  he  re- 
moved to  Xauvoo  and  became  a  leader  among  the  Mormon  people. 
In  August,  1843,  occurred  the  Congressional  election.  Hon. 
Cyrus  AValker  and  Hon.  James  P.  Hoge  were  the  rival  candidates 
for  Congress,  and  each  labored  to  secure  the  Mormon  vote.  This 
subject  is  treated  elsewhere  in  this  work.  During  all  this  time 
the  Mormons  had  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  until  they  had 
become  a  powerful  body.  As  they  grew  in  strength,  they 
became  arrogant,  and,  under  the  assumption  that  "  the  earth  wa.s 
the  Lord's,  and  the  fullness  thereof,"  and  that  they  being  his 
peculiar  people,  were  entitled  to  all  the  fruits  of  it,  the  Gentiles 
having  to  rights  which  they  were  bound  to  respect.  This 
doctrine  led  to  considerable  trouble  between  the  "  Saints"  and 
those  who  were  not  disposed  to  accept  it.  Much  stock  disappeared 
from  all  parts  of  the  county,  a  great  deal  of  it  being  found  in  the 
•"  holy  city.; '  But  when  found,  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  regain 
possession.  Under  a  provision  of  the  city  charter  of  Xauvoo,  the 
Mormons  enacted  "that  no  writ  issued  from  any  other  place,  for 
the  arrest  ot  any  of  her  citizens,  should  be  recognized  in  the  city, 
without  an  approval  endorsed  thereon  by  the  mayor ;  that  if  any 
public  officer,  by  virtue  of  any  foreign  writ,  should  attempt  to 
make  an  arrest  in  the  city,  without  such  approval  of  his  process, 
he  should  be  subject  to  imprisonment  for  life  :  and  that  even  the 


84  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Governor  of  the  State  should  not  have  the  power  of  pardoning  the 
offender  without  the  consent  of  the  mayor."  If  an  attempt  was 
made  to  obtain  property  by  a  writ  of  replevin,  witnesses  without 
number  would  promptly  swear  it  belonged  to  some  Mormon 
claimant.  The  following  is  a  case  in  point:  A  gentleman  living 
in  the  southern  part  of  this  county  had  a  valuable  horse  stolen^ 
which  he  afterwards  found  in  Nauvoo,  and  seized.  During  the 
trial  resulting  therefrom  he  had  sixty  witnesses  to  identify  the 
horse  as  his  property,  but  the  Mormons  brought  forward  seventy 
to  prove  that  it  belonged  to  some  "  Saint,"  and  having  a  prepon- 
derance of  testimony,  the  Mormon  justice  decided  in  favor  of  his. 
brother. 

The  citizens  of  Hancock  County  submitted  to  this  state  of  affairs- 
until  endurance  ceased  to  be  a  virtue,  and  the  Governor  was 
appealed  to  for  aid.  This  assistance  wras  asked  more  especially  on 
account  ot  the  failure  to  arrest  Joseph  Smith  and  other  leading 
Mormons  for  engaging  in  a  riot  in  destroying  the  office  of  an 
anti-Mormon  paper.  A  warrant  was  issued  at  Carthage  and 
served  upon  them,  when  they  were  taken  at  once  to  the  Municipal 
Court  of  Nauvoo,  on  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  and  discharged  from 
custody. 

On  the  twenty-first  day  of  June,  1844,  Gov.  Ford  arrived  at 
Carthage,  where  he  found  an  armed  force  assembled,  and  hourly 
increasing  in  numbers,  composed  of  men  from  Hancock,  Mc- 
Donough,  and  Schuyler  Counties.  He  immediately  placed  all 
under  military  command  of  their  proper  officers.  A  messenger 
was  then  despatched  to  Nauvoo,  requesting  the  leaders  of  the 
Mormons  to  send  a  committee  to  lay  their  side  of  the  question 
before  him.  Says  the  Governor  in  his  History: 

"It  appeared  clearly,  both  from  the  complaints  of  the  citizens- 
and  the  acknowledgments  of  the  Mormon  committee,  that  the 
whole  proceedings  of  the  Mayor,  the  Common  Council,  and  the 
Municipal  Court,  were  irregular  and  illegal,  and  not  to  be  endured 
in  a  free  country ;  though  perhaps  some  apology  might  be  made 
for  the  court,  as  it  had  been  repeatedly  assured  by  some  of  the 
best  lawyers  in  the  State  who  had  been  candidates  for  office  before 
that  people,  that  it  had  full  and  competent  power  to  issue  writs, 
of  habeas  corpus  in  all  cases  whatever.  The  Common  Council 
violated  the  law  in  assuming  the  exercise  of  judicial  power ;  in 
proceeding  ex-parte  without  notice  to  the  owners  of  the  property; 
in  proceeding  against  the  property  in  rem,  in  not  calling  a  jury; 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  85 

'in  not  swearing  all  the  witnesses  ;  in  not  giving  the  owners  of  the 
property,  accused  of  being  a  nuisance,  in  consequence  of  being 
libelous,  an  opportunity  of  giving  the  truth  in  evidence :  and  in 
fact,  by  not  proceeding  by  civil  suit  or  indictment,  as  in  other 
cases  of  libel.  The  mayor  violated  the  law  in  ordering  this  er- 
roneous and  absurd  judgment  of  the  common  council  to  be  exe- 
cuted, and  the  municipality  erred  in  discharging  them  from  arrest. 
4i  As  this  proceeding  touched  the  liberty  of  the  press,  which  is 
justly  dear  to  any  republican  people,  it  was  well  calculated  to 
raise  a  great  flame  of  excitement.  And  it  may  well  be  questioned 
whether  years  of  misrepresentation  by  the  most  profligate  news- 
paper could  have  engendered  such  a  feeling  as  was  produced  by 
the  destruction  of  this  one  press.  It  is  apparent  that  the  Mormon 
leaders  but  little  understood,  and  regarded  less,  the  true  principles 
of  civil  liberty.  A  tree  press,  well  conducted,  is  a  great  blessing 
to  a  free  people.  A  profligate  one  is  likely  soon  to  deprive  itself 
of  all  credit  and  influence  by  the  multitude  of  falsehoods  put 
forth  by  it.  But  let  this  be  as  it  may,  there  is  more  lost  to  rational 
liberty  by  a  censorship  of  the  press,  by  suppressing  information 
proper  to  be  known  by  the  people,  than  can  be  lost  by  an  indi- 
vidual now  and  then  by  a  temporary  injury  to  his  character  and 

influence  by  the  utmost  licentiousness. 

*  *  *  #  #  *  #  * 

u  It  was  asserted  that  Joe  Smith,  the  founder  and  head  of  the 
Mormon  Church,  had  caused  Hmself  to  be  crowned  and  anointed 
king  of  the  Mormons ;  that  he  had  embodied  a  band  of  his  follow- 
ers called  i  Danites,'  who  were  sworn  to  obey  him  as  God,  and  to 
do  his  commands,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted  ;  that  he  had 
instituted  an  order  in  the  church  whereby  those  who  composed  it 
were  pretended  to  be  sealed  up  to  eternal  life  against  all  crimes, 
save  the  shedding  of  innocent  blood,  or  consenting  thereto;  that 
this  order  was  instructed  that  no  blood  was  innocent  blood  except 
that  of  the  members  of  the  church  ;  and  that  these  two  orders  were 
made  the  ministers  of  his  vengeance,  and  the  instruments  of  an 
intolerable  tyranny  which  he  had  established  over  his  people,  and 
which  he  was  about  to  extend  over  the  neighboring  country. 

"  The  people  affected  to  believe  that  with  this  power  in  the 
hands  of  an  unscrupulous  leader  there  was  no  safety  for  the  lives 
or  property  of  any  one  who  opposed  him.  They  affected  likewise 
to  believe  that  Smith  inculcated  the  legality  of  perjury,  or  any 
other  crime  in  defense  or  to  advance  the  interests  of  true  believers  ; 


86  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

and  that  himself  had  set  them  the  example  by  swearing  to  a  false 
accusation  against  a  certain  person  for  the  crime  of  murder.  It 
was  likewise  asserted  to  be  a  fundamental  article  of  the  Mormon 
faith  that  God  had  given  the  world  and  all  it  contained  to  them  as. 
his  Saints;  that  they  secretly  believed  in  their  rights  to  all  the 
goorlly  lands,  farms  and  property  in  the  country  ;  that  at  present 
they  were  kept  out  of  their  rightful  inheritance  by  force  ;that  con- 
sequently there  was  no  moral  offense  in  anticipating  God's  good 
time  to  put  them  in  possession  by  stealing  if  opportunity  offered; 
that  in  fact  the  whole  church  was  a  community  of  murderers,, 
thieves,  robbers,  and  outlaws ;  that  Joseph  Smith  had  established 
a  bogus  factory  in  Nauvoo  for  the  manufacture  of  counterfeit 
money,  and  that  he  maintained  about  his  person  a  tribe  of  swin- 
dlers, blacklegs  and  counterfeiters  to  make  it  and  put  it  into  circu- 
lation. 

"  It  was  also  believed  that  he  had  announced  a  revelation  from 
heaven  sanctioning  polygamy,  by  a  kind  of  spiritual  wife  system, 
whereby  a  man  was  allowed  one  wife  in  pursuance  of  the  laws  of 
the  country,  and  an  indefinite  number  of  others  to  be  enjoyed  in 
some  mystical  and  spiritual  mode;  and  that  he  himself,  and  many 
of  his  followers,  had  practiced  upon  the  principles  of  this  revela- 
tion by  seducing  a  large  number  of  women. 

"  It  was  also  asserted  that  he  was  in  alliance  with  the  Indians 
of  the  western  territories,  and  had  obtained  over  them  such  a 
control  that  in  case  of  a  war  he  could  command  their  assistance 
to  murder  his  enemies. 

"  But  the  great  cause  of  popular  fury  was  that  the  Mormons  at 
several  preceding  elections  had  cast  their  vote  as  a  unit,  thereby 
making  the  fact  apparent  that  no  one  could  aspire  to  the  honors 
of  the  offices  of  the  country  within  the  sphere  of  their  influence^ 
without  their  approbation  and  votes.  It  appears  to  be  one  of  the 
principles  upon  which  they  insist  upon  being  governed  as  a  com- 
munity, to  act  as  a  unit  in  all  matters  of  government  and  religion. 
They  express  themselves  to  be  fearful  that  if  division  should  be 
encouraged  in  politics,  it  would  soon  extend  to  their  religion  and 
rend  their  church  with  schism  and  into  sects." 

The  result  of  the  various  conferences  with  the  Governor  was 
that  Smith  and  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  Mormons  agreed  to- 
surrender  and  stand  trial  at  Carthage,  under  assurance  of  protec- 
tion. We  again  quote  from  Ford's  history  : 


\ 


HISTORY   OF   MDONOUGH    COUNTY.  87 

"On  the  twenty-third,  or  twenty-fourth  day  of  June,  Joseph 
Smith,  the  mayor  of  !N"auvoo,  together  with  his  brother  Hiram 
and  all  the  members  of  the  council,  and  all  others  demanded, 
came  into  Carthage  and  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the 
constable  on  the  charge  of  riot.  They  all  voluntarily  entered 
into  a  recognizance  before  the  justice  of  the  peace,  for  their  ap- 
pearance at  court  to  answer  the  charge,  and  all  of  them  were  dis- 
charged from  custody  except  Joseph  and  Hiram  Smith,  against 
whom  the  magistrate  had  issued  a  new  writ,  on  a  complaint  of 
treason.  They  were  immediately  arrested  by  the  constable  on 
this  charge,  and  retained  in  his  custody  to  answer  it. 

uThe  overt  act  of  treason  charged  against  them  consisted  in  the 
alleged  levying  of  war  against  the  State  by  declaring  martial  law 
in  Xauvoo,  and  in  ordering  out  the  legion  to  resist  the  posse 
comitatus.  Their  actual  guiltiness  of  the  charge  would  depend 
upon  circumstances.  If  their  opponents  had  been  seeking  to  put 
the  law  in  force  in  good  faith,  and  nothing  more,  then  an  array 
of  military  force  in  open  resistance  to  the  posse  comitatus  and 
the  militia  of  the  State,  most  probably  would  have  amounted  to 
treason.  But  if  those  opponents  merely  intended  to  use  the  pro- 
cess of  the  law,  the  militia  of  the  State  and  the  posse  comitatus, 
as  cat's  paws  to  compass  the  possession  of  their  persons  for  the 
purpose  of  murdering  them  afterwards,  as  the  sequel  demon- 
strated the  fact  to  be,  it  might  well  be  doubted  whether  they 
were  guilty  of  treason. 

"After  the  Smith's  had  been  arrested  on  the  new  charge  of 
treason,  the  justice  of  the  peace  postponed  the  examination,  be- 
cause neither  of  the  parties  were  prepared  with  their  witnesses 
for  trial.  In  the  meantime,  he  committed  them  to  the  jail  of  the 
county  for  greater  security." 

A  great  desire  was  manifested  on  the  part  of  the  militia,  es- 
pecially from  this  county,  to  see  Joe  Smith,  the  great  leader  of 
the  Mormons,  so  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-seventh  of  June, 
under  guard  of  the  Carthage  Grays,  commanded  by  Captain  R. 
F.  Smith,  afterwards  the  gallant  Colonel  of  the  Sixteenth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  he  was 
marched  around  the  public  square,  and  thence  taken  back  to  the 
jail.  The  Governor  then  disbanded  the  principal  part  of  the  mi- 
litia, placed  the  Carthage  Grays  as  a  guard  around  the  jail,  and 
proceeded  to  Xauvoo  for  the  purpose  of  exerting  his  influence 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

with  the  Mormons  in  favor  of  peace.  The  volunteers  from  Mc- 
Donough  immediately  returned  home,  leaving  Carthage  about 
two  o'clock,  P.  M.  The  Governor  arrived  in  Nauvoo  about  four 
o'clock  the  same  day,  and  as  soon  as  notice  could  be  given,  a  crowd, 
estimated  at  from  one  to  five  thousand,  assembled  to  hear  him 
speak.  He  counselled  their  obedience  to  the  law,  and  asked  their 
co-operation  in  sustaining  all  lawful  measures,  and  then  called  for 
a  vote  as  to  whether  his  advice  should  be  followed.  Of  course, 
they  voted  to  be  law-abiding  citizens.  A  short  time  before  sun- 
down he  started  on  his  return  to  Carthage,  and  had  proceeded 
about  two  miles  when  he  was  met  by  two  men — one  of  theoi  a 
Mormon — who  informed  him  that  Smith  was  killed.  Ordering 
the  two  men  under  arrest,  he  hastened  on  to  Carthage.  Says  the 
Governor,  pp.  348 — 3-19: 

"As  for  myself  it  [the  news  of  the  murder]  was  perfectly  astound- 
ing, and  I  anticipated  the  very  worst  consequences  from  it.  The 
Mormons  had  been  represented  to  me  as  a  lawless,  infatuated  and 
fanatical  people,  not  governed  by  the  ordinary  motives  which  in- 
fluence the  rest  of  mankind.  It'  so,  most  likely  an  exterminating 
war  would  ensue,  and  the  whole  land  would  be  covered  with  deso- 
lation. Acting  upon  this  supposition,  it  was  my  duty  to  provide 
as  well  as  I  could  tor  the  event.  I  therefore  ordered  the  two  mes- 
sengers into  custody,  and  to  be  returned  with  us  to  Carthage. 
This  was  done  to  make  such  arrangements  as  could  be  made,  and 
to  prevent  any  sudden  explosion  of  Mormon  excitement  before 
they  could  be  written  to  by  their  friends  at  Carthage.  I  also  dis- 
patched messengers  to  Warsaw  to  advise  the  citizens  of  the  event. 
But  the  pepple  there  knew  all  about  it  before  my  messengers  ar- 
rived. They,  like  myself,  anticipated  attack  all  over  the  country. 
The  women  and  children  were  moved  across  the  river,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  dispatched  that  night  to  Quincy  for  assistance.  The 
next  morning  by  daylight  the  ringing  of  bells  in  the  city  of  Quincy 
announced  a  public  meeting.  The  people  assembled  in  great 
numbers  at  an  early  hour.  The  Warsaw  committee  stated  to  the 
meeting  that  a  party  of  Mormons  had  attempted  to  rescue  the  Smiths 
out  of  jail;  that  a  party  of  Missourians  and  others  had  killed  the 
prisoners  to  prevent  their  escape;  that  the  Governor  and  his  party 
were  at  Nauvoo  at  the  time  when  intelligence  of  the  fact  was 
brought  there  ;  that  they  had  been  attacked  by  the  Nauvoo  Legion, 
and  had  retreated  to  a  house  where  they  were  then  closely  besieged ; 
that  the  Governor  had  sent  out  word  that  he  could  maintain  his 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  89 

position  for  two  days,  and  would  be  certain  to  be  massacred  if  as- 
sistance did  not  arrive  by  the  end  of  that  time.  It  is  unnecessary 
to  say  that  this  entire  story  was  fabricated.  It  was  of  a  piece  of 
the  other  reports  put  into  circulation  by  the  anti-Mormon  party  to 
influence  the  public  mind  and  call  the  people  to  their  assistance. 
The  effect  of  it,  however,  was  that  by  10  o'clock  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  June  between  two  and  three  hundred  men  from  Quincy, 
under  command  of  Major  Flood,  embarked  on  board  of  a  steam- 
boat for  Xauvoo,  to  assist  in  raising  the  siege,  as  they  honestly 
believed. 

"  As  for  myself,  I  was  well  convinced  that  those,  whoever  they 
were,  who  assassinated  the  Smiths,  meditated  in  turn  my  assassi- 
nation by  the  Mormons.  The  very  circumstances  of  the  case  fully 
corroborated  the  information  which  I  afterwards  received,  that 
upon  consultation  of  the  assassins,  it  was  agreed  amongst  them 
that  the  murder  must  be  committed  whilst  the  Governor  was  at 
Xauvoo :  that  the  Mormons  would  naturally  suppose  he  planned 
it,  and  in  the  first  outpouring  of  their  indignation,  they  would 
assassinate  him,  by  way  of  retaliation.  And  that  thus  they  would 
get  clear  of  the  Smiths  and  the  Governor  all  at  once.  They  also 
supposed,  that  if  they  could  so  contrive  the  matter  as  to  have  the 
Governor  of  the  State  assassinated  by  the  Mormons,  the  public 
excitement  would  be  greatly  increased  against  that  people,  and 
would  result  in  their  expulsion  from  the  State  at  least. " 

On  pages  353 — 355,  the  Governor  relates  the  following  account 
of  the  murder: 

"It  was  many  days  after  the  assassination  of  the  Smith's 
before  the  circumstances  of  the  murder  fully  became  known.  It 
then  appeared  that,  agreeably  to  previous  orders,  the  posse  at 
Warsaw  had  marched,  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  June,  in  the 
direction  of  Golden's  Point,  with  a  view  to  join  the  force  from 
Carthage,  the  whole  body  then  to  be  marched  into  Nauvoo.  But 
by  the  time  they  had  gone  eight  miles,  they  were  met  by  the  or- 
der to  disband ;  and  learning  at  the  same  time  that  the  Governor 
was  absent  at  Xauvoo,  about  two  hundred  of  these  men,  many  of 
them  being  disguised  by  blacking  their  faces  with  powder  and 
mud,  hastened  to  Carthage.  There  they  encamped  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  village,  and  soon  learned  that  one  of  the  companies 
lett  as  guard  had  disbanded  and  returned  to  their  homes ;  the 
other  company,  the  Carthage  Grays,  was  stationed  by  the  captain 


90  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

in  the  public  square,  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  jail, 
whilst  eight  men  were  detailed  by  him,  under  the  command  of 
Sergeant  Franklin  A.  Worrell,  to  guard  the  prisoners.  A  com- 
munication was  soon  established  between  the  conspirators  and  the 
company,  and  it  was  arranged  that  the  guards  should  have  their 
guns  charged  with  blank  cartridges,  and  fire  at  the  assailants 
when  they  attempted  to  enter  the  jail.  Gen.  Deming,  who  was 
left  in  command,  being  deserted  by  some  of  his  troops  and  per- 
ceiving the  arrangements  with  the  others,  and  having  no  force 
upon  which  he  could  rely,  for  fear  of  his  life  retired  from  the  vil- 
lage. The  conspirators  came  up,  jumped  the  slight  fence  around 
the  jail,  were  fired  upon  by  the  guards,  which,  according  to  ar- 
rangements, were  overpowered  immediately,  and  the  assailants  en- 
tered the  prison  to  the  door  of  the  room,  where  the  two  prison- 
ers were  confined  with  two  of  their  friends  who  voluntarily  bore 
them  company.  An  attempt  was  made  to  break  open  the  door  ; 
but  Joseph  Smith  being  armed  with  a  six  barrelled  pistol,  fur- 
nished by  his  friends,  fired  several  times  as  the  door  was  bursted 
open,  and  wounded  three  of  the  assailants.  At  the  same  time 
several  shots  were  fired  into  the  room  by  some  of  which  John 
Taylor  received  four  wounds,  and  Hiram  Smith  was  instantly 
killed.  Joe  Smith  attempted  to  escape  by  jumping  out  the  sec- 
ond story  window;  but  the  fall  so  stunned  him  that  he  wao  una- 
ble to  rise;  and  being  placed  in  a  sitting  posture  by  the  conspi- 
rators below,  they  dispatched  him  with  four  balls  shot  through 
his  body. 

"  Thus  fell  Joe  Smith,  the  most  successful  impostor  in  modern 
times,  a  man  who,  though  ignorant  and  coarse,  had  some  great 
natural  parts,  which  fitted  him  for  temporary  success,  but  which 
were  so  'obscured  and  counteracted  by  the  inherent  corruption 
and  vices  of  his  nature,  that  he  never  could  succeed  in  establishing 
a  system  of  policy  which  looked  to  permanent  success  in  the 
future.  His  lusts,  his  love  of  money  and  power,  always  set  him  to 
studying  present  gratification  and  convenience,  rather  than  the 
remote  consequences  of  his  plans.  It  seems  that  no  power  of 
intellect  can  save  a  corrupt  man  from  this  error.  The  strong 
cravings  of  the  animal  nature  will  never  give  fair  play  to  a  fine 
understanding,  the  judgment  is  never  allowed  to  choose  that  good 
which  is  -far  away  in  preference  to  the  enticing  evil  near  at  hand. 
And  this  may  be  considered  a  wise  ordinance  of  Providence,  by 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  91 

which  the  councils  of  talented  but  corrupt  men  are  defeated  in  the 
very  act  which  promised  success." 

That  it  was  a  brutal  and  premeditated  murder  cannot  be,  and 
is  not,  denied  at  this  day.  But  the  end  of  the  murderers  was  not 
gained,  as  the  Mormons  did  not  evacuate  Xauvoo  for  two  years 
afterwards.  In  the  meantime  the  excitement  and  prejudice 
against  this  people  were  not  allowed  to  die  out.  Horse  stealing 
was  quite  common,  and  every  case  that  occurred  was  charged  to 
the  Mormons.  That  they  were  guilty  of  it  cannot  be  denied,  but 
a  great  deal,  we  now  know,  was  by  organized  bands  of  thieves, 
who  knew  they  could  carry  on  their  nefarious  business  with  more 
safety  as  long  as  suspicion  could  be  placed  upon  the  Mormons. 

Before  the  spring  of  1846  the  great  majority  of  the  Mormons 
had  left  Xauvoo,  but  still  a  large  number  remained.  About  this 
time  a  man  by  the  name  of  Debenheyer  was  killed  near  the  town 
of  Pontoosuc,  and  buried  in  a  ditch  by  the  side  of  a  sod  fence. 
The  murderers  were  unknown,  but  a  number  of  Mormons  had 
been  lying  around  the  neighborhood  for  some  time  making  night 
hideous  with  their  noise,  and  were  ordered  away.  They  refused 
to  go,  when,  one  day  while  at  work  in  a  field  surrounded  on 
three  sides  by  timber,  they  were  surrounded  by  forty  or  fifty  anti- 
Mormons,  who  captured  them,  took  them  to  the  place  where  Deb- 
enheyer had  been  buried,  stripped  them  of  their  clothing,  gave 
each  of  them  thirty  and  nine  lashes  upon  their  bare  backs,  and 
again  bid  them  go.  They  went  to  Xauvoo,  reported  the  matterr 
and  a  few  nights  afterwards  a  large  number  of  the  Mormons  sur- 
rounded the  house  of  Major  McCauley,  who  lived  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  occurrence,  and  demanded  his  surrender.  J.  AY. 
Brattle,  now  of  Macomb,  was  stopping  with  him,  and  was  like- 
wise arrested  and  taken  with  him  to  Xauvoo.  The  men  were 
held  for  several  days,  when,  after  due  trial,  they  were  discharged. 
They  would  probably  not  have  been  let  off  so  easily  had  not  sev- 
eral leading  Mormons  been  taken  by  the  anti-Mormon  party  and 
held  as  hostages. 

Some  time  in  the  years  1845  or  1846,  a  party  of  Mormons 
started  from  Xauvoo  in  search  of  a  young  man  whom  they 
thought  had  done  them  an  injury.  The  young  man  fled  to  the 
house  of  John  Vance,  Esq.,  living  near  Blaudinsville,  and,  as  the 
Mormons  were  in  close  pursuit,  jumped  into  bed,  covered  up,  arid 
told  Mrs.  Vance  to  tell  the  party  he  was  her  son.  Quick  as  a 
flash  she  took  in  the  situation,  and,  seizing  a  white  handkerchief 


92  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

she  wet  it  and  laid  it  over  his  head.  When  the  Mormons  came 
in  she  requested  them  to  be  very  quiet,  for  her  son  was  in  a 
high  fever.  Observing  the  young  man  in  bed  they  pursued 
their  search  as  quietly  as  possible,  and  soon  retired.  The  young 
man  afterwards  remarked  it  was  no  sham  about  his  being  in  a 
high  lever,  for  well  he  knew  if  his  identity  had  been  discovered, 
his  life  would  not  have  been  worth  a  farthing. 

About  the  first  of  September,  1846,  a  writ  was  issued  against 
several  leading  Mormons,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  John  Carlin, 
of  Carthage,  for  execution.  Carlin  called  out  a  posse  to  help  make 
the  arrest.  Two  or  three  companies  of  men  went  from  this  county 
to  his  aid,  and  quite  a  large  force  was  soon  gathered  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  ISrauvoo.  Carlin,  not  being  a  military  man,  placed  the 
command  of  the  posse  first  under  General  Singleton,  and  after- 
ward under  Colonel  Brockman,  who  proceeded  to  invest  the  city, 
erecting  breastworks,  and  taking  other  means  for  defensive  as  well 
as  offensive  operations.  What  was  then  termed  a  battle  next  took 
place,  resulting  in  the  death  of  one  Mormon  and  the  wounding  of 
several  others,  and  mortally  wounding  one  man  who  volunteered 
from  this  county,  but  a  citizen  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  here  on 
a  visit,  and  slightly  wounding  several  others. 

While  the  greater  number  of  the  male  citizens  of  Macomb  were 
gone  to  Nauvoo,  apprehension  was  felt  by  the  women  that  an  at- 
tack might  be  made  on  the  town,  and  they  would  not  rest  con- 
tent without  a  guard  every  night  to  give  the  alarm  in  case  the 
Mormons  appeared.  James  M.  Campbell  and  others  agreed  to 
act  as  guard,  and  every  night  about  dark  would  begin  their 
regular  patrol.  They  would  remain  out  until  the  lights  about 
town  were  put  out  and  the  inhabitants  were  supposed  to  be  asleep 
when  they  would  go  home  to  bed.  A  gentleman  from  Ohio  was 
at  Macomb  at  this  time,  coming  out  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
land  for  a  future  home,  but  learning  of  the  troubles,  and  hearing 
the  cannon  firing  at  Nauvoo,  which  could  be  heard  very  distinctly 
at  the  former  place,  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  home,  swearing 
that  he  would  not  live  in  a  country  where  the  inhabitants  were 
engaged  in  killing  one  another.  If  this  gentleman  would  return 
to  the  county  now  and  see  the  great  improvements  that  have  been 
made,  he  would  certainly  be  sorry  that  he  was  so  hasty  in  forming 
his  conclusions. 

The  Mormons  now  realized  that  their  time  had  come.  Says 
Ford,  pages  423-425  : 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  9S 

"  At  last,  through  the  intervention  of  an  anti-Mormon  committee 
of  one  hundred  from  Quincy,  the  Mormons  and  their  allies  were 
induced  to  submit  to  such  terms  as  the  posse  chose  to  dictate, 
which  were  that  the  Mormons  should  immediately  give  up  their 
arms  to  the  Quincy  committee,  and  remove  from  the  State. 

"The  trustees  of  the  Church  and  five  of  their  clerks  were  permit- 
ted to  remain  for  the  sale  of  Mormon  property,  and  the  posse 
were  to  march  in  unmolested,  and  to  leave  a  sufficient  force  to 
guarantee  the  performance  of  their  stipulations. 

"Accordingly,  the  constable's  posse  marched  in  with  Brockman 
at  their  head,  consisting  of  about  eight  hundred  armed  men,  and 
six  or  seven  hundred  unarmed,  who  had  assembled  from  all  the 
country  around,  from  motives  of  curiosity,  to  see  the  once  proud 
city  of  Xauvoo  humbled,  and  delivered  up  to  its  enemies,  and  to 
the  domination  of  a  self- constituted  and  irresponsible  power. 
They  proceeded  into  the  city  slowly  and  carefully,  examining  the 
way  for  fear  of  the  explosion  of  a  mine,  many  of  which  had  been 
made  by  the  Mormons,  by  burying  kegs  of  powder  in  the  ground, 
with  a  man  stationed  at  a  distance  to  pull  a  string  communicating 
with  the  trigger  of  a  percussion  lock  affixed  to  the  keg.  This 
kind  of  contrivance  was  called  by  the  Mormons  a 'hell's  half 
acre.'  AVhen  the  posse  arrived  in  the  city,  the  leaders  of  it 
erected  themselves  into  a  tribunal  to  decide  who  should  be  forced 
away  and  who  remain.  Parties  were  dispatched  to  hunt  for 
Mormons'  arms  and  for  Mormons,  and  to  bring  them  to  judgment, 
where  they  received  their  doom  from  the  mouth  of  Brockman, 
who  then  sat  a  grim  and  unawed  tyrant  for  the  time.  As  a  general 
rule,  the  Mormons  were  ordered  to  leave  within  an  hour,  or  two 
hours;  and  by  rare  grace,  some  of  them  were  allowed  until  next 
day,  and  in  a  few  cases,  longer.  The  treaty  specified  that  the 
Mormons  only  should  be  driven  in  exile. 

"Nothing  was  said  in  it  concerning  the  new  citizens,  who  had 
with  the  Mormons  defended  the  city.  But  the  posse  no  sooner 
had  obtained  possession,  than  they  commenced  expelling  the  new 
citizens.  Some  of  them  were  ducked  into  the  river,  being  in  one 
or  two  instances  actually  baptised  in  the  name  of  the  leaders  of 
the  mob,  others  were  forcibly  driven  into  the  ferry  boats  to  be 
taken  over  the  river,  before  the  bayonets  of  armed  ruffians  ;  and 
it  is  believed  that  the  houses  of  most  of  them  were  broken  open 
and  their  furniture  stolen  during  their  absence.  Many  of  these 


94  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

new  settlers  were  strangers  in  the  country  from  various  parts  of 
the  United  States,  who  were  attracted  there  by  the  low  price  of 
property,  and  they  knew  but  little  of  previous  difficulties,  or  the 
merits  of  the  quarrel.  They  saw  with  their  own  eyes  that  the 
Mormons  were  industriously  preparing  to  go  away,  and  they 
knew  of  their  own  knowledge  that  an  effort  to  expel  them  with 
force  was  gratuitous  and  unnecessary  cruelty.  They  had  been 
trained,  by  the  States  from  whence  they  came,  to  abhor  mobs, 
and  to  obey  the  law,  and  they  volunteered  their  services  under  ex- 
ecutive authority,  to  defend  their  town  and  their  property  against 
mob  violence,  and  as  they  honestly  believed  from  distraction. 
But  in  this  way  they  were  partly  mistaken,  for  although  the  mob 
leaders,  in  the  exercise  of  unbridled  power,  were  guilty  of  many 
enormities  to  the  person  of  individuals,  and  although  much  per- 
sonal property  was  stolen,  yet  they  abstained  from  materially  in- 
juring houses  and  buildings.  The  most  that  was  done  in  this  way, 
was  the  stealing  of  the  doors  and  the  sash  of  the  windows  from 
the  houses  by  somebody.  The  anti-Mormons  allege  that  they 
were  carried  away  by  the  Mormons,  and  the  Mormons  aver  that 
the  most  of  them  were  stolen  by  the  anti-Mormons.  Thus 
ended  the  Mormon  war. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  names  of  those  who  were  out  from 
this  county  : 

E.  B.  Root,  Colonel ;  Levi  Warren,  Lieut.  Colonel;  Y.  E.  Rem- 
ington, Major;  Joseph  Shute,  Wagoner;  S.  McFarland,  Adju- 
tant; IL  Gilfrey,  Sergeant  Major;  Thos.  Gilfrey,  Quartermaster 
Sergeant;  Wm.  Duncan,  Quartermaster  Sergeant;  Dr.  H.  G. 
Ayer,  Surgeon. 

Captains. — Chas.  Creel,  A.  P.  Smith,  James  M,  Wilson,  Chas. 
W..  Waddill,  Wm.  S.  Hendricks,  Yandever  Banks,  Samuel  C. 
Hogan,  William  I.  Pace,  F.  D.  Lipe,  B.  Maxwell,  John  Long, 
Wm.  F.  Blandin,  Thomas  Davis,  J.  L.  K  Hall. 

Lieutenants. — Joseph  Crawford,  Peter  McClure,  J.  L.  Cross, 
I.  C.  Webb,  Harry  R.  Ilolden,  John  Baker,  Thomas  Shippey, 
John  Smith,  John  R.  Edmondson,  H.  H.  Burr,  Milton  L.  Archer, 
Patrick  Laughlin,  Thomas  Mustain,  Richard  Brightwell,  William 
Edmondson,  I.  L.  Twyman,  James  S.  Palmer,  Absolom  Parker, 
William  B.  Clarke,  Bethel  Owen,  Philetus  Rice,  J.  C.  D.  Carmack, 
Jonathan  L.  Berry,  Andrew  Alison,  George  C.  Yest,  John  C. 
Webb,  Y.  M.  Hardin,  A.  Dorothy,  Perry  Langford,  Harrison 
Hungate,  Joseph  P.  Gates. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOROUGH  COUNTY.  95 

Private..*. — Henry  Thompson,  John  Creel,  John  W.  Clarke, 
G.  E.  Robinson,  Silas  Creel,  David  Hogsett,  William  Brooking, 
E.  Brooking,  Levi  Hamilton,  James  R.  Simpson,  Ross  Penan, 
Harper  McCandless,  James  Kepple,  John  S.  Campbell,  Hugh 
Ervin,  John  Snap;"),  D.  M.  Crabb,  Jonathan  Palmer,  TVilliam 
Hamilton,  Garret  Bonham,  Thomas  Davis,  George  Yanhowten, 
George  Nichols,  George  TV.  TVade,  J.  H.  Michael,  Durham  Creel, 
Valentine  Clayton,  Xicholas  Bowman,  Rutherford  McClure,  Cal- 
vin Canote,  TVilliam  Stephens,  Thomas  K.  TVaddle,  John  Craw- 
ford, Charles  Kepple,  Andrew  Walker,  John  Bishop,  Ephraim 
Banning,  John  Stokes,  P.  Hamilton,  D.  R.  Hamilton,  Michael 
Harris,  William  M.  McCartney,  John  Jackson,  George  Boothe, 
TViley  M.  Sloan,  TVilliam  Stewart,  O.  II.  Casley,  S.  A.  Hunt, 
C.  TV.  Dunsworth,  Patrick  Aber,  Lewis  Mourning,  Richard  Mus- 
son,  Abraham  Stephens,  Joseph  Riley,  Thomas  J.  Hunt,  Shad 
Goan,  TVilliam  Boycl,  Peter  Dye,  Edmond  Bean,  Thomas  White, 
John  J.  Lower,  Luke  Prentice,  James  Chamberlain,  Levi  Done, 
Isaac  Bacon,  TVilliam  Stroud,  Eliphate  Jarvis,  J.  L.  Cross,  TVil- 
liam B.  Walker,  J.  M.  Head,  G.  S.  Hainline,  J.  X.  Clark,  R.  J. 
Scott,  G.  TV.  Head,  John  S.  Wilson,  William  B.  Head,  H.  H. 
McGee,  Robert  Garheart,  James  Dye,  A.  J.  TValker,  Stephen 
White,  Eli  Campbell,  TV.  TV.  Clayton,  TVilliam  Lower,  Silas 
Parker,  Samuel  M.  Xot,  James  Stroud,  Abraham  Fulkerson, 
James  Wilson,  William  B.  Clarke,  John  Rollins,  A.  D.  McBride, 
J.  TV.  Walker,  George  Painter,  Samuel  McCray,  Samuel  Bland, 
George  Head,  J.  B.  Stapp,  A.  G.  Haineline,  Orin  Chatterton, 
Jacob  Strickle,  Michael  Youst,  J.  Mitchell,  G.  TV.  Eyres,  J.  H. 
Head,  Xathan  Hainliue,  Samuel  Clark,  Frank  Clarke,  Xelson 
Montgomery,  S.  H.  Gillihan,  C.  W.  Fulkerson,  William  Owens, 
Hugh  McDonough,  David  Badger,  Jonathan  Parker,  Allen  Por- 
ter, Asa  Decker,  Elias  Clem,  Andrew  Jackson,  Thomas  Jackson, 
Bartlett  Whittiugton,  TVilliam  Gibson,  TVilliam  Badger,  Corne- 
lius McDonough,  John  C.  Conants,  Xathaniel  Barker,  Ambrose 
G.  Owen,  James  Moore,  Lewis  Scalf,  George  Crossier,  Charles 
Jackson,  Peter  McDonough,  David  Kepple,  R.  G.  King,  John 
Badger,  Roswell  Tyrrell,  TVilliam  Grafton,  Ladwick  Courier, 
Matthew  Franiel,  C.  G.  Gilchrist,  B.  B.  Jackson,  William 
Ervin,  D.  Boyd,  James  Rigdou,  John  Twidwell,  Isham 
Rigdon,  Josiah  Ralston,  John  Smith,  Isaac  Garrett,  H.  Garrett, 
Isaac  Smith,  Henry  Garrett,  H.  Melton,  Allen  Melton,  Bird  Smith, 
John  B.  Wear,  Joseph  D.  Wear,  TV.  Melton,  Andrew  D.  Wear, 


96  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Augustus  Lillard,  James  Hendricks,  David  Jenkins,  Reuben  Alex- 
ander, John  Kennedy,  Soloman  Kennedy,  John  Hill,  Levi  Sawyer, 
Nicholas  Jarvis,  Isaac  Howell,  Isaac  Welch,  N.  C.  Averell,  Y.  A. 
Caldwell,  Thomas  J.  Caldwell,  G.  W.  Welch,  J.  R.Welch,  Jefierson 
Welch,  B.  J.  Welch,  H.  J.  Averill,  John  James,  William  Car- 
mack,  Henry  Carmack,  Mosea  Stookey,  William  Walker,  Rufus 
Botts,  N.  B.  Wooley,  James  Williams,  Othias  De  Haven,  James 
Dorothy,  Jessie  Hainline,  Hiram  Hainline,  John  Logan,  Jr.,  Wil- 
liam Martin,  Henry  Martin,  Joshua  White,  William  Hardestry, 
James  Milsaps,  James  Seybold,  Henry  H.  Monarch,  E.  T.  Mon- 
arch, Isaac  Bogart,  Jacob  Hutchinson,  Jacob  Keithley,  C.  C. 
Hungate,  A.  G.  McCord,  William  McCord,  James  Jarvis,  Slocum 
Wooley,  Roily  Martin,  Charles  Martin,  Moses Haskins,  Beta  Has- 
kins,  John  Caldwell,  Oliver  C.  Smith,  S.  M.  C.  Penriington,  Robert 
Andrews,  Henry  W.  Foster,  James  F.  Greenup,  Thomas  Richard- 
son, Anson  Richardson,  Martin  Miles,  William  Waddle,  Robert 
Comer,  Cyrus  Wing,  Clem  Reddick,  James  McKee,  John  W. 
Lane,  James  Fulton,  James  McCurdy,  Jonas  Hushaw,  Elam 
Chockley,  Watson  Chockley,  Benjamin  Chockley,  Richard  Chock- 
ley,  Isom  J.  David,  William  Toland,  Thomas  Toland,  George 
Woods,  Randolph  Hall,  John  Seward,  D.  Sandridge,  Thomas 
Bailey,  John  P.  Kinkade,  George  W.  Shultz,  Walter  Scott,  James 
H.  Atkinson,  Edmond  Cave,  Jerry  Sullivan,  James  Walker,  John 
Allison,  Nelson  Campbell,  Samuel  Pollock,  T.  W.  Greenup,  Wil- 
liam Henley,  Alfred  Ripitow, Benjamin  Miller,  Jessie  Jeams,Ghol- 
son  Lane,  Elisha  Dungan,  Jessie  Beck,  William  Beck,  G.  W. 
Coker,  William  Sullivan,  Alfred  Gibson,  James  Gibson,  William 
Rice,  Robert  Smithers,  John  Hushaw,  Johnson  Downer,  Joel 
Pennington,  Lewis  Springer,  Fountain  C.  Tomberlin,  Travis 
Miller,  A.  J.  Cockeram,  John  J.  Wyatt,  Nathan  Hayes,  B.  T. 
Gibson,  Wesley  Harlan,  Robert  Black,  William  B.  Peak,  James 
Rasor,  David  Later,  Edmond  Naylor,  Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Hugh 
Black,  Robert  L.  Dark,  Samuel  McClnre,  Morton  Pringle,  Wil- 
liam S.  Bailey,  D.  C.  Riggs,  Edmond  Barber,  William  H.  Pringle, 
John  McCormick,  Nicholas  Edmondson,  Shad.  Campbell,  Isaac 
McCowren,  Benjamin  Stephen,  John  Friend,  Robert  Barber,  Archi- 
bald Edmondson,  Thomas  Dungan,  George  W.  Mitchell,  William 
W.  McCormick,  Francis  Wayland,  Joel  Wayland,  Francis  Rice, 
Thomas  Allison,  Andrew  Allison,  G.  C.  Lane,  Anderson  Cannon, 
Jessie  Niece,  Henry  Perry,  Alexander  Provine,  John  Fletcher, 
William  Walker,  Jacob  Massingil,  Nathan  Stephens,  Joseph 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  97 

Bailey,  Elijah  Stephens,  Israel  Camp,  Jr.,  John  Barrett,  William 
J.  Despain,  William  Gahagan,  Jonathan  Comar,  T.  B.  McCor- 
mick,  Xathan  Scott,  John  E.  Jackson,  "William  Lovely,  George 
W.  Xiece,  L.  M.  Hobart,  James  Perry,  George  Hume,  A.  H.  Rot- 
ledge,  David  Scott,  Joseph  Haines,  Isaac  Fugate,  John  W.  Fugate, 
Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Shoopman,  Jacob  S.  Matthews,  Edward 
Dixon,  B.  Mason,  B.  B.  Edmondson,  John  G.  Stoneking,  Thomas 
E.  Smedley,  J.  J.  Smedley,  Caleb  Husted,  John  Bundridge,  H.  V. 
Craig,  Samuel  Calvin,  Robert  Clugston,  John  McCoy,  G.  W.  Shoop- 
man, Carrol  Lane,  John  Wilson,  Jr.,  William  Yenard,  C.  Pruit, 
William  T.  Wells;  J.  C.  Vawter,  William  Shannon,  Russell  Riggs, 
John  E.  Riggs,  John  Xankeville,  William  Thompson,  Charles 
Patrick,  M.  C.  Archer,  Xathan  Dunsworth,  James  Duusworth, 
Thomas  Hunt,  Amos  Gibson,  Arch.  Holstein,  Robert  McCumsey, 
Washington  Owens,  John  Patrick,  Samuel  Dark,  John  Ferguson, 
J.  Q.  McClure,  Robert  Archer,  Robert  Hall,  G.  A.  Tayl,  William 
Parks,  George  Venard,  Peter  Riggs,  John  B.  Case,  Ximrod  Dus- 
kill,  James  C.  Archer,  Jacob  Waimac,  William  T.  Archer,  John  L 
Foster,  William  W.  Wilson,  John  Crisp,  A.  J.  Edmonston,  James 
McPeters,  William  Owens,  J.  J.  Mathews,  Samuel  Wilson, 
William  Ellis,  Hugh  B.  Smiley,  John  Monk,  Samuel  Haney,  N". 

B.  Hardin,  B.  Past,  Sanford  Past,  Jasper  Twichell,  Joseph  Over- 
ton,  G.  Haiuline,  John  Ledgerwood,  John  Purdy,   J.  H.  Hughes, 
Jacob  Humbert,  Francis  McSpirit,  Smith  Haines,  J.  H.  Baker,  A. 

C.  Bristow,  Reuben  Harris,  Daniel  Duncan,  D.  Bristow,  Sylvester 
Ruddle,  Wesley  Langford,  Preston  Anderson,  H.  Mayhew,  James 
Peak,   Robert   Dorothy,  Lewis   Past,  J.  E.  Lansdown,  Lorenzo 
Twichell,  D.  F.  Martin,  S.    Stewart,  G.  G.  Guy,  William  Scott,  J. 
Rollins,  William' Humbert,  William  Stickles,  Allen  Bland,  H.  S. 
Head,    Hiram    Bellew,    William    D.  Mustain,    Robert  Kellison, 
William  J.    Epperson,    James    D.  Eads,   E.  F.  Randall,  Nathan 
Ferris,  James  P.  Birtland,  Thomas  Speaks,  C.  A.  Brown,  William 
E.  Duncan,   Joseph   Duncan,  William  Wilson,   Simeon   Everett, 
H.  G  Woodside,   John  Hall,   Francis  McKay,  John  L.    Charter, 
Henry  Dorothy,    Redmond  Grigsby,  Silas  Grigsby,  David  Alton, 
Henry   Alton,   Hugh    Conner,    John    Hagerty,    William    Moss, 
George  Bughman,   Philetus   Knight,   John   Bowman,  Jonathan 
Charter,   A.  L.  Bryant,   B.  B.  Head,  Ephraim   Hammer,    Squire 
Charter,  John  T.  Mustain,  Samuel   Dunlap,  James  Ward,  James 
Grigsby,  William    Grigsby,  Adonijah  Hungate,  Dotson  Seybold, 

H— 7 


98  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

John  Vance,  Isaac  Harris,  Alva  Alton.  John  Huston,  John  Dan- 
can,  John  L.  Gordon,  Alexander  McCullin,  John  Gilfrey,  Sr., 
Norman  Davis,  John  T.  Gilfrey,  N.  Herrin,  C.  A.  Lawson,  G.  A. 
Farwell,  K  Montgomery,  T.  B.  Maury,  P.  H.  Walker,  Merritt  A. 
Russell,  William  L.  Broaddus,  G.  W.  Smith,  Joseph  Long,  R. 
H.  Broaddus,  Samuel  S.  Whitmire,  Joshua  Conrad,  J.  M.  Martin, 
Thomas  Pickett,  James  Cannon,  J.  P.  Head,  David  Lawspn, 
Manva  Perry,  William  H.  Randolph,  J.  P.  Updegraff,  W.  H. 
Kendrick,  John  Lowry,  T.  J.  Beard,  Andrew  Lewis,  J.  E.  Wyne, 
T.  M.  Luster,  Milton  Sweeney,  B.  F.  Martin,  John  L.  Anderson, 
N.  McElrath,  C.  M.  Duffee,  W.  H.  Kyle,  Thomas  Adcock,  William 
S.  Hail,  G.  W.  Watt,  William  H.  Phelps,  Henry  Towls,  William 
B.  Gordon,  Martin  Read,  James  B.  McCartney,  John  Wiley,  C. 
W.  Dallam,  Marshall  Rogers,  Wesley  Freeland,  William  Ervin, 
R.  M.  Bonham,  Thomas  McElrath,  James  Walker,  James  Ander- 
son, Richard  Rowley,  Logan  Kyle,  Daniel  D.  Rail,  J.  C.  Roberts, 
Robert  Cannon,  James  B.  Kyle,  S.  C.  Watson,  James  Martin, 
John  Harrow,  Samuel  McKamy,  J.  O.  C.  Wilson,  Abner  Walker, 
J.  H.  Updegraff,  Theodore  Laughlin,  B.  R.  Hampton,  Charles 
Chandler,  Michael  Martin,  Robert  H.  Broaddus,  William  F. 
McCandless,  R.  F.  Anderson,  Joseph  Bailey,  Gowen  Decamp, 
Daniel  Courtwright,  Joseph  W.  McDonald,  William  Courtwright. 
O.  C.  Cannon,  R.  A.  Brazelton,  Charles  Dunn,  R.  Garrett,  Daniel 
Sullivan,  John  M.  Sullivan. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  original  pass  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mrs.  Charles  R.  Hume  : 

CAETHAGE,  June  23,  1844. 

Permit  Joseph  L.  Blandin  to  pass  and  rep  ass  to  and  from  Nauvoo,  and  to  bring  from 
thence  his  son  Joseph  C.  Blandin  without  molestation. 

THOS.  FOKD, 

Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief. 
Also  furnish  those  psrsona  to  bring  any  of  their  property  with  them. 

THOS.  FORD, 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  99 


CHAPTER  X. 

A    NEWSPAPER    AND    A    RAILROAD. 

In  the  spring  of  1844,  occurred  the  greatest  fall  of  water  ever 
known  in  the  western  country.  The  Mississippi  river  was  higher 
than  ever  known  before  or  since.  All  the  streams  in  the  county 
were  over  their  banks  ;  but  little  planting  was  done  and  not  a 
half  crop  raised,  B.  R.  Hampton,  Esq.,  before  the  rains  began 
to  fall  went  to  Ohio  on  a  visit.  Returning,  he  left  the  boat  at 
Frederick,  but  could  secure  no  conveyance  to  this  county,  and  was 
therefore  compelled  to  return  on  foot.  The  few  bridges  in  the 
Bounty  were  all  washed  away  or  covered  with  water ;  even  small 
streams  like  Kill  Jordan  were  too  high  to  ford.  Mr.  H.  was  com- 
pelled to  strap  his  clothes  upon  his  back  and  swim  across  each. 

In  1847,  a  State  election  was  held  for  members  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention,  which  convention  prepared  and  submitted  to 
the  people  a  new  constitution  which  was  adopted  by  a  large  major- 
ity. By  this  constitution,  in  place  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court,  a  County  Court  was  organized  in  each  county.  This  court 
consisted  of  a  County  Judge,  and  if  the  legislature  saw  proper  to 
so  order  it,  two  Associate  Justices.  This  the  legislature  favorably 
acted  upon. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  was  held 
September  3 — 8,  1849,  Joel  Pennington,  C.  C.  Hungate,  and 
Samuel  Calvin  being  members,  all  of  whom  were  present.  After 
the  transaction  of  such  business  as  properly  came  before  them, 
they  adjourned  "until  court  in  course,"  but  never  re-assembled. 

On  the  third  day  of  December,  of  the  same  year,  the  first  regu- 
lar term  of  the  County  Court  was  held.  The  duties  of  this  court 
in  a  legislative  capacity,  were  precisely  the  same  as  those  of  the 
County  Commissioners'  Court.  The  court  itself  consisted  of  a 


100 

County  Judge  and  two  Associate  Justices.  In  addition  to  the 
legislative  powers,  the  members  of  this  court  were  permitted  to 
exercise  judicial  authority,  having  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  Justices  of  the  Peace,  together  with  all  probate  business.  Hon. 
James  Clarke  was  elected  the  first  County  Judge  to  serve  four 
years.  The  first  Associate  Justices  were  Charles  R.  Hume  and 
C.  C.  Hungate,  Blandinsville.  No  business  was  transacted  at  this 
first  term,  save  the  allowance  of  a  few  bills  and  the  appointment 
of  viewers  to  view  and  locate  certain  roads.  The  court  was  in 
session  three  days. 

In  1851  the  subject  of  a  railroad  was  extensively  agitated  in 
this  county.  A  charter  had  been  granted  by  the  State  for  the 
building  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad,  running  from  Meredosia 
to  Springfield.  It  was  proposed,  under  the  provisions  of  this 
charter,  to  build  a  branch  of  this  road  through  McDonough  Coun- 
ty, having  its  terminus  at  Clayton,  in  Adams  county.  The  ter- 
minus was  afterwards  changed  to  Quincy. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  George  W.  Smith  and  Theodore  L. 
Terry  started  a  paper  in  Macomb  called  the  McDonough  Inde- 
pendent. This  sheet  proposed  to  be  "independent  in  aU  things; 
neutral  in  nothing,"  and  was  edited  with  considerable  ability  by 
George  W.  Smith,  the  senior  proprietor.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  whole- 
souled,  jovial  fellow,  and  withal  a  talented  man — himself  his 
worst  enemy.  In  the  files  of  this  paper,  now  in  possession  of  J. 
M.  Campbell,  Esq.,  to  which  we  had  access,  there  are  flashes  of 
wit  equal  to  any  "take  off"  of  George  D.  Prentice,  the  Danbury 
man,  or  other  wit  of  modern  times.  Mr.  Smith  came  to  an  un- 
timely end  by  a  fall  from  the  fourth  story  window  of  a  hotel  in 
Hannibal,  Missouri,  about  the  year  1864  or  1865.  The  paper  had 
an  existence  of  about  four  years  and  a  half.  The  last  year  it  re- 
nounced "  independency "  and  became  a  firm  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party;  but,  in  consequence  of  a  disagreement  be- 
tween Mr.  S.  and  some  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  the  county, 
patronage  was  withdrawn  from  him  and  the  paper  ceased  to  ex- 
ist. During  the  days  of  railroad  excitement  it  was  a  consistent 
and  earnest  advocate  of  the  road,  and  did  much  in  influencing 
the  people  in  its  favor.  The  following  we  copy  from  it  under 
date  of  October  10,  1851 : 

"Railroads. — Reader,  steam  is  up  !  The  people  of  the  county  of 
McDonough  want  and  will  have  a  railroad.  The  age  is  progress- 
ive, and  they  must  keep  up.  Our  neighbors  all  around  us  are 


101 

*  ridin'  on  a  rail,'  and  we  must  enjoy  the  same  means  of  locomo- 
tion. The  prairies  have  been  trackless,  but  they  shall  remain  so  no 
longer,  come  what  may  we  are  bound  to  have  a  railroad.  A  rail- 
road !  what  an  invention  !  what  a  blessing !  See  yon  l  iron  horse/ 
with  his  nostrils  breathing  fire,  his  long  and  shaggy  mane,  in  the 
shape  of  smoke,  streaming  far  behind,  while  in  his  might  and 
strength,  with  his  '  train'  in  the  rear,  becomes  careering  through 
yon  '  neck  of  timber,'  now  over  that  creek,  now  across  the  prairie, 
now  again  in  timber,  until  in  half  the  time  it  has  taken  us  to 
write  it,  here  he  is  in  Macomb,  brought  up  '  all  standing,' 
with  his  freight  of  bachelors  and  babies,  married  men  and  mules, 
ladies  and  live  stock,  dry  goods  and  Dutch  !  Oh,  what  a  rumpus, 
what  a  din  !  But  still  what  a  thing  a  railroad  is. 

"But  to  be  serious.  What  is  to  be  done  in  regard  to  the  pro- 
posed road  from  Quincy  to  Macomb,  and  from  here  to  Galesburg  ? 
The  time  for  stopping  to  consider  the  policy  of  such  an  enterprise 
has  passed  away;  and  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  such  a  means 
of  communication  are  held  to  be  too  self-evident  to  need  any  addi- 
tional argument  advanced  in  their  favor,  for  w^ho,  say  we,  cannot 
see  in  the  advanced  price  of  land,  in  the  advantage  of  a  ready 
market,  in  the  increased  facilities  of  communication,  in  the  spread 
of  general  intelligence,  in  the  cheapened  and  quickened  mode  of 
transportation,  a  sufficient  inducement  to  wish  such  an  undertak- 
ing success,  and  say  that  its  benefits  are  beyond  dispute  ?  Perhaps 
the  facts  of  these  truths  being  so  plain  and  undeniable,  has  led  to 
the  lethargy  and  inaction  of  our  people.  But  we  must  awake 
from  our  stupor ;  measures  must  be  taken  for  the  securing  of  stock, 
of  having  the  county  become  a  stockholder  to  a  liberal  amount; 
of  getting  individuals,  who  need  only  the  solicitation  of  some  ac- 
tive friend  of  the  road,  to  become  deeply  interested  in  its  comple- 
tion. Then, -friends  of  the  road,  be  up  and  doing;  farmers  of  Mc- 
Donongh,  your  interests  are  at  stake,  see  that  you  neglect  them 
not;  merchant  and  mechanic,  your  welfare,  too,  is  bound  up  in 
this  scheme — with  it  will  come  your  prosperity,  without  it  you 
must  lose  immensely  !  Then,  again  say  we,  let  us  all  at  work  ! 
Let  our  untiring  zeal  and  determined  efforts  show  that  we  desire 
what  we  need,  and  must  have  A  RAILROAD." 

Meetings  were  held  for  the  purpose  of  creating  an  interest  in 
the  proposed  railroad.  On  Wednesday  evening,  November  5th, 
1857,  Hon.  Calvin  A.  Warren,  of  Quincy,  and  General  Darnell, 
of  Hancock  county,  addressed  the  citizens  of  Macomb  upon  this 


102  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

important  subject.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with 
the  directors  of  the  road,  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting  the  next 
evening  it  was  resolved  to  ask  the  County  Court  to  appoint  an 
election  at  some  suitable  time,  at  which  the  people  could  vote  on 
the  question  cf  taking  stock  in  the  road  to  the  amount  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  At  another  meeting  held  December  1,  sub- 
stantially the  same  proposition  was  adopted,  and  on  the  second 
day  of  December,  Hon.  B.  R.  Hampton  appeared  before  the 
County  Court  and  presented  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  we  respectfully  request  the  Honorable  County  Court  in  and  for  the 
County  of  McDonough  and  State  of  Illinois,  to  submit  to  the  people  of  said  county  a 
proposition  to  vote  for  or  against  the  County  of  McDonough  taking  stock  to  the  amount 
of  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  the  proposed  railroad  from  Clayton  to  Galesburg,  and  that 
they  be  solicited  to  fix  upon  the  third  Monday  in  the  month  of  March,  A.  D.,  1852,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  said  vote. 

The  Court  thereupon  made  the  following  order: 

Therefore  it  is  ordered  by  the  Court  that  the  said  proposition  be  submitted  to  the 
citizens  of  McDonough  as  requested  in  said  resolution,  and  that  the  Clerk  of  this  Court 
order  an  election  to  be  held  at  the  several  election  precincts  in  said  county,  on  the 
third  Monday  in  the  month  of  March  next,  to  take  the  vote  of  the  county  for  and 
against  the  county  taking  stock  in  said  railroad  to  the  amount  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  ; 
and  that  the  Clerk  issue  the  notices  of  said  election  in  the  time  and  manner  required  by 
law ;  and  that  said  election  be  held  and  conducted  in  all  respects  as  other  general  and 
•pecial  elections  required  by  the  statutes  are  held  and  conducted.  It  is  further  ordered 
that  the  resolutions  and  proceedings  of  said  meetings  be  filed  by  the  Clerk. 

The  work  now  began  in  earnest.  Hon.  James  M.  Campbell,. 
Dr.  J.  B.  Kyle,  B.  R.  Hampton,  J.  P.  UpdegrafF,  L.  H.  Waters, 
and  others  favorable  to  the  road,  at  once  began  the  canvass.  Mr. 
Campbell  and  Dr.  Kyle  travelled  together,  making  speeches  in 
nearly  every  school  house  in  the  county.  Being  in  the  dead  of 
winter,  travel  was  almost  impossible,  and  had  to  be  done  upon 
horseback.  Still  they  were  undaunted,  and  bound  to  secure  the 
road,  if  possible.  The  opponents  of  the  road  were  not  idle  in  the 
meantime,  but  used  every  means  in  their  power  to  influence  the 
people  against  it. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Industry,  addressed  by  Dr.  Kyle  and  Mr. 
Campbell,  an  opportunity  was  given  in  which  to  hear  objections,, 
when  the  Hon.  Cyrus  Walker  boldly  took  a  stand  against  the 
road,  and,  not  content  with  that,  followed  the  gentleman  to  Pen- 
nington's  Point,  and  in  a  speech  of  an  hour's  length,  endeavored 
to  show  the  fallacies  of  the  arguments  advanced  in  favor,  and 
made  many  objections  against  the  proposed  improvement.  The 
recollection  of  the  gigantic  failures  of  the  State  in  its  system  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  103 

public  improvement  had  not  been  forgotten,  and  Mr.  AValker 
endeavored  to  show  what  might  be  the  consequence  should  our 
county  be  so  unwise  as  to  vote  the  proposed  aid.  In  answer  to 
this  plea,  Dr.  Kyle  stated  it  reminded  him  of  the  story  of  the  old 
woman  who  sent  her  little  girl  out  to  attend  the  fire  in  the  old- 
fashioned  brick  oven,  while  she  prepared  the  dough  for  baking. 
Xot  returning,  the  mother  became  alarmed  and  went  out  to  look 
for  her.  The  h're  was  burning  brightly  in  the  oven,  but  no  child 
was  to  be  seen.  Hearing  a  cry  of  distress  around  the  other  side 
of  the  house,  the  alarmed  mother  hastened  to  the  place,  supposing 
her  child  to  be  in  great  danger.  She  found  her  weeping  bitterly, 
and  hastily  inquired:  "My  daughter,  what  is  the  matter?  "  "0, 
mother,"  said  she,  "I  was  just  thinking  if  I  was  a  great  big 
woman,  just  like  you,  and  was  married,  and  had  a  little  girl,  just 
like  me,  and  while  I  was  in  the  house  making  bread,  I  should 
send  her  out  to  fix  the  fire,  and  she  should  come  out,  with  a  smile 
upon  her  face,  and  crawl  right  into  the  fire,  and  get  all  burned  up, 
what  a  terrible  thing  it  would  be  !  " 

At  another  meeting  held  in  Industry,  as  an  illustration  show- 
ing the  flimsiness  of  the  opposition  against  railroads  and  other 
improvements,  the  doctor  told  how  certain  Germans  and  others 
living  on  the  line  of  a  proposed  canal  opposed  it  on  the  ground 
that  they  had  a  large  amouut  of  money  invested  in  horses  and 
wagons,  and  if  the  canal  should  be  built,  there  would  be  no  em- 
ployment for  them.  The  canal  was  built,  and  they  found  they 
could  obtain  just  as  much  employment  as  before,  and  at  better 
prices.  Mr.  AValker,  in  reply,  spoke  of  the  doctor  taking  to  water, 
and  boasted  of  driving  him  into  the  Miami  canal,  and  stated  that 
he  would  acknowledge  that  canals  were  a  public  benefit,  but  not 
so  railroads.  He  was  then  asked  why  it  was  that  no  canals  were 
now  being  built  and  railroads  were  being  constructed  throughout 
the  whole  land.  This  was  not  answered. 

At  a  public  meeting  in  Macomb,  held  in  the  Court  House,  Mr. 
"\Valker  remarked  that  he  had  been  informed  by  a  couple  of 
prominent  merchants  in  the  town  that  one  train  of  cars  could 
carry  away  all  the  surplus  products  of  McDonongh  County,  raised 
in  one  year,  or  that  David  Rail  and  Harry  Perry,  two  well  known 
teamsters  in  the  town,  could  likewise  remove  all  its  surplus  pro- 
duce, carry  it  forty  miles  to  a  market  and  return  with  all  the  mer- 
chandise required  by  the  inhabitants.  Such  being  the  case,  said 
Mr.  AT.,  what  use  have  we  for  a  railroad  ;  of  what  benefit  will  it 


104  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

be  ?  He  farther  stated  if  the  audience  de&ired  to  know  the  names 
of  the  two  merchants  he  could  give  them;  they  were  Jonathan 
H.  Baker  and  John  W.  Westfall.  Mr.  Baker  was  a  very  strong 
opponent  of  the  road,  and  in  March  1852,  contributed  an  article 
to  the  McDonough  Independent  relating  a  pretended  conversation 
overheard  in  the  Post  Office  between  Farmer  Bangs  and  one  of 
the  committee  appointed  to  canvass  the  county  in  aid  of  the  pro- 
posed road,  in  which  the  farmer  has  the  best  of  the  argument,  of 
course. 

At  Blandinsville  one  of  the  speakers  compared  this  section  of 
country,  with  its  unsurpassed  soil,  its  fine  timber  and  abundance 
of  coal,  with  the  country  between  Chicago  and  Galena,  the  latter 
country  having  a  railroad,  the  former  none.  In  one  year  from  the 
time  the  railroad  was  completed  between  Chicago  and  Galena  the 
country  lying  along  its  route  increased  in  population  three  hun- 
dred per  cent.,  and  in  wealth  four  hundred  per  cent.,  and  asked  if 
it  could  be  accounted  for  in  any  other  way  than  on  account  of  her 
railroads.  Del.  Martin,  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  place,  suggested 
it  might  be  on  account  of  that  country  being  settled  by  the  Yan- 
kees. Ever  afterward  the  speaker  made  good  use  of  Mr.  Martin's 
reply  to  his  question.  When  in  a  neighborhood  composed  prin- 
cipally of  those  emigrating  from  the  South,  he  would  ask  them  if 
they  would  acknowledge  such  a  conclusion  was  correct.  "  Have 
these  Yankees,"  said  he,  "  more  enterprise  than  you?  Is  that  the 
way  you  account  for  this  prosperity  ?  No,  sir  ;  it  all  results  from 
their  having  the  advantages  afforded  by  a  railroad."  When  in  a 
Yankee  settlement,  he  would  ask  them  if  they  could  not  see  the 
force  of  Mr.  Martin's  reply.  "  These  Yankees,"  said  he,  "  under- 
stand fully  the  laws  of  trade,  and  naturally  go  where  they  will  be 
sure  of  a  good  market  for  their  products.  In  this  they  show  their 
shrewd,  common  sense.  Will  you  not  follow  and  profit  by  their 
example  ?" 

As  the  day  of  election  drew  near,  those  favoring  the  road  were 
fearful  of  the  result.  The  county  had  not  been  thoroughly  can- 
vassed, and  the  people  were  slow  to  vote  aid  for  any  purpose.  If 
the  question  could  be  brought  fairly  and  squarely  before  them  in 
order  that  they  might  see  the  advantages  to  be  derived  in  the 
building  of  the  proposed  road,  there  could  be  no"  doubt  of  secur- 
ing a  majority  of  votes  in  aid  of  its  construction.  It  was  therefore 
resolved  by  friends  to  secure,  if  possible,  a  postponement  of  the 
election.  A  petition  to  that  effect  was  presented  to  the  County 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  105 

Court,  and  that  body,  on  the  sixth  day  of  March,  1852,  revoked 
their  former  order  for  an  election  on  the  third  Monday  in  that 
month,  and  made  order  for  an  election  Saturday,  May  22,  for  or 
against  taking  $50,000  stock  in  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad. 

Renewed  efforts  were  now  made  by  the  friends  of  the  road, 
who  worked  day  and  night,  for  its  success.  As  a  result  there  were 
817  votes  cast  for,  and  644  against  issuing  the  bonds,  a  majority 
in  its  favor  of  173.  The  McDouough  Independent,  in  speaking 
of  this  vote,  says  :  "  It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  old 
McDonough  polled  200  more  votes  than  an  at  any  former  election. 
This  vote  should  stimulate  to  action  every  citizen  of  McDonough, 
for  it  is  a  sure  and  certain  index  of  the  growing  prosperity  of  our 
county.  "We  venture  the  prediction  that  in  ten  years  from  this 
date  we  will,  in  number,  almost  double  the  vote  just  polled. 
'  So,  look  out  for  the  cars  when  the  bell  rings.' '  This  prediction 
was  more  than  fulfilled  in  eight  years,  viz :  In  1860  the  vote  of 
the  county  was  4,638,  or  more  than  three  times  the  number  in 
1852.  This  shows  the  value  of  the  road. 

A  year  or  more  passed  away,  and  still  no  road.  Its  friends 
were  almost  in  despair,  and  its  enemies  jubilant — the  soothing 
phrase,  "  I  told  you  so,"  was  repeated  over  and  over  again  to  the 
friends  of  the  road  until  it  became  almost  monotonous.  The  dif- 
ficulty in  securing  eastern  capital  was  the  only  impediment  in  the 
way — capitalists  could  not  realize  it  would  be  for  them  a  judicious 
investment.  The  President  of  the  road,  Hon.  !N".  Bushnell,  made 
repeated  visits  east  to  secure  this  aid,  but  without  success.  The 
first  contract  made  by  the  road  with  this  county  was  to  the  effect 
that,  in  its  corporate  capacity,  it  should  subscribe  $50,000  to  its 
stock,  issuing  therefor  its  bonds,  having  thirty  years  to  run,  and 
bearing  six  per  cent  interest.  We  presume  arrangements  were 
made  with  other  counties  on  the  proposed  line  of  the  road  upon 
the  same  conditions.  Mr.  Bushuell  found  it  utterly  impossible  to 
obtain  money  to  complete  the  road  upon  such  terms.  The  ques- 
tion now  arose  as  to  what  should  be  done.  Must  the  road  be  al- 
lowed to  fail?  Its  friends  said  "Xo;"  its  enemies  said,  "  How 
can  you  help  it?"  Individual  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of 
852,500  had  been  secured  in  this  county  for  the  building  of  the 
road,  thus  showing  that  our  citizens  felt  a  great  interest  in  the 
success  of  the  enterprise.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  at  this 
time  there  was  not  to  exceed  8,000  inhabitants  in  the  county,  and 
they  were  of  the  poorer  class,  and  to  them  this  was  a  large  sum. 


106  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Arrangements  were  finally  made  with  eastern  capitalists  upon 
conditions  thought  favorable  by  Mr.  Bushnell,  and  upon  the 
twenty-ninth  day  of  June,  1853,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  road,  held  in  the  city  of  Quincy,  the  following 
resolutions  were  passed  and  certified  to  the  County  Court  of 
McDonough  County,  at  a  special  session  held  in  Macomb,  July  6, 
1853: 

Resolved,  That  in  locating  and  constructing  the  Railroad  from  Quincy  to  Galesburg, 
the  faith  of  the  Company  is  hereby  pledged  that  the  location  shall  be  so  made  as  to 
make  Macomb,  in  McDonough  County,  a  point  on  the  line. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  McDonough  County  will,  in  its  corporate  capacity,  in  lieu  of  the 
f  50,000  already  voted,  subscribe  $75,000  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Company,  payable 
in  bonds  bearing  eight  per  cent  interest,  the  Company  will  agree  to  pay  until  the  road  is 
put  in  operation  the  whole  distance  from  Quincy  to  Galesburg,  all  the  interest  which  may 
accrue  on  said  bonds,  over  and  above  the  $3000  annual  interest  which  would  accrue  on 
the  bonds  already  voted,  so  that  no  additional  tax  will  be  required  in  consequence  of  this 
increase  of  the  County  subscription.  The  interest  thus  advanced  and  paid  by  the  Com- 
pany to  be  hereafter  refunded  out  of  the  surplus  dividends  which  may  be  declared  on  the 
County  stock,  after  providing  for  the  interest  thereafter  accruing  on  the  bonds. 

The  Board  thereupon  passed  the  following  order  : 

WHEREAS,  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Illinois  entitled  "An  act  supple- 
mental to  'An  act  entitled  an  act,  to  provide  for  a  general  system  of  Railroad  Incorpora- 
tions,' approved  November  6,  1849."  The  several  counties  in  the  State  are  authorized 
in  the  manner  therein  provided  to  subscribe  to  the  capital  stock  of  any  railroad  compa- 
ny then  organized  or  thereafter  to  be  organized  under  any  law  of  this  State,  to  an 
amount  not  exceeding  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  and  whereas  the  Court  has  been 
requested  by  a  large  number  of  respectable  citizens  and  voters  of  this  county  to  take  the 
necessary  steps  to  procure  the  vote  of  this  county,  at  the  earliest  practicable  period  for 
or  against  the  subscription  by  the  said  county  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  to  the 
capital  stock  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the 
construction  of  the  railroad  of  said  company  from  the  city  of  Quincy  on  the  Mississippi 
river,  to  the  town  of  Galesburg,  in  Knox  county. 

AND  WHEBEAS,  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Court,  and  ?B  they  believe  a  large  majority  of 
the  citizens  and  voters  of  the  county,  that  the  early  completion  of  said  railroad  is  of 
paramount  importance  for  the  future  growth,  improvement,  and  prosperity  of  the  county  ; 
and  that  it  is  their  interest  and  duty,  to  aid  by  all  reasonable  means  and  to  the  extent  of 
their  ability,  in  raising  the  means  necessary  to  secure  the  success  of  this  important  en- 
terprise. 

It  is  therefore  by  the  Court  ordered,  unanimously,  that  Isaac  Grantham,  Esq.,  the  clerk 
of  this  Court,  be  directed  to  give  such  notice  as  shall  be  lawful  of  an  election,  to  be  held 
in  the  usual  place  of  voting  in  the  several  precincts  of  said  county  on  Saturday  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  August,  A.  D.  1853,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  wishes  of  citizens, 
voters  of  said  county,  in  reference  to  the  subscription  of  said  county  of  seventy-five 
thousand  dollars,  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  Company ;  for  the 
purpose  of  aiding  the  construction  of  said  railroad  from  Quincy  to  Galesburg  ;  said  sub- 
scription to  be  paid  in  the  bonds  of  said  county  at  their  par  value  ;  and  payable  twenty 
years  after  their  respective  dates  to  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  Company,  or  bearer, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  eight  per  cent  per  annum  ;  payable  semi-annually,  according 
to  interest  coupons  to  be  thereto  annexed  ;  both  principal  and  interest  being  payable  in 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  107 

the  city  of  New  York  ;  and  said  bonds  to  be  issued  to  the  said  railroad  company  from 
time  to  time  in  discharge  of  the  regular  assessments  made  on  stock  subscription.  a& 
they  may  fall  due.  Said  election  to  conform  to  the  provisions  of  the  act  mentioned  in 
the  foregoing  preamble  :  and  to  be  held  and  conducted  in  other  respects,  and  the  votes 
counted  and  returns  thereof  made,  by  the  judges  and  clerks  of  said  election  as  in  elec- 
tions for  State  and  County  officers. 

And  it  is  also  further  unanimously  ordered,  that  in  case  the  citizens  and  voters  of  the 
county  of  said  election,  shall  duly  authorize  a  subscription  by  the  county  of  the  said 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  to  the  capital  stock  of  said  railroad  company,  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid,  that  the  former  vote  of  the  county  to  subscribe  fifty  thousand  dollars  to 
the  stock  of  said  company,  shall  thereby  be  revoked,  cancelled,  and  annulled. 

The  friends  of  the  road  went  immediately  to  work,  the  result 
being,  when  the  vote  was  counted  upon  the  evening  of  August 
20,  there  were  eleven  hundred  and  forty-five  votes  for  and  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-five  against  the  stock.  The  city  of  Quincy,  but  a 
few  days  before,  by  a  vote  of  eleven  hundred  and  thirty-two  to 
three,  voted  an  additional  8100,000,  making  a  total  amount  for 
that  city  of  §200,000. 

In  the  fall  of  1855  theiron  horse  made  its  first  appearance  in  the 
county,  and  by  January,  1856,  the  road  was  completed  to  Gales- 
burg,  where  connections  were  made  with  the  Central  Military 
Tract  Railroad  to  Chicago.  From  this  date  McDonough  county 
has  continued  to  make  rapid  progress,  and  we  are  fully  convinced 
that  no  one  regrets  the  aid  rendered,  though  by  the  foreclosure  of 
the  mortgage  on  the  road  the  entire  amount  of  stock  taken  by  the 
county,  and  by  individual  citizens,  was  lost.  Property  advanced 
rapidly  in  price,  emigration  poured  in,  new  farms  were  opened, 
and  a  market  was  obtained  for  all  surplus  produce  raised.  Else- 
where we  give  a  resume  of  the  business  of  the  road  since  1871  up 
to  January  1,  1876,  the  Chicago  tire  destroying  the  books  of  the 
company  previous  to  that  date. 


108  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

HOME    LIFE    AND    AMUSEMENTS. 

The  manners  and  customs  of  our  forefathers  are  always 
fraught  with  peculiar  interest,  and  read  of  with  pleasure  and  profit 
by  all.  If  we  compare  the  places  of  abode  of  our  fathers  with 
those  of  to-day,  and  the  customs  of  those  days  with  our  own,  we 
are  apt  to  regard  those  of  the  past  in  an  unfavorable  light.  But 
by  outward  appearance  alone,  things  cannot  safely  be  judged. 
Many  things  appear  outwardly  beautiful  which  inwardly  are  the 
reverse — "  without  are  fair,  within  full  of  dead  men's  bones." 

We  have  not  yet  given  a  description  of  the  dwellings  of  our 
fathers,  so  here  goes.  Imagine  a  house  about  sixteen  feet  square, 
seven  and  a  half  feet  high,  built  up  with  large  round  or  square  logs, 
and  covered  with  clapboards,  held  on  by  huge  weight  poles,  the 
cracks  in  the  walls  filled  with  mud,  which  would  occasionally  fall 
out,  when  the  wind  would  whistle  merrily  through  the  door  (for 
there  was  but  one)  made  of  rough  boards,  with  a  wooden  latch, 
the  string  of  which  always  hung  out,  a  sign  of  welcome  to  the 
weary  traveler  and  the  kind  neighbor,  and  you  have  the  exterior, 
except  that  upon  one  side  there  was  a  small  window,  large  enough 
for  a  sash  containing  six  eight  by  ten  lights,  sometimes 
with  glass  in  them,  but  often  covered  with  greased  paper.  In  the 
interior  you  will  find  upon  one  side  the  huge  fire  place,  large 
enough  to  contain  a  back  log  as  heavy  as  any  man  would  care  to 
carry,  and  holding  enough  wood  to  supply  an  ordinary  stove  a 
week  ;  on  either  side  are  hung  pots  and  kettles,  and  over  all  a 
mantle,  on  which  stands  the  tallow-dip,  to  "  give  light  to  all  who 
are  in  the  house,"  but  which  will  hardly  compare  with  the  gas 
jets  of  this  day;  the  "  little  brown  jug,"  which  was  not  so  little, 
either,  and  generally  well  filled  with  a  liquid  which  teetotalers 
decline ;  in  one  corner  the  larger  bed  for  the  oldfolks,  under 


109 

which  the  trundle  bed  for  the  younger  members  of  the  family;  in 
another  corner  stands  the  old-fashioned  large  spinning  wheel,, 
with  a  smaller  one  by  its  side;  in  another  the  pine  table,  on 
which  three  times  a  day  th'e  food  of  the  family  was  placed,  and 
which  was  rapidly  taken  therefrom  by  the  individual  members 
thereof;  in  still  another  may  be  seen  the  cumbersome  loom;  over 
the  door  hangs  the  ever-trustful  rifle  and  powder  horn,  ready  for 
instant  use ;  while  around  the  room  are  scattered  a  few  splint-bot- 
tomed chairs  and  three-legged  stools;  a  rude  cupboard  holding 
the  glass  and  queensware  completes  the  furniture — everything  of 
the  simplest  and  rudest  manufacture.  And  yet  these  homes,, 
simple  and  rude  as  they  were,  were  inhabited  by  a  kind  and  true- 
hearted  people.  They  were  strangers  to  mock  modesty,  and  the 
traveler  seeking  lodging  for  the  night,  or  desirous  of  spending  a 
few  days  in  the  community,  if  willing  to  accept  the  offerings  of 
honest  hearts,  always  found  welcome.  The  people  were  industri- 
ous from  dire  necessity.  All  who  were  old  enough  were  usefully 
employed.  Children  were  inured  to  toil  and  labor — while  the  lot 
of  the  women  was  hard  indeed.  Upon  them  devolved  the  prep- 
aration of  the  daily  food,  and  from  a  very  scant  larder  ;  they  were 
required  to  weave  the  linen  and  woolsey,  prepare  the  flax,  cotton 
and  wool  with  their  own  hands,  making  almost  the  entire  ward- 
robe of  the  family — some  really  doing  it  all.  It  was  a  life  pecu- 
liarly trying  and  wearying  to  them,  yet  borne  with  patience  and 
thankfulness. 

The  family  bible  was  another  article  found  in  almost  every 
home,  and  the  minister  of  the  gospel  appearing,  the  two  served  to- 
turn  the  thoughts  of  the  people  in  the  right  direction.  To  these 
influences  we  ascribe  in  a  great  measure  the  prosperity  of  the 
county,  and  the  better  moral  sentiment  that  has  usually  prevailed. 
Without  such  influence  men  would  be  barbarians;  closely  allied 
to  this  influence  is  a  desire  for  knowledge  that  must  be  appeased. 
We  therefore  find  the  schoolteacher  following  closely  in  the  wake 
of  the  minister,  and  schools  were  established  in  every  neighborhood 
where  a  sufficient  number  of  children  could  be  brought  together  to 
warrant  the  services  of  an  instructor. 

The  cultivation  of  the  flax  was  an  important  item  with  the 
early  settlers;  cotton  was  raised  to  some  extent,  while  sheep 
raising  was  never  neglected.  The  entire  clothing  of  many  fami- 
lies was  manufactured  from  these  staple  sources  into  cloth  by  the 
prudent  and  tireless  housewife. 


110  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  flax  was  often  pulled  by  the  women;  and,  after  the  seed 
had  been  thrashed  out,  was  spread  on  the  grass  to  rot;  and,  when 
rotted  sufficiently,  was  bound  in  bundles  and  dressed ;  that  is,  the 
flax  and  tow  were  separated.  Scarcely  any  crop,  while  growing, 
was  more  beautiful  than  the  flax.  From  one-halt  to  two  bushels 
of  seed  was  sown  on  an  acre,  and  the  crop  amounted  to  about  two 
hundred  pounds.  Cotton  was  less  extensively  raised,  especially 
after  the  big  snow  of  1830,  though  many  tamilies  raised  enough 
for  their  own  use. 

Great  trouble  was  experienced  for  many  years  in  the  raising  of 
sheep,  on  account  of  the  great  number  of  wolves  that  infested  the 
country.  But,  notwithstanding  this,  enough  wool  was  secured 
for  home  use.  One  article  largely  manufactured,  was  called 
" linsey-woolsey."  It  was  made  of  equal  parts  of  cotton  and 
wool,  and  colored  according  to  the  taste  of  the  manufacturer. 
The  exquisite  shades  and  delicate  colors  shown  in  the  dress  goods 
of  to-day  were  not  observed  in  those  times,  our  mothers  being 
content  with  good,  solid  colors. 

There  were  few  houses  where  the  large  and  small  spinning 
wheel  and  the  cumbersome  loom  were  not  found,  together  taking 
up  more  room  than  all  the  rest  of  the  furniture.  Having  all 
these  implements  and  manufacturing  so  much  of  their  own 
clothing,  our  fathers  and  mothers  were  almost  independent  of  the 
rest  of  the  world.  To-day  all  this  is  changed.  The  buzz  of  the 
little  spinning  wheel,  the  whirr  ot  the  larger  ones,  and  the  mo- 
notonous click  of  the  loom  are  heard  no  more.  They  are  ban- 
ished to  the  attic  or  given  over  to  destruction. 

"While  our  fathers  and  mothers  toiled  hard,  they  were  not 
averse  to  a  little  relaxation,  and  had  their  seasons  for  fun  and  en- 
joyment. If  they  did  not  receive  the  oft-repeated  visits  of  the 
theatrical  or  minstrel  troupe,  the  wonderful  magician,  or  the  man 
with  the  "  intelligent  ants,"  they  yet  contrived  to  do  something 
to  break  the  monotony  of  their  daily  life  and  furnish  them  with 
a  good  hearty  laugh. 

Among  the  more  general  forms  ol  amusements  was  the  "quilt- 
ing bee,"  the  corn-husking,  or  "  corn-shucking,"  as  generally 
called  in  this  country,  and  the  u  apple-paring."  Our  young  read- 
ers will  doubtless  be  interested  in  a  description  of  these  forms  of 
amusements,  where  labor  was  made  to  afford  fun  and  enjoyment 
to  all  participating.  "  Quilting-bee,"  as  its  name  indicates,  was 
where  the  industrious  qualities  of  that  busy  little  insect  that 


HISTORY   OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY.  Ill 

"  improves  each  shining  hour  "  was  exemplified  in  manufacturing 
quilts  for  the  household.  In  the  afternoon  the  ladies  for  miles 
around  gathered  at  the  appointed  place,  and  while  their  tongues 
would  not  cease  to  play,  their  hands  were  busily  employed  in 
making  the  quilt,  and  a  desire  was  always  manifested  to  get  it  out 
as  quickly  as  possible,  for  then  the  fun  would  begin.  In  the  eve- 
ning the  gentlemen  came,  and  the  hours  would  then  pass  swiftly 
by  in  playing  some  boisterous  yet  innocent  game,  or  in  the  dance. 
"  Corn-husking  "  was  where  both  sexes  united  in  the  husking. 
They  usually  assembled  in  a  large  barn  which  was  prepared  for 
the  occasion,  and  when  each  gentleman  had  selected  a  lady  part- 
ner the  husking  began.  ^Vhen  a  lady  found  a  red  ear  she  was 
entitled  to  a  kiss  from  every  gentleman  present ;  if  a  gentleman 
found  one  he  was  allowed  to  kiss  every  lady  present.  This  fea- 
ture of  the  general  programme  was  particularly  enjoyable,  and 
a  source  of  unlimited  fun  and  frolic.  After  the  corn  was  all 
husked  the  floor  was  cleared,  the  old  violin  brought  out,  tuned  up, 
and  the  merry  dance  begun,  usually  lasting  until  "  broad  day 
light  in  the  morning." 

"Apple-paring  "  often  called  the  young  folks  together  when 
the  apples  were  pared  tor  the  winter's  sauce.  The  same  kind  of 
sport  was  enjoyed  after  the  supply  was  obtained,  as  in  the  case  of 
husking  and  quilting  bees. 

"  The  little  brown  jug"  spoken  of  as  having  a  place  upon  the 
mantle,  was  often  brought  into  requisition,  it  affording  a  means 
of  enjoyment  that  nothing  else  could  supply.  No  caller  was 
permitted  to  leave  the  house  without  an  invitation  to  partake  of  its 
contents ;  not  to  so  invite  was  a  breach  of  hospitality  not  to  be 
thought  of  for  a  moment.  It  was  brought  out  upon  all  conceiv- 
able occasions,  and  freely  dispensed  to  old  and  young  alike,  with 
no  thought  of  danger.  It  was  a  thing  of  prime  importance  in  all 
the  assemblages  of  men — at  log  rollings,  huskings,  house  raisings, 
<fcc.  It  was  essential  at  all  births,  and  even  at  funerals.  It  has 
often  seemed  a  great  wonder  to  us  that  the  entire  country  was  not 
devoted  to  drunkenness,  for  in  the  early  settlement  of  all  its  parts, 
the  same  universal  custom  prevailed.  Xo  one  then  seemed  to 
think  there  could  be  danger ;  now  and  then  a  drunkard  was  made, 
but  he  was  more  pitied  for  his  misfortune  than  for  his  want  of 
manhood  or  self-control ;  it  was  not  the  use  but  only  the  abuse 
of  it  that  seemed  wrong.  It  was  thought  impossible  to  work 


112  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

without  it,  and  it  was  therefore  always  present,  and  the  drunken 
broils  occasioned  by  its  use  were  soon  forgotten. 

Hunting  was  a  favorite  pastime  of  the  men.  Game  was  killed 
more,  however,  for  amusement  than  to  supply  the  wants  and 
necessities  of  their  families. 

House-raisings  furnished  another  occasion  for  assemblage  and 
enjoyment.  Buildings  were  then  made  of  such  massive  timbers 
that  it  required  a  large  force  of  men  to  erect  them,  which  was 
was  done  solely  by  muscular  power,  all  the  appliances  of  modern 
inventions  for  this  purpose  being  entirely  ignored  if  not  unknown. 
On  these  occasions  liquor  was  always  free  to  all  present.  These 
raisings  were  usually  important  events  in  every  neighborhood, 
and  people  from  far  and  near  came  to  witness  and  enjoy  them. 
Log-rolling  was  another  mode  of  useful  recreation.  When  a  man 
had  felled  the  timber  on  a  considerable  space  of  ground,  covered 
as  it  was  with  a  large  growth,  it  was  impossible  for  him,  without 
aid,  te>  get  the  logs  together  so  as  to  burn  them.  He  therefore 
made  a  log  rolling  and  invited  all  his  neighbors,  who  came,  and 
with  good  will  and  strong  muscles,  brought  the  logs  together,  the 
work  ending  with  a  good  supper  and  a  social  good  time. 

Election  days  were  observed  as  holidays.  The  men  came  to 
town,  voted,  drank  whiskey,  smoked,  swore,  wrestled  and  fought, 
all  for  a  little  fun. 

Look  as  we  may  upon  the  questionable  amusements  of  the 
early  times,  we  know  that  kind  hearts,  neighborly  acts  and 
universal  good  will  for  all  mankind  was  a  genuine  passion,  and 
therefore  we  forbear  all  criticisms. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY  113 


CHAPTER  XII. 

VARIOUS     MATTERS. 

The  crime  of  murder  has  been  rare  in  this  county ;  in  fact,  we 
believe  that  in  proportion  to  its  population  there  has  been  less 
crime  in  McDonough  than  in  any  other  county  in  the  State.  Oc- 
casionally we  are  shocked  with  the  announcement  of  a  terrible 
murder  committed  in  our  midst.  This  was  true  on  the  morning 
of  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  May,  1854.  On  the  evening  before 
at  about  nine  o'clock,  the  alarm  was  given  that  James  Dye,  a 
wealthy  farmer  living  in  the  west  part  of  the  county  on  a  farm 
known  as  the  "Prentiss  farm,"  was  murdered.  Neighbors  of  the 
deceased  at  once  gathered,  and  an  investigation  was  made,  when 
it  was  discovered  that  Mr.  Dye  had  been  killed  while  lying  in 
bed.  An  inquest  was  held  upon  the  body  by  S.  H.  McCandless, 
the  coroner  of  the  county.  After  examining  the  body  and  care- 
fully investigating  the  matter,  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  that  the 
deceased  came  to  his  death  by  violent  and  unlawful  means ;  by 
the  hands  of  his  own  wife  Rebecca,  assisted  by  two  accessories, 
David  B.  Burress  and  S.  P.  Ray,  all  of  whom  were  immediately 
arrested  and  committed  to  the  county  jail  to  await  a  hearing  be- 
fore the  Circuit  Court. 

On  the  tenth  day  of  October  following  the  grand  jury  of  the 
county  found  a  true  bill  of  indictment  against  the  above  parties. 
The  case  being  called  in  the  Circuit  Court,  a  continuance  was 
granted  until  the  next  term  of  the  court.  At  this  term  a  change 
of  venue  was  granted  to  David  P.  Burress,  to  AVarren  County,  and 
Mrs.  Dye,  to  Fulton  county.  A  nolle  prosequi  was  entered  in 
the  case  of  Ray  and  he  was  discharged  from  custody. 

Mrs.  Dye  was  duly  tried  at  the  April  term  of  the  Circuit  Court 
of  Fulton  county,  the  trial  lasting  nine  days.  It  was  probably  the 
H— 8 


114  HISTORY  OP  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

most  exciting  one  that  ever  took  place  in  that  county.  The 
court  room  was  crowded  at  every  session,  many  ladies  being  con- 
stantly in  attendance.  The  counsel  for  the  people  were  Messrs. 
Goudy,  of  Fulton,  Wheat,  of  Adams,  and  Schofield  &  Mack,  of 
Hancock.  For  the  defense,  Mrs.  Dye  secured  the  services  of 
Messrs.  Manning,  of  Peoria,  Kellogg  &  Ross,  of  Fulton,  and  Cy- 
rus Walker,  of  McDonough.  Probably  a  better  array  of  coun- 
sel could  not  have  been  secured  in  the  entire  State  of  Illinois. 
They  were  all  able  men. 

William  C.  Goudy  opened  the  case  for  the  people.  He  told  the 
jury  that  they  "were  called  upon  to  discharge  the  most  solemn 
duty  that  ever  devolved  upon  man,  in  the  discharge  of  which  in- 
volved the  life  or  death  of  a  human  being.  The  evidence  they 
had  to  offer  was  purely  circumstantial.  £To  living  being  was  known 
who  saw  the  inhuman  crime  committed.  But  circumstantial  evi- 
dence, in  many  cases,  was  better  than  positive  testimony — the 
guilty  mind  always  acts  inconsistent  with  its  innocence,  and  this 
marks  out  its  own  accusation.  This  is  one  of  God's  marks  upon 
crime.  To  hunt  out,  follow  up,  and  arrest  a  criminal  are  its  daily 
uses.  By  its  aid  the  police  of  our  cities  are  constantly  bringing 
to  light  and  arresting  the  perpetrators  of  evil  deeds,  who  would 
otherwise  continue  their  crimes  unmolested  The  prisoner  before 
you  is  indicted  for  the  murder  of  her  own  husband.  The  deceased 
came  to  his  death  by  a  blow  upon  the  head  from  an  axe  or  ham- 
mer, or  from  a  slung-shot  in  the  breast,  or  from  both.  Three 
persons  are  named  in  the  bill  of  indictment,  but  you  have  only  to 
inquire  as  to  the  guilt  of  the  prisoner  before  you.  We  expect  to 
show  acts  and  words  between  Burress  and  the  prisoner  that  will 
show  their  connection  with  the  murder,  and  bring  to  your  mind 
uacontrovertable  evidence  of  the  prisoner's  guilt.  Should  we  do 
so,  you  have  but  one  duty  to  perform,  and  that  we  shall  expect  at 
your  hands." 

Cyrus  Walker,  for  the  defense,  opened  the  ca?e,  and  spoke  sub- 
stantially as  follows  :  u  The  arrangement  has  been  made  by  the 
counsel  for  the  defense  that  I  should  make  the  opening  statement.  I 
agree  with  the  gentlemen  that  this  is  an  important  case.  You, 
gentlemen,  are  to  decide  a  momentous  question.  The  Emperor  of 
the  Russias  possesses  no  more  power  over  the  life  of  his  subjects 
than  you  have  over  the  life  of  that  lady.  Her  life  is  in  your  hands. 
You  can  hang  her  up  between  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  or  you 
can  send  her  home  to  her  children,  from  whom  she  has  been  torn 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  115 

by  the  iron  rule  of  the  law.  You  must  expect  the  case  will  be 
somewhat  tedious  ;  the  issues  involved  are  such  it  cannot  be  other- 
wise. That  woman  before  you,  whose  lite  you  hold  in  your  hands, 
is  accused  of  an  unnatural  crime.  The  difference  between  murder 
and  manslaughter  has  been  fully  and  accurately  stated  to  you  by  my 
friend,  and  it  is  in  your  province  to  find  her  guilty  of  either,  if 
the  evidence  should  thus  convince  you.  Certainty,  beyond 
a  reasonable  doubt,  is  required  in  all  criminal  cases — the  law 
rejects  preponderance.  James  Dye,  the  deceased,  was  a  man  be- 
tween seventy  and  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was  married  twice. 
By  his  first  wife  he  had  twelve  children.  Six  years  ago  he  was 
married  to  the  accused,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  one  at 
the  breast  at  the  time  of  his  murder.  On  Saturday,  the  twenty- 
seventh  ot  May  last,  he  was  found  dead  in  his  bed,  shot  through 
the  breast,  and  his  skull  fractured  just  above  the  left  eye.  As  is 
very  natural  in  such  a  case,  there  was  much  anxiety  to  find  out  the 
perpetrators  of  the  deed.  Suspicion  took  the  smallest  circumstance 
and  magnified  it;  and  the  natural  disposition  in  every  community 
to  find  out  the  cause — that  restless,  eager  energy  that  seizes  every 
point — directed  attention  toward  the  accused.  I  warn  you,  gentle- 
men, against  such  restless  eagerness,  against  that  suspicion  that 
blights  without  investigation,  and  condemns  without  proof.  There 
is  no  contest  here,  but  as  to  who  murdered  Dye.  James  Dye  was 
a  large  farmer,  a  hard  working  man.  I  am  bound  to  do  justice  to 
the  living.  I  must  speak  of  the  faults  of  the  dead.  The  deceased 
was  an  honest,  industrious  man,  but  he  sadly  neglected  the  educa- 
tion of  his  children — their  moral  and  intellectual  training  was  un- 
provided for  ;  while  his  great  aim  was  to  accumulate  property.  He 
had  frequent  quarrels  with  his  sons,  fights  and  law  suits.  These  en- 
gendered a  bitter  feeling  between  them,  which  often  led  to  vio- 
lence. After  the  old  man's  death,  the  boys  were  active  to  show  the 
prisoner's  guilt — they  charged  her  with  the  murder  and  hinted 
of  circumstances  to  cast  suspicion  upon  her.  The  old  man  died 
intestate.  There  was  a  large  dower  coming  to  the  prisoner.  They 
had  various  motives  to  induce  them  to  be  forward  in  settling  opin- 
ion against  the  accused.  Knowing  their  previous  quarrels,  they 
sought  to  divert  suspicion  from  themselves,  and  have  sought  every 
means  to  throw  the  guilt  upon  the  prisoner.  The  prosecution  has 
stated  the  rules  of  evidence.  I  wish  only  to  add,  as  the  enormity 
of  the  crime  increases,  so  the  character  of  the  proof  should  be 
more  certain.  There  never  was  a  greater  error  committed  than 


116  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

that  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Paley,  when  he  said  that  circumstantial 
evidence  could  not  lie.  It  was  a  fine  theory,  and  having  received 
the  sanction  of  so  great  a  mind,  has  been  handed  down  as  incon- 
trovertible. One  ounce  of  sober  sense  upon  such  a  point  is  better 
than  the  speculative  wisdom  of  the  world.  Remember,  you  are 
not  to  enquire  who  murdered  James  Dye,  nor,  if  she  didn't,  wTho 
did?  You  are  only  to  decide  as  to  the  prisoners  guilt." 

Some  eighty  or  ninety  witnesses  had  been  summoned  and  were 
duly  examined.  As  outlined  in  the  remarks  of  the  attorneys, 
the  prosecution  endeavored  to  prove  criminal  intercourse,  or  at 
least  criminal  intentions,  on  the  part  of  Burress  and  the  accused ; 
and  that  they  might  more  surely  and  securely  carry  out  their  evil 
designs,  it  was  necessary  to  get  the  old  man  out  of  the  way.  That 
they  made  a  strong  case  against  the  accused  cannot  be  denied. 
The  defense,  on  the  other  hand,  brought  forward  witnesses  to 
prove  the  good  character  of  their  client,  showing  how  she  many 
times  acted  as  peace-maker  between  the  old  man  and  his  sons ; 
how  the  old  man  regarded  her  as  worthy  of  all  confidence,  giving 
her  all  the  money  she  wished  for,  and  making  her  his  "  banker," 
as  he  said ;  how  that,  in  nature,  he  could  live  but  a  little  while,, 
and  that  his  intention  was  to  leave  all  his  property  to  the  accused 
and  her  children;  that  the  supposed  facts,  as  set  forth  by  the 
prosecution,  was  entirely  inconsistent  with  the  state  of  affairs  as 
they  existed.  The  case  was  ably  argued  on  both  sides.  After 
being  out  fifteen  hours  the  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  of  guilty,  and 
sentenced  the  accused  to  five  years  in  the  penitentiary.  It  is  said 
that  on  the  first  ballot  the  jury  stood  four  for  acquittal  and 
eight  for  conviction,  and  the  verdict,  as  given,  was  a  compromise. 

Mrs.  Dye  was  in  due  time  removed  to  the  State's  prison,  but  on 
account  of  uniform  good  conduct,  and  on  the  recommendation  of 
the  Warden,  she  was  pardoned  long  before  the  expiration  of  her 
term.  As  to  her  guilt  or  innocence,  we  are  not  prepared  to  judge  ; 
suffice  it  to  say,  that,  on  receiving  her  pardon,  she  returned  to 
Macomb,  where  she  resided  for  many  years,  enjoying,  we  believe, 
the  respect  of  all  who  knew  her.  She  died  in  the  year  1874. 

The  success  attending  the  vote  on  the  proposition  of  taking 
stock  in  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad,  and  the  certainty  of  its 
early  completion,  made  the  people  enthusiastic  on  the  subject  of 
railroads,  and  the  belief  became  general,  that,  with  their  aid,  the 
county  would  become  very  wealthy  and  populous  within  a  few 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  117 

years.  Other  railroads  had  been  projected,  and  their  companies 
were  desirous  of  running  their  lines  so  as  to  obtain  the  most  money 
— a  straight  line  being  no  object  if  a  larger  amount  could  be  ob- 
tained by  deviations.  On  the  seventh  day  of  December,  1855,  a 
petition  was  presented  to  the  County  Court,  praying  that  it  be 
submitted  to  a  vote  for  or  against  taking  subscription  to  the  cap- 
ital stock  of  the  AVabash  and  Mississippi  Railroad  to  the  amount 
of  175,000.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  a 
vote  was  ordered  for  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  January,  1856.  The 
vote  was  taken,  resulting  in  the  defeat  of  the  proposition.  This 
did  not  dishearten  the  friends  of  the  project,  and  on  the  seventh 
day  of  June  another  petition  was  presented,  signed  by  a  large 
number  of  voters,  for  the  purpose  of  having  submitted  the  prop- 
osition of  voting  aid  to  the  amount  of  $100,000  to  the  Wabash 
<fc  Mississippi  and  the  Rock  Island  and  Alton  Railroads,  $50,000  to 
each.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  (Silas  J.  Grigsby 
dissenting),  and  the  election  was  ordered  to  be  held  on  the 
fourth  day  of  August.  The  conditions  of  the  proposition  to  be 
voted  on  were  that  Macomb  should  be  a  point  in  both  of  the 
above  named  roads,  and  that  no  bonds  should  be  issued  until  the 
roads  were  completed  to  Macomb. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  June,  at  a  special  session  of  the 
County  Court,  Charles  R.  Hume,  of  Blandinsville,  presented  a 
petition,  signed  by  a  large  number  of  citizens,  praying  that  the 
Court  would  amend  or  change  its  former  order,  made  on  the  sev- 
enth day  of  the  present  month,  so  as  to  make  the  towns  of  Blan- 
dinsville and  Bushnell  points  in  the  Wabash  and  Mississippi  Rail- 
roads, instead  ot  Macomb.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
refused.  This  led  to  the  defeat  of  the  proposed  measures. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  September  still  another  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Court,  and  an  order  made  for  voting  on  the  proposi- 
tion of  taking  stock  to  the  amount  of  $50,000  to  the  Rock  Island 
and  Alton  Railroad  on  the  same  conditions  as  previously  stated, 
viz :  that  Macomb  should  be  made  a  point.  The  election  was 
held  on  the  fourth  day  of  Xovember,  and  was  carried  by  a  re- 
spectable majority. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  County  Court  on  the  sixth  day  of  Septem- 
ber, this  same  year,  J.  M.  Clark  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
other  legal  voters  of  the  county  presented  a  petition  praying  that 
an  order  be  made  for  an  election  to  be  held  on  the  fourth  day  of 
Xovember,  that  a  vote  might  be  taken  upon  the  proposition  of 


US  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

adopting  the  township  organization  law.  The  prayer  of  the  peti- 
tioners was  granted,  the  election  held,  resulting  in  a  majority  in 
favor  of  the  adoption  of  the  law. 

At  the  December  term  of  the  Court  an  order  was  made  appoint- 
ing commissioners  to  divide  the  county  into  towns,  or  townships, 
and  Levi  H.  Bradbury,  of  Prairie  City,  Harrison  Huugate,  of 
Blandinsville,  and  William  R.  Downen,  of  Industry,  were  ap- 
pointed. The  commissioners  reported,  dividing  the  county  as  it 
at  present  stands,  save  Prairie  City  and  Bushnell  townships  were 
then  one  and  called  by  the  former  name. 

The  old  jail  becoming  too  small,  and  inconvenient  in  many  par- 
ticulars, the  County  Court  decided  upon  building  a  new  one. 
The  contract  wras  immediately  let,  Hector  McLean  taking  the 
stone  work,  and  W.  O.  Thomas  &  Co.  the  brick  and  wood  work, 
and  Ingram  &  Painter  the  painting.  The  total  cost  of  the  build- 
'ing  was  about  $3,500.  We  can  not  say  much  for  it,  it  being  a 
continual  expense  to  the  county  every  year.  Prisoners  broke  out 
without  trouble,  necessitating*  an  almost  constant  watch.  As- 
a  general  thing  we  can  commend  the  wisdom  of  our  County 
Board  of  Supervisors,  they  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  county 
in  a  very  prudent  and  economical  manner,  but  in  this  respect 
their  economy  is  not  to  be  commended.  Although  we  have 
not  the  figures  at  hand,  we  verily  believe  more  money  has- 
been  spent  for  repairs,  guarding  the  jail,  and  re-capturing  prison- 
ers, than  would  have  built  as  fine  a  building  as  we  have  in  the 
Military  Tract. 

The  old  log-jail,  in  due  time,  by  order  of  the  Court,  was  sold  by 
the  Sheriff,  the  city  of  Macomb  becoming  the  purchaser,  for  the 
sum  of  $275.  It  has  been  in  use  by  the  city  ever  since  as  a  city 
prison,  and  is  known  as  the  old  calaboose. 

On  the  eleventh  day  of  April  the  County  Court  assembled  for 
legislative  purposes,  for  the  last  time.  Present,  Hon.  Thompson 
Chandler,  presiding  judge ;  Samuel  Calvin  and  Silas  J.  Grigsby, 
Associates.  The  last  order  made  by  them  was  for  ironing  the  new 
jail,  after  which  they  adjourned  sine  die,  being  succeeded  by  the 
Board  of  Supervisors. 

With  reference  to  Burress,  arrested  for  the  murder  of  James 
Dye,  his  trial  was  never  held.  On  the  night  of  August  11,  1855, 
he  escaped  from  the  county  jail,  at  Macomb,  but  returned,  after 
an  absence  of  about  ten  days,  and  gave  himself  up  to  the  authori- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  119 

ties.  On  the  evening  of  the  tenth  of  November,  following,  he 
again  escaped.  A  reward  of  one  hundred  dollars  was  offered  for 
his  capture.  He  was  traced  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  a  party 
went  in  pursuit  of  him,  but  when  they  reached  the  place  where  he 
was  seen,  he  was  gone,  since  which  time  he  has  never  been  heard 
from.  AYhether  guilty  of  the  crime  charged  against  him  will 
probably  never  be  known. 


120  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

DIVISION   OF    THE    COUNTY. 

The  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  dividing  the  county 
into  townships  reported  in  due  time  that  they  had  performed  that 
duty.  By  their  report  the  county  was  divided  into  sixteen  town- 
ship, having  the  following  names  :  Eldorado,  Industry,  Eagle 
Town,  Lamoiue,  ~New  Salem,  Scotland,  Erin,  Tennessee,  Mound, 
Macomh,  Spring  Creek,  Eock  Creek,  Prairie  City,  Walnut  Grove, 
Sciota,  Blandiusville.  The  first  election  for  township  officers  was 
held  in  April,  1857,  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held  its  first 
meeting  May  11,  1857.  At  this  meeting  the  name  of  Eagle  Town 
was  changed  to  Bethel ;  Rock  Creek  to  Hire ;  Erin  to  Chalmers, 
and  Spring  Creek  to  Emmet.  A  petition  was  presented  praying 
that  the  town  of  Prairie  City  he  divided  into  two  townships,  but 
the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  refused.  The  following  are  the 
names  and  location  of  the  various  townships  : 

Eldorado,  4  K,  1  W. ;  Industry,  4  K,  2  TV. ;  Bethel,  4  K,  3  TV.; 
Lamoine,  4  K,  4  W. ;  New  Salem,  5  K,  1  TV. ;  Scotland,  5  K,  2 
W. ;  Chalmers,  5  K,  3  TV. ;  Tennessee,  5  K,  4  TV.;  Mound,  6  K, 
1  TV.;  Macomb,  6 K,  2  TV. ;  Emmett,  6  K,  3  TV.  ;  Hire,  6  K,  4 
TV, ;  Prairie  City,  7  K,  1  TV. ;  TValnut  Grove,  7  K,  2  W. ;  Sciota, 
7  K,  3  TV. ;  Blandinsville,  7  K,  4  TV. 

By  the  above  we  were  entitled  to  sixteen  members  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  since  which  time  Macomb  City  has  been  allowed 
two  representatives,  and  Prairie  City  township  has  been  divided, 
the  west  half  called  Bushnell.  Bushnell  township  is  given  one  rep- 
resentative, and  Bushnell  city  one,  making  in  all  twenty  members 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  TVe  here  subjoin  sketches  of  the 
various  townships,  beginning  with — 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  121 

Eldorado. — This  township  lies  in  the  extreme  southeast  part  of 
the  county,  4  n.,  1  w.  It  was  first  settled  in  1831 ;  A.  J.  Foster 
building  the  first  house  on  section  2,  in  the  northeast  portion  of 
the  township,  the  settlement  being  known  to  this  day  as  Foster's 
Point.  About  one-fourth  of  the  township  is  timber  land,  the  bal- 
ance being  a  beautiful  prairie.  The  timber  land  all  lies  in  the 
southern  part,  with  the  exception  of  about  seven  hundred  acres  in 
the  northeast  part,  comprising  all  of  section  1  and  part  of  section 
2.  Divided  up,  we  have  21,292  acres  of  improved  land;  1,400 
acres  of  iinimproved.  In  the  southeastern  part  of  the  township, 
coal  and  building  stone  are  found  in  great  quantities,  and  of  a  good 
quality.  Several  small  streams  run  through  the  township,  fur- 
nishing living  water  for  stock  in  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Sugar 
creek  and  its  branches  are  the  principal  water  courses. 

As  showing  the  value  of  the  township  for  all  purposes  we  com- 
pile the  following  facts  and  figures  of  its  products  for  the  year 
1875,  together  with  the  number  of  head  and  value  of  all  kinds  of 
stock :  There  were  21,293  acres  of  improved  land,  of  which  num- 
ber 7,634  acres  were  in  corn,  1,457  in  wheat,  1,467  in  oats,  and 
656  in  other  products.  There  were  also  2,270  head  of  cattle, 
-value,  $47,574  ;  hogs,  4,192— value,  822,982;  horses,  747— value, 
f  81,200. 

At  the  residence  of  Father  Harris,  living  on  section  1,  was  per- 
formed the  first  marriage  ceremony  in  the  township — Mr.  Cleon 
Keddick  and  Miss  Lucy  Harris,  by  Rev.  Aaron  Kinney,  a  Univer- 
salist  minister,  in  the  year  1839. 

The  first  birth  was  Samuel  J.  Foster,  son  of  A.  J.  and  Sarah 
Foster,  who  was  born  in  the  fall  of  1831.  The  first  death  was 
Ximrod  Foster,  son  of  Henry  Foster,  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year. 

Miss  Lucy  Harris  taught  the  first  school,  in  1837. 

Eldorado  Township,  politically,  is  Democratic.  As  members 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  it  has  sent  John  Price,  James  Keach, 
Thomas  Lawyer,  William  Marshall,  Milton  Amrine,  Thomas  Cox, 
James  Irwin,  Isaac  Chandler,  Job  Marshall  and  A.  J.  Herron, 
the  present  efficient  member. 

There  are  no  towns  in  the  township,  and  her  people  can  truly 
be  said  to  be  agricultural  in  their  tastes  and  habits. 

In  churches  and  school  houses  the  township  is  behind  none. 
On  the  southwest  corner  of  section  15  is  a  good  town  hall,  known 


122  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

as  Eldorado  Hall.  This  building  was  erected  about  the  year  1869, 
at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  It  is  used  for  all  public  purposes,  such  as 
elections,  meetings  of  town  officers  and  general  public  meetings. 

New  Salem. — New  Salem  township  lies  in  range  5  north,  1  west, 
and  is  generally  believed  to  contain  the  finest  body  of  land  in  the 
county.  With  the  exception  of  a  small  tract  of  thirty-eight  acres 
of  timber  in  the  southern  part,  it  is  entirely  prairie  land,  and  for 
richness  of  soil  and  adaptability  to  the  various  products  of  this 
country,  is  unsurpassed.  The  township  was  first  settled  in  1828, 
William  Penhington  erecting  his  cabin  in  the  region  now  known 
as  Pennington's  Point.  There  was  probably  at  that  time  a  little 
more  timber  in  the  township  than  at  present,  and  the  early  settlers 
made  their  homes  so  as  to  have  the  benefit  of  it.  No  attempt  was 
made  to  settle  the  prairie  for  many  years  after,  though  we  believe 
it  was  the  first  township  in  which  this  was  generally  done. 

No  better  improved  farms  are  to  be  found  in  the  Military  Tract 
than  in  New  Salem  Township ;  and  herein  live  some  of  the  most 
wealthy  and  honored  of  our  citizens.  The  hospitality  of  her 
citizens  is  unbounded,  and  the  "latch-string  always  hangs  out" 
and  the  weary  traveler  finds  a  hearty  welcome. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  this  township  we  may  mention 
William  Pennington,  Stewart  Pennington,  Major  Yocum,  J.  E.  D. 
Hammer,  Salem  Woods,  and,  William  Moore.  Salem  Woods, 
although  he  did  not  effect  a  settlement  in  the  township  until  1830, 
visited  it  in  1828,  coming  irom  his  home  in  Pennsylvania  on  foot, 
for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  land  he  had  purchased  the  year 
before,  in  1827.  Not  finding  the  country  as  well  settled  as  he 
anticipated,  he  returned  to  his  old  home,  but  came  out  again  two 
years  after,  settled  down  on  section  30,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since,  retaining  the  original  deed.  Mr.  Woods  brought  the  first 
stove  ever  seen  in  McDonough  County, — a  stove  that  was  a  great 
wonder  in  its  day.  We  have  heard  of  women  making  their  bread, 
and  carrying  it  a  distance  of  nine  miles  to  have  the  honor  of 
baking  it  in  that  stove.  Mr.  Woods  has  yet  a  portion  of  it.  One 
of  the  most  jolly,  good-natured  souls  that  ever  lived  was  Major 
Stephen  Yocum,  and  the  citizens  of  the  Point  will  long  remember 
him. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  township  was  Mr.  Morgan  Jones  and 
Miss  Elizabeth  Osborne,  who  were  united  by  Joseph  Osborne, 
Esq.,  in  February,  1834.  The  first  birth  was  Perry  Pennington, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  125 

son  of  "Wm.  Pennington,  in  the  year  1828.     The  first  death,  J.  J- 
Pennington,  son  of  Stewart  Pennington,  September  10,  1838. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  old  Father  Harris,  at  the 
house  of  AVilliam  Osborne,  at  Pennington^  Point,  in  1834. 

The  first  school  was  taught  at  Pennington's  Point  by  Miss 
Martha  Campbell,  now  the  widow  of  the  John  M.  Walker.  Gideon 
AVaters  was  the  first  to  teach  a  public  school  and  drew  the  first 
public  money. 

This  township  has  one  village  in  its  boundaries,  the  village  of 
Adair,  on  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis  Railroad. 
Mention  is  made  elsewhere  of  this  place,  to  which  we  call  atten- 
tion. Pennington's  Point,  although,  not  incorporated,  has  quite 
a  little  settlement  around  it.  there  being  a  general  store,  a  black- 
smith shop,  a  doctor's  oifice,  and  a  post  office.  Mr.  S.  Raby  is. 
the  postmaster,  Dr.  E.  Bolles,  the  physcian,  while  the  store  and 
blacksmith  shop  are  also  run  by  Mr.  Raby. 

The  products  of  the  township  are  such  as  are  common  through- 
out the  county.  The  value  of  the  land  as  assessed  is  $687,590. 
There  are  22,286  acres  of  improved  land  and  not  one  unimproved. 
In  horses,  cattle,  hogs,  and  other  stock,  she  ranks  second  to  none. 
In  fine  stock,  the  township  is  probably  ahead,  especially  on  cat- 
tle. This  is  the  home  of  Joseph  and  Russell  Lownes,  who  live 
on  sec.  27,  near  the  county  line.  These  gentlemen,  for  many 
years,  have  turned  their  attention  to  fine  cattle,  and  have  about  as 
fine  herds  as  are  to  be  found  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  as  members  of  .the 
Board  of  Supervisors  :  James  H.  Epperson,  Joseph  Lownes,  Simon 
Pontious,  Asahel  Russell,  Reuben  C.  Porter,  Lyman Porter,  Joseph 
E.  Porter,  Amaziah  Hanson,  Abram  Powers,  John  L.  Epperson. 

Mound. — The  southern  portion  of  this  township  is  low  and  flat; 
the  eastern,  bordering  on  Spoon  river  brakes,  is  broken  and  hilly ; 
the  remainder  of  the  land  is  beautifully  rolling  and  fertile.  On 
section  14  is  the  summit  of  a  very  high  mound,  perhaps  the  high- 
est point  in  the  county;  the  ascent  is  very  gradual,  and  scarcely 
perceptible.  "When  the  summit  is  reached  a  grand  view  of  the 
surrounding  country  presents  itself.  From  this  mound  the  town- 
ship derives  its  name.  The  mound  is  known  as  Dyer's  Mound. 

Of  the  thirty-six  sections,  but  one  is  timber  land. 


124  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

In  the  northeastern  portion,  but  a  few  feet  "below  the  surface, 
coal  is  found  in  paying  quantities,  and  several  mines  are  now  being 
worked. 

As  for  improvements,  Mound  ranks  among  the  best,  there  being 
but  few  poor  farms  in  the  whole  township.  There  are  several  fine 
churches  in  the  township,  also  a  good  town  hall,  but  the  school 
houses  fall  below  the  average,  and  are  not  in  keeping  with  the 
wealth  and  high  standing  of  the  people.  This  doubtless  will  soon 
be  otherwise. 

Mound  has  more  miles  of  railroad  than  any  other  township  in 
the  county.  There  is  one  village,  New  Philadelphia,  which  is 
noticed  under  the  head  of  towns  and  villages. 

The  first  settlement  was  in  1832,  Joseph  Smith  building  a  house 
on  section  18,  and  occupying  it  with  his  family.  But  little  pro- 
gress was  made  as  respects  increase  in  population  and  the  develop- 
ment of  the  resources  of  the  township  for  many  years  after.  The 
Crawfords,  Jacksons,  Creels,  Kepples  and  McCandless  are  nurn- 
bered  among  the  first  settlers — all  good  and  industrious  families, 
and  still  living  in  the  respective  neighborhoods  in  which  they  first 
settled. 

Edward  Dyer  and  Jane  Kepple  were  the  first  couple  united  in 
the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony.  They  were  married  on  the  seven- 
teenth day  of  April,  1838,  by  the  Rev.  John  Richmond,  a  Methodist 
minister,  who  organized  the  first  church  in  the  township.  The 
first  preaching  in  the  township  was  also  by  a  Methodist,  Rev.  E. 
Thompson,  who  preached  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Kepple,  in  the 
year  1836.  There  are  now  three  churches  in  the  township,  viz  : 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Christian,  and  United  Brethren. 

The  first  birth  was  that  of  Josephine  Kulp,  about  the  year  1834, 
and  the  first  death  was  Emily  Miller,  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  C.  Miller,  who  died  in  the  year  1832. 

S.  H.  McCandless  taught  the  first  school  in  the  first  cabin  ever 
built  in  the  township,  iri'the  year  1838. 

There  are  in  the  township  22,238  acres  of  improved  land,  having 
an  assessed  value  of  $872,260,  a  higher  rate  than  any  other  in  the 
county.  There  is  no  unimproved  land. 

"With  respect  to  products,  the  township  will  favorably  compare 
with  any  other  in  the  county.  In  stock  it  ranks  number  one.  In 
intelligence  and  business  enterprise  second  to  none.  Being  the 
home  of  such  men  as  the  Porters,  Creels,  Manlys,  Works,  and 
others,  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  125 

Politically,  Mound  is  Republican.  The  township  has  been  rep- 
resented in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  by  Samuel  H.  McCandless, 
Solomon  Markham,  Edward  Dyer,  Christian  Ely,  James  TJpde- 
graff,  Lyman  Porter,  James  Manly,  Joseph  Shannon,  Thomas  J. 
Creel,  Ross  Manly,  and  Joseph  Shannon. 

In  1874  a  town  hall  was  erected  on  section  21,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 
It  is  a  frame  building,  twenty-four  by  thirty-six,  and  is  used  for 
all  town  purposes,  such  as  elections,  public  meetings,  etc. 

Prairie  City  and  Bushnell. — These  townships  were  originally 
one,  and  lie  7  north,  1  west,  and  are  almost  wholly  prairie  land, 
and  as  good  as  can  be  found  in  the  Military  Tract.  Matthew  B. 
Robinson  was  the  first  settler,  erecting  a  house  on  section  30 — 
now  Bushnell  township.  G.  "W.  Thompson  was  probably  the 
second,  and  settled  on  section  25,  six  miles  east  from  Mr.  Robinson. 
Mr.  Thompson  remarked  to  the  writer  that,  notwithstanding  the 
distance,  they  were  truly  neighbors,  much  more  than  many  who- 
now  live  within  a  stone's  throw  of  each  other.  This  was  charac- 
teristic of  early  times. 

But  little  was  done  in  the  settlement  of  the  township  until  the 
completion  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  when,  in  a  short  time,  every 
quarter  was  taken  up  and  occupied. 

The  first  birth  was  Missouri  E.  Robinson,  daughter  of  Matthew 
B.  Robinson,  who  was  born  in  1837. 

The  first  death  was  John  AV.  Clark,  who  died  in  September,. 
1847. 

The  Presbyterians  were  the  first  to  enter  this  new  field  and  sow 
the  seeds  ot  the  gospel,  Rev.  William  H.  Stewart,  of  Macombr 
preaching  the  first  sermon,  at  the  house  of  Matthew  B.  Robinson. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  David  Robinson,  in  the  year 
1838. 

The  township  increased  very  rapidly  in  wealth  and  population 
on  the  completion  of  the  railroad,  and  two  towns  were  laid  out 
within  its  limits ;  one  on  sections  1  and  2,  and  the  other  on  sec- 
tions 27,  28,  33  and  34 — the  former  called  Prairie  City  and  the 
latter  Bushnell.  These  towns  are  noticed  elsewhere  at  some 
length. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  the  township  was  divided  in  1865, 
the  north  half  retaining  the  name  of  Prairie  City  and  the  south 
half  adopting  the  name  of  Bushnell. 


126  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

This  township  has  always  been  Republican.  Before  the  divis- 
ion the  following  named  gentlemen  served  it  on  the  Board  of 
Supervisors:  AlonzoS.Kimber,  G.  F.  Hendrickson,  Isaac  Weaver, 
Hiram  Conover  and  D.  R.  Hamilton.  Since  its  division  Prairie 
City  has  been  repreoented  by  H.  C.  Sanford,  G.  "W.  Hamilton, 
James  W.  Brooks,  Sanger  S.  Stevens,  G.  "W.  Closson,  and  A.  T. 
Irwin.  Bushnell  has  sent  J.  H.  Smith,  I).  M.  Wychofr,  James 
Devon,  S.  A.  Epperson,  A.  L.  Sparks,  J.  C.  Cadwallader,  and  E. 
D.  C.  Ilaines. 

Industry. — Industry  township  lies  in  range  4  north,  2  west,  and 
is  the  oldest  settled  district  in  the  county,,  it  embracing  the  old 
Carter  settlement  of  which  we  make  mention  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  About  two-fifths  of  the  township  was  originally  timber 
land,  a  good  part  of  which  is  now  brought  under  cultivation. 

Being  the  oldest  settled  township  in  the  county  its  people  can 
boast  of  having  initiated  several  customs.  Here  was  performed 
the  first  marriage  ceremony  in  the  county.  Mr.  John  Wilson  and 
Miss  Martha  R.  Yance,  being  united  in  the  "holy  bands  of  wed- 
lock" on  the  30th  day  of  October,  1828;  here  the  first  child  was 
born,  a  daughter  to  Thomas  Carter  in  August,  1828  ;  here  the 
first  death,  a  son  of  Isaac  Fowler,  in  1829  ;  here  the  first  gospel 
sermon,  by  Elder  John  Logan,  in  May,  1828;  here  the  first  church 
erected  in  1831,  which  is  still  standing,  it  having  been  built  as  a 
Union  church;  here  the  first  school,  taught  by  an  Englishman 
named  Jenkins. 

The  township  now  has  21,457  acres  of  improved  lands,  and 
1,403  acres  of  unimproved,  with  a  total  cash  value  of  $612,866; 
towns  lots,  $33,749.  In  the  past  year  (1875),  there  were  planted 
and  sown  6,987  acres  corn,  1,651  acres  wheat,  1,057  acres  oats, 
212  acres  other  products.  There  were  in  the  township  910 
horses,  1,806  cattle,  68  mules,  868  sheep,  and  2,521  hogs.  (For 
value  of  these  see  table). 

In  the  south  part  of  the  township,  and  probably  underlying 
every  square  foot  of  soil  in  all  parts,  may  be  found  coal  in  great 
abundance,  the  veins  averaging  thirty-three  inches.  Ebenezer 
Jones,  James  A.  Yawter,  William  Dupees  and  others  are  working 
good  veins  of  an  excellent  quality. 

We  find  in  the  township,  including  the  town  of  Industry, 
several  churches,  showing  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  people  are  not 
neglected.  There  are  also  school  houses,  with  an  average  attend- 
ance in  their  schools  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  127 

Grindstone  Creek  (formerly  called  Turkey  Creek)  is  the  princi- 
pal stream  passing  through  the  township,  it  coming  in  on  section  1 
and  passing  out  at  section  19.  Camp  Creek  passes  through  a 
portion  of  sections  5  and  6.  Thus  we  find  the  township  well 
watered.  All  things  taken  into  consideration,  the  division  of  the 
township  into  timber  and  prairie  land,  the  abundance  ©f  coal, 
stone  for  building  purposes,  etc.,  we  consider  Industry  well-favor- 
ed. Among  the  wealthy  farmers,  we  may  mention  Darius  Runkle, 
who  owns  large  tracts  of  land  in  the  southern  part.  The  follow- 
ing named  gentlemen  have  served  the  township  as  members  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  :  Joel  Pennington,  1857-60  ;  Darius  Kunkle, 
1860;  Leander  Cassidy,  1861-63;  P.  B.  Cordell,  1863-65;  T.  J. 
Peunington,  1865 ;  James  P.  Skiles,  1866-68 ;  George  A.  Taylor, 
1868;  R.  A.  Duncan,  1869 ;  Ebenezer  Vail,  1870;  T.  J.  Peunington, 
1871;  T.  B.  Cordell,  1872;  Thomas  L.  Maxwell,  1873;  C.  R. 
Shannon,  1874;  W.  H.  Taylor,  1875;  William  Kinkade,  1876. 

Scotland. — This  township  derived  its  name  from  the  large  number 
of  Scottish  citizens  living  in  the  township  at  its  organization.  It 
lies  in  range  5  north,  2  west. 

The  first  settlement  effected  in  the  township  was  in  the  year 
1832.  Dr.  Charles  Hays,  a  physician  of  large  practice  in  the 
early  times,  and  the  Hon.  Cyrus  Walker  being  the  first  to  erect 
their  cabins.  The  Clarks,  Alisons,  Harlans,  and  Campbells  were 
among  the  early  settlers.  These  men  are  yet  living,  or  have 
descendants  living  in  the  township,  all,  we  believe,  well-to-do 
farmers  and  excellent  business  men. 

The  township  is  all  prairie  land,  except  groves  along  the  banks 
of  Camp  Creek,  which  is  reported  to  the  assessors  as  being  timber 
land,  and  containing  6C2  acres,  a  little  more  than  a  section.  The 
soil  is  the  best  in  the  county,  and  no  township  can  boast  a  greater 
yield  of  corn  or  other  products  to  the  acre.  A  large  amount  of 
stock  is  raised,  it  being  one  of  the  best  sections  of  country  in  the 
State  for  that  purpose. 

Xo  better  improved  farms  are  found,  no  finer  residences  and 
better  barns  than  those  in  this  township.  The  people  are  all  of 
the  industrious  class,  and  are  continually  adding  to  their  wealth. 
Dr.  B.  E.  Westfall,  Milton  Knight,  S.  C.  Knight,  Amos  Dixon, 
L.  F.  Smith,  M.  Herndon,  J.  M.  Eexroat,  and  the  Barclay  broth- 
ers, are  among  the  prominent  men  of  the  township. 


128  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Rev.  Wm.  K.  Stewart,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  living  in  Ma- 
comb,  preached  the  first  gospel  sermon  at  the  house  of  Hon.  Cyrus 
Walker,  in  the  year  1837.  This  denomination  outranks  all  others 
in  the  township,  having  two  flourishing  churches  in  the  southern 
part,  a  description  of  which  may  be  found  in  the  chapter  on  the 
religious  history  of  the  county. 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  township  was  in  a  log  house  on 
Camp  Creek,  Miss  Mary  Mead  as  teacher.  Scotland  to-day  has 
the  best  school  buildings  of  any  township  in  the  county,  in  num- 
ber, nine,  and  valued  at  about  §10,000.  Her  schools  have  always 
been  the  best,  with  number  one  teachers  usually  employed. 

The  first  death  was  the  Rev.  Ezekiel  Campbell,  who  died  in  the 
year  1834,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Craig  farm. 

The  first  couple  marrying  in  the  township  we  were  unable  to- 
learn. 

The  assessed  value  of  land  for  the  year  1876  is  $634,080.  A 
small  portion  of  Macomb  lies  in  this  township,  but  its  record  of 
town  lots  are  kept  by  that  city,  and  do  not  come  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  township  officers  at  all.  In  value  of  stock  Scotland 
ranks  third  in  the  county.  In  imported  stock  it  ranks  first.  Dr. 
B.  R.  Westfall  and  J,  M.Rexroat  have  been  making  special  efforts 
to  improve  the  stock  of  the  county  by  importing  thorough  bred 
horses  and  cattle  from  Europe  and  other  places. 

Scotland  politically  is  Republican  by  a  large  vote,  and  is  usually 
relied  upon  by  the  leaders  of  that  party  to  bring  in  a  good  major- 
ity. 

Isaac  P.  Monfort,  George  W.  Provine,  Jacob  Randolph,  John 
Blackburn,  Samuel  R.  Jones,  John  C.  Moore,  John  Watson,  L.  F. 
Smith,  Jonas  Ringer  and  John  Barclay  have  served  the  township 
as  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Macomb. — The  history  of  this  township  in  a  measure  is  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  the  city  of  Macomb.  It  lies  in  six  north,, 
two  west,  and  is  principally  prairie,  though  having  considerable 
timber  along  the  margin  of  Crooked  creek  and  its  branches.  In 
woodland  there  was  reported  to  the  assessor  in  1876,  only  a  little 
over  a  section — 696  acres.  Among  the  settlers  in  the  township 
were  Alexander  Harris,  Joseph  Smith,  Robert  Grant,  J.  P.  Upde- 
graff,  Ephraioa  Palmer,  William  Hamilton  and  Levi  Hamilton, 
the  first  among  them  settling  about  the  year  1831.  This  town- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  129 

ship  was  made  noted  at  an  early  day  by  the  circumstances  of  a 
child  being  lost,  an  account  of  which  is  given  in  one  of  the  first 
chapters  of  this  book. 

The  township  now  has  some  advantages  over  those  of  any  other 
in  the  county,  chiet  among  which  is  its  accessibility  to  a  railroad 
depot,  there  being  no  part  of  it  over  four  miles  from  one.  It  has 
only  two  churches  in  it,  but  its  proximity  to  the  towns  surround- 
ing it  obviates  any  difficulty  here. 

Crooked  creek  passes  through  the  entire  township,  coming  in 
at  section  thirteen,  and  passing  out  at  section  thirty.  Drowning 
Fork,  of  this  stream,  derived  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  a 
man  being  drowned  tliere  about  the  year  1827.  Two  soldiers 
were  returning  from  the  northern  part  of  this  State,  or  Wisconsin, 
where  they  had  been  fighting  Indians,  going  south.  When  they 
arrived  at  this  branch  of  Crooked  creek  they  found  it  swollen  by 
recent  rains.  In  attempting  to  cross,  one  of  them  was  drowned. 
His  companion  buried  him  beside  the  stream,  and  made  his  way 
to  the  block  house,  in  Industry  township,  where  he  narrated  the 
circumstances  to  the  few  settlers  surrounding  it,  who  returned 
with  him  to  the  creek  and  found  it  as  he  described.  They  gave 
it  the  name  which  it  has  since  borne — Drowning  Fork. 

Although  there  are  fewer  acres  of  land  susceptible  of  cultiva- 
tion in  the  township,  it  is  well  improved  in  every  respect, 
and  has  living  within  its  boundaries  some  of  the  most  en- 
terprising farmers  in  the  county,  among  whom  we  may  mention 
L.  H.  Copeland,  formerly  County  Superintendent  of  Public 
Schools,  David  Holler,  H.  H.  McElwain,  Durham  Harris,  L.  H. 
Shriner,  John  Wiley,  Andy  Lewis,  William  Rile,  James  Fulton, 
Abraham  Switzer,  L.  H.  Shriner,  W.  E.  Roberts,  John 
Crabb,  the  Cline  Brothers,  Joseph  Parks,  and  a  host  of  others. 
David  Holler  has  an  advantage  over  many  of  the  farmers  of  the 
county,  in  the  fact  that  he  can  sell  the  dirt  of  his  farm,  and 
whether  able  to  raise  anything  or  not,  he  can  still  live.  The 
finest  clay  in  the  world  for  the  manufacture  of  fire-brick,  tiling 
and  earthenware,  comes  from  his  farm. 

The  land  in  this  township  not  available  for  cultivation  makes 
the  finest  pasture,  and  we  find  the  township  excelling  as  a  stock- 
producing  country,  having  three  times  as  many  h'ead  of  cattle  as 
any  other. 

H— 9 


130  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  greater  part  of  the  city  of  Macomb  lies  in  this  township, 
and  also  the  town  of  Bardolph.  This  takes  from  the  total  value 
of  the  lands,  but  it  has  §623,127  worth,  at  the  assessed  value. 

We  find  the  following  named  persons  who  have  served  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors :  James  Maguire,  Louis  H.  Waters,  B.  E. 
Hampton,  William  S.  Hendricks,  Firman  Casto,  O.  F.  Piper,  Wil- 
liam J.  Merritt,  F.  D.  Knapp,  William  II.  Rile,  John  Archer, 
Thomas  Cline  and  Foster  Dobbins. 

Walnut  Grove. — This  township  was  not  settled  as  early  as  some 
others,  the  first  record  wo  have  being  in  the  spring  of  1335,  when 
Sidney  Gear  erected  his  house  on  section  J4.  It  is  a  beautiful 
prairie  country,  its  timber  land,  about  one  hundred  acres,  lying 
along  the  banks  of  the  stream. 

The  first  birth  was  Flora  M.  Walker,  daughter  of  Gilmore 
Walker,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1836.  Mr.  Walker  was  the 
first  to  lose  a  child,  Martha  Walker,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1837. 
Rev.  Harrison  Berry,  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  clergyman,  and 
Miss  Martha  Walker  were  the  first  couple  married  in  the  town- 
ship. They  were  united  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  February,  1838, 
at  the  residence  of  Gilmore  Walker,  by  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Haines. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Griggs  preached  the  first  sermon  in  1836.  Walker 
Findley  taught  the  first  school  in  1838,  in  a  log  cabin  on  section  16, 
near  what  is  now  known  as  the  Deer  Park. 

The  township  is  well  represented  by  the  various  religious 
denominations,  each  having  good  church  buildings,  showing  the 
inhabitants  are  not  adverse  to  religious  influences.  As  to  its 
educational  facilities,  it  is  up  to  the  average. 

The  T.  P.  &  W.  Railroad  passes  through  the  township  on  the 
south  side,  and  the  St.  L.,  C.  &  R.  I.  crosses  its  northeast  corner. 
A  portion  of  Good  Hope  lies  in  the  township,  near  the  southwest 
corner.  This  town  is  mentioned  elsewhere.  Bushnell  and  Prairie 
City  are  within  convenient  distance,  which  give  the  people  good 
markets. 

Politically,  the  township  may  be  classed  as  Republican.  We 
find  the  following  named  gentlemen  have  been  members  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors :  Dr.  D.  J.  Dungan,  John  McSperritt, 
Joshua  Larkins,  »D.  A.  McKee,  Samuel  McWhinney,  E.  B.  Davis, 
William  W.  Stewart,  David  Brockway  and  R.  A.  Morris. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  131 

Bethel. — This  township  lies  4  north,  3  west,  and  is  principally 
timber  land,  containing  some  of  the  finest  in  the  county.  John 
Gibson  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  settle  here,  he  building 
himself  a  cabin  in  the  year  1830,  about  the  time  the  Clarkes,Xay- 
lors,  and  others  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Macomb.  Mr. 
Gibson  built  his  house  on  section  2,  near  the  present  village  of 
Micldletown.  That  his  selection  of  a  site  was  good  is  admitted 
by  all.  James  Edmundson,  one  of  the  first  County  Commission- 
ers, Marks,  Dunsworth,  Archer,  and  Matthews  also  came  at  an 
early  day. 

The  first  marriage  was  Mr.  Thomas  Driskill  and  Miss  Sarah 
Gibson,  who  were  united  November  16,  1839,  by  Jesse  Neece, 
Esq.,  a  Justice  of  Peace.  The  first  birth  was  Joseph,  son  of  John 
Gibson,  in  1832. 

The  Baptist  was  the  first  religious  denomination  to  preach  the 
gospel,  old  Father  Bradley  and  Thomas  Owens,  doing  the  work. 
These  men,  we  believe,  organized  a  Baptist  church  here  about 
1835. 

John  Claybaugh  taught  the  first  school  on  section  6,  in  1831. 

This  township  is  well  watered,  the  two  forks  of  Crooked  Creek 
passing  through  its  entire  length,  one  coming  in  on  section  24,  and 
the  others  on  section  1,  both  uniting  and  passing  out  on  section  31. 

The  north  part  of  the  township  is  prairie  land,  and  we  find 
some  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  The  southern  part  is 
timber  laud,  and  is  the  depository  of  immense  beds  of  coal  and  a 
great  deal  of  stone  for  building  purposes.  Copper,  zinc  and  iron 
ore  have  been  found  in  large  quantities,  though  but  little  effort 
has  been  made  to  test  the  matter  as  to  whether  it  can  be  found 
sufficient  to  pay  working  or  not. 

There  are  in  the  township  17,403  acres  of  improved  land,  and 
-5,053  acres  of  wood  land. 

This  is  a  democratic  township,  and  has  sent  as  members  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  the  following  named  gentlemen  :  James  H. 
Dunsworth,  John  Nankivil,  James  Black,  Wm.  Twaddle,  James 
Eobinson,  John  M.  Dunsworth,  Samuel  Wilson,  Archibald  Hols- 
tine,  AVm.  H.  Kankivil. 

Chalmers. — This  is  one  of  the  oldest  settled  townships  in  the 
•county,  and  lies  five  north,  three  west.  Daniel  and  David  Trox- 
well,  Berry  Jones  and  theMcFaddens  were  the  first  to  inhabit  the 


132  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

township,  in  1828.  The  first  mentioned  left  the  following  yearr 
1830.  John  D.  Barber,  Jesse  Neece  and  Robert  Phelps  can  also 
be  numbered  with  the  first. 

This  township  contains  more  timber  land  than  any  other  in  the 
county,  which  doubtless  accounts  for  its  early  settlement  and 
subsequent  growth.  John  W.  Westfall,  familiarly  known  as 
Governor  Westfall,  and  Miss  Neece,  were  the  first  couple  married. 
Miss  ISTeece  was  the  daughter  of  Jesse  Neece,  and  a  sister  of  Horu 
W.  H.  ISTeece.  They  were  married  by  James  Clarke,  Esq.,  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  December,  1834. 

The  first  birth  was  Martin,  son  of  Eobert  Phelps,  in  the  year 
year  1830. 

The  first  death  was  a  Mr.  Bowen,  who  died  in  the  year  1830,  at 
the  residence  of  David  McFadden,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
"William  Hunter,  near  the  city  of  Macomb.  He  was  buried  in  the 
old  grave  yard  near  Macomb,  and  was  the  second  person  interred 
therein. 

Rev.  John  Baker,  who  is  mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  this- 
work,  a  Baptist  minister,*prcached  the  first  discourse  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Daniel  Troxwell,  in  1830. 

William  Shelton  taught  the  first  school  on  section  20,  in  1833. 

A  portion  of  the  city  of  Macomb  lies  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
this  township,  and  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Colchester  lies  on 
section  nineteen. 

By  reference  to  the  returns  of  the  assessors,  we  learn  that  there 
are  yet  7,760  acres  of  timber  land,  a  greater  number  than  any 
other  in  the  county.  The  fuel  question,  so  far  as  they  are  con- 
cerned, is  settled. 

There  are  here  many  good  farms,  the  most  of  which  are  small,, 
there  being  very  few  large  landholders.  This  is  far  better  for  the 
general  good. 

Living  here  we  find  the  following  named  excellent  citizens,  who- 
have  done  much,  and  are  still  working  for,  the  best  interest  of  the 
township  :  C.  W.  Dunsworth,  George  W.  Duncan,  and  William 
Reid,  W.  S.  McClelland,  George  Kruse,  John  D.  Barber,  Mrs, 
Alison  and  Mrs.  Sullivan. 

This  township  has  always  been  Democratic.  The  following 
have  been  sent  to  represent  the  township  as  members  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  since  the  adoption  of  the  township  organization 
law :  Isaac  McCowan,  Alexander  Blackburn,  Jeremiah  Sullivan, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  133 

Sr.,  Henry  S.  Marvel,  T.  B.  McCormick,  Cyrus  Hoyt,  George  W. 
iXeece,  Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Jr.,  R.  L.  Horrell  and  George  M. 
Thompson. 

Emmet. — This  township  lies  6  north,  3  west,  and  is  about  equally 
divided  between  timber  and  prairie  land.  A  portion  of  it  lying 
in  the  present  city  of  Macomb,  its  history  is  contemporaneous  with 
it,  Peter  Hale,  the  first  Coroner  of  the  county,  building  his  cabin 
on  the  quarter  where  the  old  grave  yard,  west  of  Macomb,  is  lo- 
cated, in  the  year  1830.  William  Pringle  settled  a  short  dis- 
tance west.  This  was  the  first  settlement  in  the  township.  In  the 
year  1881  William  Pennington  removed  from  Pennington's  Point, 
and  located  upon  Spring  creek,  about  eight  miles  northwest  of 
Macomb,  where  he  still  resides.  John  Wyatt  settled  near  by 
about  the  same  time.  Others  soon  followed,  and  the  Spring  Creek 
settlement  became  quite  noted.  The  Russells,  McCords,  Hum- 
berts, and  others  were  among  the  first,  and  all  have  descendants 
yet  living  in  the  township. 

Elder  John  Logan,  the  noted  pioneer  preacher,  a  short  biogra- 
phy of  whom  we  give  elsewhere,  preached  the  first  sermon  on 
Spring  creek  in  the  year  1832. 

David  G.  McFadden  and  Miss  Dorcas  Bowen  were  the  first 
•couple  married  in  the  township,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by 
James  Vance,  Sr.,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  some  time  in  the  year 
1833.  This  McFadden  was  one  of  the  two  hung  about  two  years 
later  for  the  murder  of  John  Wilson,  they  being  the  only  citizens 
ot  McDonough  county  who  have  met  the  like  fate. 

The  township  is  well  watered,  and  is  an  excellent  stock  country. 
Crooked  creek  passes  through  the  southeast  portion  of  the  town- 
ship, and  Spring  creek  and  tributaries  running  through  the  greater 
portion  of  it,  furnishes  living  water  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

There  are  many  excellent  farms  here,  and  the  farmers  are  nearly 
all  well  to  do  men.  J.  D.,  A.  J.  and  J.  K".  Hainline,  Samuel  Dey, 
James  D.  Griffith,  Samuel  McCray,  A.  B.,  William  and  George 
Stickle,  George  Guy  and  sons,  William  C.  McLeod,  are  among 
her  best  citizens. 

There  are  4,439  acres  of  wood  land,  and  20,055  improved,  and 
2,762  unimproved  land.  The  improved  is  assessed  for  1876  at 
§432,623. 

In  churches  and  school  houses  the  township  will  bear  compari- 
son with  any  other. 


134  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Emmet  has  always  been  Democratic,  generally  voting  the  ticket 
straight.  This  year,  1876,  by  strong  effort,  the  Republicans  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  small  majority  on  their  county  ticket. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  as  members  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  :  Jonathan  H.  Baker,  James  M.  Campbell, 
Charles  Creel,  "William  C.  McLeod  and  Thomas  Murray.  Since 
1859,  William  C.  McLeod  has  served  on  the  Board  fourteen  years, 
a  longer  time  than  any  other  person  in  the  county  save  one.  He 
certainly  has  made  an  efficient  officer. 

Sciota. — This  township  lies  in  range  7  north,  3  west,  and  is  a 
very  fine  body  of  land.  With  the  exception  of  one-quarter  sec- 
tion in  the  southwest  corner,  it  is  entirely  prairie,  and  nearly  all 
available  for  cultivation.  The  land  is  very  fertile,  and  at  this 
time  there  is  scarcely  a  foot  of  soil,  outside  of  public  highways,, 
but  what  is  under  fence,  and  all  under  cultivation,  save  the  tim- 
ber land  mentioned  above  and  a  little  on  the  brakes  of  the  creeks. 

The  first  settlement  made  in  this  township  was  in  the  year  183(> 
— Pressly  Purdy,  John  Hainline,  Benjamin  Clark  and  V.  M.  Har- 
din  being  among  the  early  settlers.  The  township  made  no- 
special  growth  until  about  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  There  being  so  much 
prairie  land  within  its  boundaries,  it  seemed  a  perfect  barrier  to 
its  settlement.  Where  was  the  timber  to  come  from  for  fuel  and 
fencing  purposes,  and  what  protection  could  be  had  from  the  cold 
blasts  of  winter  ?  The  fuel  and  fencing  question  was  effectually 
solved  by  the  introduction  of  the  railroad,  and,  from  experience, 
it  was  found  that  one  could  live  about  as  comfortable  upon  the 
open  prairie  as  in  the  timber.  It  was  not  until  about  the  year 
1856  that  much  progress  was  made  in  settling  upon  the  prairie; 
previous  to  this  the  settlers  all  hugged  the  timber  joining  the 
township  on  the  southwest.  When  John  Logan  settled  upon  sec- 
tion 16,  in  1857,  his  friends  thought  he  was  crazy  in  going  so  far 
from  the  timber,  and  predicted  he  would  never  be  troubled  with 
neighbors — the  nearest  one  then  being  about  three  miles  away. 
Now  there  is  not  a  quarter  section  in  the  whole  township  where 
there  is  not  a  dwelling  house,  arid  there  are  many  very  fine  farms 
which  are  well  cultivated  by  their  happy  owners. 

The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Mr.  V.  M.  Hardin  and  Miss- 
Nancy  Purdy.  They  were  united  by  Rev.  Jesse  Chapman,  a 
Baptist  preacher  then  living  in  Macomb,  on  the  sixteenth  day  of 


135 

April,  1810,  and  on  the  twentieth  of  June,  1841,  was  born  to  them 
Mary  E.,  the  first  child  born  in  the  township. 

The  first  school  house  was  built  in  1846,  and  Louis  Goddard 
taught  the  first  school.  There  are  now  eight  in  the  township, 
each  enjoying  a  reasonable  degree  of  prosperity. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Haines  preached  the  first  sermon  at  the  house  of 
John  Haiuline,  in  the  summer  of  1839.  Mr.  Haines  was  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  denomination. 

There  are  two  villages  in  the  township — Good  Hope  and  Sciota, 
the  latter  more  generally  known  as  Clarkesville — a  name  given  it 
in  honor  of  William  B.  Clarke,  who  established  the  point.  For 
description  oi  these  villages  the  reader  is  referred  to  another 
chapter. 

The  township  is  mainly  well  watered,  the  Walnut  Grove  branch 
of  Crooked  creek  and  its  tributaries  passing  through  some  ten 
or  twelve  sections,  while  the  head  waters  of  Spring  creek  is 
formed  on  section  29,  and  passes  out  on  section  31. 

The  principal  products  are  corn,  wheat  and  oats.  In  corn  the 
township  outranks  any  other  in  the  county,  in  1875  having  13,712 
acres.  If  we  give  50  bushels  as  an  average,  it  would  be  685,600 
as  the  yield. 

Politically,  Sciota  has  always  been  Democratic.  The  following 
are  the  names  of  those  serving  the  township  as  members  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors :  William  Heath,  James  M.  Wallen,  G.  F. 
Green,  J.  W.  Brewster,  Benjamin  Robinson,  J.  T.  Painter,  Eph- 
raim  Dice,  John  W.  Tipton  and  Evan  Rodgers. 

Lamoine. — Lamoine  lies  in  township  4  north,  range  4  west  and 
is  principally  timber  land.  Its  first  settlement  was  in  1830,  and 
the  first  house  built  on  section  12,  by  David  Fees.  In  the  south- 
western part  a  settlement  was  founded,  we  believe,  in  the  following 
year,  on  what  is  known  as  Round  Prairie,  near  the  Hancock  and 
Schuyler  county  line.  In  this  part  of  the  township  are  some  fine 
farms,  the  land  being  of  a  good  quality.  The  Twidwells,  Whit- 
tingtons,  and  Myers,  were  the  first  to  settle  011  Round  Prairie, 
while  Thomas  and  Benjamin  Powers  and  David  Fees  settled  on 
the  eastern  part,  joining  Bethel. 

The  first  birth  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  David  Fees,  in  the  year 
1830. 


136  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

It  was  several  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  township,  before 
death  entered,  Isaac  Smith  dying  on  Bound  Prairie  in  the  year 
1840,  being  the  first  one. 

In  the  year  1832,  at  the  house  of  Elijah  Poole,  the  first  gospel 
sermon  was  preached,  by  Old  Father  Bradley  and  Thomas  Owens. 

There  is  one  village  in  the  township — Colmar,  on  the  C.  B.  £ 
Q.  E.  R. 

William  S.  Hendricks,  a  well  known  former  citizen  of  the 
county,  taught  the  first  school  on  section  11,  about  the  year  1839. 

Lamoine  is  Democratic,  and  has  elected  to  serve  them  in  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors  the  following  named  gentlemen: 
John  S.  Holliday.  John  Twidwell,  L.  G.  Reed,  J.  W.  Hendricks, 
and  William  Robinson. 

Mr.  Reed  has  the  honor  of  having  served  on  the  Board  longer 
than  any  other  person,  serving  fifteen  years  out  of  the  twenty  since 
the  adoption  of  the  township  organization  law.  He  has  made  an 
efficient  officer,  and  served  several  terms  as  chairman  of  the  Board. 
He  was  the  agent  of  the  county  in  superintending  the  work  of 
building  the  new  court  house,  and  faithfully  attended  to  his  duties. 
Although  a  zealous  politican,  he  enjoys  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
both  political  friends  and  foes. 

Tennessee. — This  township  was  settled  at  an  early  day,  Roswell 
Tyrrell  building  a  house  in  which  to  live  in  the  year  1830.  We 
find  it  principally  timber,  there  being  given  to  the  assessor  as 
wood  land  in  1876,  a  total  number  of  10,293  acres.  A  good  part 
of  this  is  counted  also  as  improved,  for  we  find  15,204  acres 
marked  as  such.  A  good  portion  is  excellent  farming  land,  and 
there  are  a  number  of  good  farms. 

The  whole  township  is  underlaid  with  stone  coal  of  an  excel- 
lent quality;  some  of  the  best  mines  in  the  whole  State  are  here 
found. 

Crooked  creek  passes  through  the  township,  coming  in  on  sec. 
1,  and  passing  out  on  sec.  18. 

The  greater  part  of  Colchester  lies  in  this  township,  and  also 
the  village  of  Tennessee.  This  takes  from  the  gross  amount  of 
the  value  of  their  land. 

Samuel  A.  Hunt  taught  the  first  school  in  the  winter  of  1833, 
in  a  log  cabin  on  sec.  3. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  137 

The  first  marriage  was  Benjamin  Welch  and  Miss  Pauline  Kirk, 
who  were  united  in  the  year  1834  by  Rev.  James  King,  a  Meth- 
odist preacher. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Haines,  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  preacher,  deliv- 
ered the  first  discourse,  at  the  house  of  Joshua  Hunt,  sometime 
in  the  year  1834. 

Stephen  A.  White,  E.  B.  Hibbard,  William  Moore,  Reson 
Kooton,  Ralford  McClure,  John  Myers,  Rutherford  McClure  and 
H.  L.  Rapelje,  have  served  with  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Hire. — This  township  derived  its  name  from  George  W.  Hire, 
it  first  being  called  Rock  Creek.  It  lies  6  north,  4  west,  and  was 
settled  at  an  early  day,  a  portion  of  Job's  settlement  reaching 
into  it.  Xathaniel  Herrou  was  probably  the  first  settler,  and 
Robert  Seybold  the  next.  Mr.  Herron  came  out  and  built  his 
cabin  in  the  fall  of  1827,  when  he  returned  for  his  family  and 
moved  in  the  spring  of  1828.  Like  many  other  portions  of  this 
county,  Hire  was  originally  settled  by  the  Kentuckians,  with  a 
very  slight  mixture  from  other  States.  Of  those  settling  here  at 
an  early  day,  we  recall  to  mind  Major  Hungate,  John  Hardesty, 
Jacob  Clark,  John  Hunt,  Vandever  Banks,  Evan  Martin, 
and  John  Logan.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  attained  some  prom- 
inence in  McDonough  county  affairs.  John  Hardesty  was  County 
Commissioner  for  several  years ;  John  Logan  was  a  noted  Bap- 
tist preacher ;  Vandever  Banks  was  somewhat  of  a  politician, 
running  once  for  the  Legislature,  being  beaten  by  throwing  out 
of  one  of  the  poll  books  on  account  of  some  informality. 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  to  proclaim  the  gospel,  Rev.  £s~ehe- 
rniah  Hurd  preaching  at  the  house  of  Vandever  Banks,  in  the 
year  1836. 

Captain  Charles  R.  Hume,  well  and  favorably  known  throughout 
the  county,  taught  the  first  school  in  1838,  at  the  present  residence 
of  Isaac  Oakman.  Previous  to  this  time  the  citizens  of  the  town- 
ship were  compelled  to  send  their  children  to  other  more  for- 
tunate settlements  to  obtain  an  education. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  death  previous  to  the  year  1844,  when 
George  W.,  a  son  of  Yandever  and  Leonore  Banks,  died  on  the 
fourth  day  of  March. 

Hire  is  principally  prairie,  with  groves  here  and  there.  The 
soil  is  of  good  quality,  and  the  farms  are  among  the  best  in  the 
county.  Within  the  past  ten  years  great  improvements  have  been 


138  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

made ;  the  old  log  house  has  given  place  to  the  stylish  modern 
residence ;  straw  barns  to  large  wooden  structures.  Everything 
betokens  change  for  the  better. 

This  is  a  gcod  stock  country,  and  considerable  attention  is  giv- 
en to  this  branch  of  industry. 

By  the  assessments,  and  from  personal  enquiry,  we  learn  there 
are  22,743  acres  of  improved  land  in  the  township,  valued  at 
$580,052.  Of  wood  land  there  are  803  acres. 

Hire  has  had  to  represent  her  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  the 
following  named  gentlemen :  Ebenezer  !N".  Hicks,  R.  Matteson 
Foils,  Isaac  Oakman,  Jesse  Martin,  J.  E.  K.  Carlisle,  Samuel  Lo- 
gan, William  D.  Welch,  and  Allen  Stookey. 

Btandinsmlle. — With  the  exception  of  Industry  this  is  the  old- 
est settled  township  in  the  county — William  Job  and  two  of  his 
brothers-in-law  coming  here  in  1827.  A  thriving  settlement  was 
soon  gathered,  and  was  called,  in  honor  of  William  Job,  "  Job's 
settlement,"  and  until  the  past  few  years  it  still  continued  to  bear 
the  name. 

John  Hardesty,  Redmond  Grigsby,  Harrison  Hungate,  V.  M. 
Hardin,  Charles  G.  Hungate,  William  Hardesty,  William  D., 
James  A.,  John  S.  and  Thomas  Mustain,  Silas  J.  Grigsby  and 
John  Huston  were  among  the  first  settlers.  Many  of  these  are  yet 
living,  and  all  have  descendants  here  who  are  prominently  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  the  township  and  of  the  county. 

James  Vance,  son  of  John  Yance,  was  the  first  child  born  here. 
He  was  born  on  section  29,  in  the  year  1830. 

Elder  John  Logan,  the  old  pioneer  preacher,  who  probably 
preached  as  many  discourses  for  as  little  money  as  any  other  man, 
and  who  toiled  long  for  the  Master,  delivered  the  first  discourse  in 
1829  or  1830,  in  the  barn  of  John  Hardesty.  The  first  church 
was  built  about  the  year  1832  as  a  Union  Church,  and  was  occu- 
pied by  the  Baptist  and  Christian  denominations  in  common. 

Blandinsville  township  is  principally  prairie,  though  having  in 
it  considerable  timber,  given  in  to  the  assessors  at  5,166  acres.  The 
land  is  of  good  quality,  and  in  it  are  some  of  the  best  farms,  the  finest 
residences,  and  most  substantial  outbuildings  found  in  the  county. 
As  a  stock  producing  township  it  ranks  number  one.  In  number 
of  head  of  cattle  it  is  next  to  Macomb,  and  in  quality  it  is  probably 
ahead.  Here  is  the  home  of  Rigdon  Huston,  Esq.,  one  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  139 

heaviest  stock  dealers  in  the  county.  His  herd  of  fine  cattle  has 
borne  away  from  the  fairs  of  the  State  many  blue  ribbons.  John 
Huston  also  devotes  a  great  deal  of  labor  to  this  branch  of  indus- 
try. 

Among  the  many  excellent  farmers  and  business  men  of  the 
township  who  have  spent  time  and  money  in  building  up  its  in- 
dustries are  Rigdon,  Thomas  B.,  Preston  and  John  Huston,  Hon. 
Humphrey  Horrabin,  William  Blackhurst,  O.  M.  Lisk,  George  G. 
Blandin,  William  H.  Grigsby  and  Thomas  M.  Gilfrey. 

The  village  of  Blandinsville  is  in  this  township,  and  much  of  its 
history  is  identified  with  it.  A  sketch  of  the  place  is  found  else- 
where. 

This  is  one  of  the  strong  Democratic  townships.  It  has  had  to 
represent  her  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  William  W.  Moss,  Hiram 
Williams,  Victor  M.  Hardin,  James  A.  Munstain,  Rigdon  Huston, 
W.  W.  Gillihan  and  Silas  J.  Grigsby. 


140  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

GEOLOGICAL. 

We  make  no  apology  for  copying  bodily  from  the  report  of 
Hon.  A.  H.  Worthen,  State  Geologist,  his  remarks  wi-th  reference 
to  the  geology  of  this  county.  To  scholars  this  chapter  will  be 
especially  valuable. 

The  geological  formations  appearing  at  the  surface  in  this 
county  comprise  the  Quaternary,  including  the  loess  and  drift ; 
the  lower  portions  of  the  coal  measure,  including  the  three  lowest 
seams  of  coal ;  and  the  St.  Louis  and  Keokuk  divisions  of  the 
Lower  Carboniferous  limestones. 

The  entire  area  ot  this  county,  except  the  valleys  of  the 
streams,  is  covered  with  beds  of  Quaternary  age,  ranging  from 
thirty  to  a  hundred  feet  or  more  in  thickness,  and  presenting  the 
same  general  features  that  have  been  given  as  characteristics  of 
this  formation  in  the  reports  on  the  adjoining  counties.  Good 
natural  exposures  of  these  are  but  rarely  found  here,  and  the  ob- 
server is  compelled  to  rely  mainly  on  such  information  as  can  be  ob- 
tained from  the  well  diggers,  or  others  engaged  in  surface  excava- 
tions, as  to  their  thickness  and  general  character.  In  the  railroad 
cut  on  the  north  bank  of  Crooked  creek,  just  below  Colmar,  the 
following  section  of  Quaternary  beds  was  seen  : 

Soil 1  to     2  feet. 

Ash  colored  marley  clay  (loess) 8  to  10     " 

Eeddish-brown  clay 5      " 

Sand  and  gravel,  partially  stratified 15  to  20     " 

This  exposure  is  considerably  below  the  general  level  of  the 
prairie,  and  the  beds  seem  to  have  been  subjected  to  some  shifting 
process  since  its  original  deposition,  giving  to  it  the  general  char- 
acteristics of  "modified  drift."  In  the  shafts  of  Colchester  the 
drift  clays  generally  range  from  thirty-five  to  forty  feet  in  thick- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  141 

ness,  and  consists  of  buff  or  brown  clays,  with  gravel  and  bould- 
ers, passing  downward  at  some  points  into  blue  clays,  or  "hard 
pan.*'  Boulders  of  metamorphic  rocks,  of  various  kinds,  and  of 
all  sizes  up  to  a  diameter  of  two  or  three  feet,  are  scattered  in 
considerable  numbers  in  all  the  gulches  and  streams  that  cut 
through  the  drift  beds,  and  are  most  abundant  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  drift  deposits.  2s"o  indication  of  the  presence  ot  an  ancient 
soil  underneath  either  the  loess  or  drift  was  seen  at  any  of  the 
points  visited  in  this  county  ;  nor  did  we  learn  that  it  had  been 
observed  by  any  one  else.  The  wells  are  seldom  sunk  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  drift,  and  hence  afford  no  indications  of  what  may  un- 
derlie the  boulder  clays.  At  Bushnell  a  boring  for  coal  passed 
through  112  feet  of  these  Quaternary  deposits  before  reaching  the 
bed  rocks,  in  the  following  order : 

No.  1  soil 2  feet 

No.  2  yellow  clay 12  « 

No.  3 'sand. . . . ." 2  « 

No.  4  blue  boulder  clay 61  " 

No.  5  blue  and  yellow  sand 35  " 

112 

This  is  probably  twice  as  much  as  the  average  thickness  of  the 
deposits  in  this  county — the  drill  having  evidently  penetrated  an 
old  valley,  where  from  sixty  to  seventy  feet  of  Coal  Measure  strata 
had  been  removed  by  erosion;  and  the  valley  thus  formed 
subsequently  filled  with  the  transported  material.  The  average 
thickness  of  the  drift  deposits  probably  does  not  exceed  fifty  feet. 

Coal  Measures. — All  the  uplands  in  the  county  are  underlaid  by 
the  Coal  Measures  except  a  limited  area  on  Crooked  creek,  in  the 
southwestern  corner  of  the  county,  embracing  nearly  the  whole  of 
township  4  north,  range  4  west,  (Lamoine)  and  the  south-western 
portion  of  township  5  north,  range  4  west,  (Tennessee).  The  beds 
composing  the  lower  portions  of  the  Coal  Measures,  as  they  are 
developed  in  this  county,  give  the  following  sections  : 

No.     1.     Sandstone  and  sandy  shales,  partly  ferruginous 20  to  30     fee  t 

No.     2.  Band  of  calcareous  shale,  with  lenticular  masses  of  dark  blue 

limestone,  containing  C  ardiomo-rpha  Missouriensis 2  to  3  " 

No.     3.     Coal  No.  3 2  to  3  " 

No.     4.     Sandy  shale  and  soft  sandstone 35  to  40  " 

No.     5.     Bluish  clay  shale,  filled  with  fossil  ferns %  to  2  " 

No.     6.     Coal  No.  2 2  to  2%  " 

No.     7.     Bituminous  fire  clay 2  " 

No.     8.     Gray  clay  shale 6  " 

No.     9.     Septaria  limestone 3  "• 

No.  10.     Variegated  shales,  purple,  yellow  and  blue 18  to  20  " 

No.  11.     Sandstone  passing  locally  into  shale 10  to  15  "• 

No.  12.     Coal  No.  1,  sometimes  replaced  with  slate  or  blue  shale 1  to  3  " 

No.  13.     Fire  clay,  sometimes  replaced  by  sandy  shale 2  to  3  " 

No.  14.     Quartzose  sandstone,  conglomerate 5  to  20  "• 


142  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

These  beds  have  a  maximum  thickness  of  about  150  feet,  and 
consequently  a  boring  anywhere  in  the  county,  carried  down  to  a 
depth  of  two  hundred  feet  from  the  surface,  would  pass  entirely 
through  the  coal  measures,  and  determine  the  amount  of  coal 
that  could  be  found  at  that  point.  No  coal  seam  is  worked  at  the 
present  time,  except  No.  2,  or  the  Colchester  coal;  and  it  seemed 
to  us  quite  probable  that  neither  1  nor  3  is  developed  in  the 
county  so  as  to  be  of  any  value  to  the  industrial  interests  of  its 
people.  In  the  vicinity  of  Colchester  the  limestone  and  calcare- 
ous shale  usually  found  above  coal  No.  3  out-crops  in  the  brakes 
of  the  ravines  west  of  the  town,  but  no  indications  of  the  presence 
of  coal  was  seen.  The  concretionary  or  lenticular  masses  of  dark 
blue  limestone  were  found  quite  abundant  here,  and  they  afforded 
Cardiomorpha,  Missourieusis  in  great  numbers,  associated  with 
Discina  nitida,  Productus  muricatus,  P.  Pratteniauus,  Pleuroto- 
maria  sphaerulata,  Aviculopecten  rectalaterarea,  two  or  three  spe- 
cies of  small  Goniatites,  fossil  wood,  and  the  spine  of  a  fish  Listra- 
canchus  h}rstrix.  We  also  obtained  from  one  of  these  limestone 
concretions,  associated  with  the  fossil  wood  above  mentioned,  a 
fossil  fruit,  shaped  somewhat  like  an  elongated  pecan  nut,  the  re- 
lations of  which  have  not  yet  been  determined.  These  limestone 
concretions  have  been  found  in  Fulton  and  Schuyler  counties 
overlaying  coal  No.  3,  and  affording  most  of  the  species  of  fossil 
shells  obtained  from  it  here ;  so  that  there  seems  scarcely  a  doubt 
but  that  it  here  represents  the  horizon  of  that  coal.  It  is  quite 
probable  that  in  the  eastern,  and  especially  in  the  southeastern 
portion  of  the  county,  coal  No.  3  may  be  found  sufficiently  devel- 
oped to  be  worked  to  advantage.  The  shale  and  sandstone  above 
this  coal,  No.  1  of  the  foregoing  section,  we  only  saw  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Colchester,  where  about  ten  feet  in  thickness  of  sandy, 
ferruginous  shales  overlay  the  limestone  concretion  above  men- 
tioned. No.  4  of  the  foregoing  section  is  well  exposed  on  the 
ravines  leading  into  the  east  fork  of  Crooked  Creek,  west  of  Col- 
chester, but  it  is  everywhere  a  sandy  shale,  with  some  thin  lay- 
ers of  sandstone,  but  affords  no  material  of  any  economical  value. 
The  calcareous  shale  associated  with  the  limestone  in  No.  2  of 
the  above  section  is,  at  some  points  near  Colchester,  quite  full  of 
small  fossil  shells,  among  which  the  Spirifer  plano-convexus  was 
the  most  abundant,  associated  with  S.  lineatus,  Chonetes  meso- 
loba,  Productus  muricatus,  Pleurotomaria,  Grayvilleusis,  a  small 
Macrocheilus,  and  fragments  of  a  Nautilus. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  143 

Xo.  5  of  the  above  section  torms  the  roof  of  the  Colchester  coal, 
and  is  a  true  clay  shale  at  the  bottom,  and  locally  quite  bitumin- 
ous, becoming  sandy  higher  up,  and  gradually  passes  into  the 
vsaudy  shales  of  Xo.  4.  It  contains  ironstone  concretions  similar 
to  those  at  Mazon  creek  and  Murphysboro,  though  usually  not  so 
perfectly  formed,  and  they  contain  fossil  ferns  of  the  same  species 
found  at  those  localities.  The  shales  also  are  filled  with  beautiful 
ferns,  in  a  remarkably  fine  state  of  preservation;  and  this  locality 
may  be  reckoned  as  one  among  the  best  in  the  State  for  collecting 
these  beautiful  relics  of  an  ancient  vegetable  world.  Two  speci- 
mens of  fossil  insects  and  two  or  three  species  of  shells  have  been 
found  associated  with  the  fossil  ferns  at  this  locality.  The  follow- 
ing list  comprises  all  the  species  of  fossil  plants  that  have  been 
identified  at  Colchester  to  the  present  time  :  Xeuropteris  hirsuta, 
X.  tenuifolia,  X.  rarinervis,  Alethopteris  aquilina,  Callipteris  Sul- 
livantii,  Pecopteris  squamosa,  P.  villosa,  P.  unita,  P.  plumosa,  P. 
chserophylloides,  Sphenopteris  irregularis,  S.  trifoliata,  Hymeno- 
phyllites  alatus,  II.  Spinosus,  H.  splendens,  H.  Gutbierianus,  H. 
thallyformis,  Cordaites  borassifolia,  C.  angustifolia,  Spenophyllum 
Schlotheimii,  S.  emarginatum,  S.  cornutum,  Annularia  longifolia, 
A.  sphenophylloides,  Asterophyllites  equisetiformus,  Calamites 
ramosus,  C.  approximates,  C.  undulatus,  Selaginites  uncinnatus, 
S.  carifolius,  Lepidodendron  diplotegioides,  L.  simplex,  L.  obova- 
tum,  L.  gracile,  Ulodendron  majus,  U.  ellipticum,  Lepidophloios 
obcordatum,  Lepidostrobus  princeps,  Lepidophyllum  auriculatum, 
Sigillaria  monostigma,  Stigmaria  ficoides,  S.  umbonata,  Pinnularia 
capillacea,  Caulopteris  obtecta,  C  acantophora,  Carpolithes  multi- 
striatus.  Owing  to  the  thinness  of  the  coal,  the  roof  shales  are 
removed  in  driving  the  entries  to  the  mines,  thus  affording  a  fine 
opportunity  for  collecting  the  many  beautiful  fossil  plants  that 
they  contain.  The  thickness  of  the  coal  at  this  locality  varies 
from  twenty-four  to  thirty  inches,  and  at  the  level  of  the  prairie 
it  lies  from  seventy-five  to  ninety  feet  below  the  surface.  On  all 
the  branches  west  of  Colchester  the  coal  out-crops,  and  is  worked 
by  tunneling  into  the  hillsides.  The  city  of  Quincy,  as  well  as 
most  of  the  small  towns  along  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  railroad  south  of  Bus tm ell,  have  for  many  years  derived 
their  supplies  of  coal  mainly  from  the  Colchester  mines. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Macomb  the  Colchester  coal  seam  has  not  yet 
been  found  of  sufficient  thickness  to  be  worked.  About  a  mile 
and  a  half  southwest  of  the  town  a  thin  coal  out-crops  above  the 


144  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

sandstone  quarries  of  Mr.  Stewart,  which  I  am  inclined  to  regard 
as  the  Colchester  seam,  though  it  is  here  only  about  one  foot  in 
thickness.  This  may,  however,  be  an  out-crop  of  the  lower  seam 
number  one,  but  from  the  appearance  of  the  sandstone  I  believe 
it  to  be  number  two,  thinned  out  here  to  about  one-half  its  usual 
thickness. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Colchester  a  very  good  sandstone  is  found 
below  the  coal,  and  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  thickness.  It  is 
number  eleven  of  the  foregoing  section.  This  I  believe  to  be  the 
equivalent  of  the  sandstone  at  Stewart's,  and  the  old  McLean 
quarries  near  Macomb.  A  section  of  the  beds  exposed  in  the 
vicinity  of  these  quarries  show  the  following  succession  of  strata  : 

Thin  coal 1  foot. 

Shaly  clay 2  feet. 

Thin-bedded  sandstone 1  to  6    " 

Massive  sandstone 10  to  12    " 

Bituminous  shale  (coal  No.  1) 4    " 

Carbonate  of  iron %    " 

Fire  clay %    " 

Bituminous  slate  or  shale %    " 

Shale 5    « 

The  horizon  of  coal  No.  1  is  here  occupied  by  Bituminous  shales 
and  a  six  inch  band  of  carbonate  of  iron.  In  the  vicinity  of  Col- 
chester, at  most  of  the  out-crops  we  examined,  the  same  horizon 
was  represented  by  dark  blue  shades  (No.  12  of  the  section  previ- 
ously given)  containing  nodules  of  iron  ore  inclosing  crystals  of 
zinc  blende.  On  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  24,  town  5 
north,  rangs  4  west,  (Tennessee)  the  following  beds  were  found 
exposed  in  connection  with  coal  Ko.  1  : 

Shaly  sandstone * 4  feet. 

Coal  No.  1...    2    « 

Fire  clay — not  exposed. 

Shaly  sandstone 16    " 

St.  Louis  limestone 6    " 

Although  we  did  not  find  this  lower  coal  developed  at  any  of  the 
exposures  examined  in  the  vicinity  of  Colchester,  yet  it  was  found  by 
Mr.  Horrocks  at  his  tile  and  fire-brick  kiln,  not  more  than  a  mile 
from  the  town,  and  was  struck  in  one  of  the  pits  sunk  for  fire- 
clay. It  was  found  to  be  about  a  foot  in  thickness  only,  and  was 
associated  with  an  excellent  fire-clay,  and  was  here  about  forty- 
five  feet  below  coal  No.  2.  Below  Horrock's  brick  and  tile  kilns 
on  the  same  stream  a  band  of  terruginous  sandstone,  or  rather  a 
sandy  iron  ore,  was  found,  about  six  inches  in  thickness,  filled 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  149 

with  fossil  shells,  among  which  a  large  Discina  was  the  most 
abundant,  associated  with  Hemipronites  erenistria,  Athyris  sub- 
tilita,  Spirifer  opimus,  S.  Kentuckensis,  and  some  other  undeter- 
mined species.  This  was  no  doubt  a  local  deposit,  and  probably 
represents  the  band  of  iron  ore  occurring  in  Schuyler  and  Fulton 
counties,  associated  with  coal  Xo.  1.  This  band  of  iron  ore  oc- 
curs just  at  the  junction  of  beds  numbered  13  and  14  of  the  gen- 
eral section  of  the  coal-bearing  strata,  on  a  preceding  page. 

On  section  24,  town  5  north,  range  4  west  [Tennessee],  south- 
west quarter  of  the  section,  a  coal  seam  was  opened  as  early  as 
1853,  when  we  first  visited  this  county,  on  land  then  owned  by 
Mr.  Lowry.  The  coal  was  from  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  in 
thickness,  overlaid  by  a  few  feet  of  shaly  sandstone.  Below  the  bed 
of  coal  there  was  about  sixteen  feet  of  sandstone  exposed,  and  a 
short  distance  up  the  creek  the  concretionary  limestone  is  exposed, 
underlying  the  sandstone.  This  I  have  no  doubt  is  the  lower  coal 
(Xo.  l),and  itwill.no  doubt  be  found  at  many  points  in  the  county 
ranging  from  one  to  three  feet  in  thickness. 

At  this  time  coal  was  also  dug  on  Mr.  Thompson's  place,  on  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  16,  town  4  north,  range  3  west 
[Bethel].  The  seam  at  this  point  was  thirty  inches  thick,  but  was 
only  exposed  in  the  bed  of  the  creek,  with  no  out-crop  of  the  as- 
sociated beds.  This  is  also,  without  doubt,  the  lower  seam,  as  the 
concretionary  member  of  the  St.  Louis  limestone  was  found  out- 
cropping on  the  creek  a  short  distance  below  where  the  coal  was 
found.  On  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  33,  town  4  north, 
range  3  west  [Bethel],  a  coal  seam  was  opened  and  worked  in 
1858  on  land  then  owned  by  Mr.  J.  Stoneking.  The  coal  was 
worked  by  "  stripping7'  in  the  bed  of  a  small  creek,  and  the  coal 
ranged  from  eighteen  to  twenty  inches  in  thickness,  and  was  over- 
aid  by  about  two  feet  of  gray  shale. 

These  two  lower  seams  also  out-crop  on  Job's  creek,  near 
Blandinsville,  and  have  been  worked  from  the  first  settlement  ot 
the  county.  They  out-crop  also  on  nearly  all  the  tributaries  on 
the  east  iork  of  Crooked  creek,  and  probably  underlie  at  least 
seven-eighths  of  the  entire  area  of  the  county.  They  seldom  at- 
tain a  thickness  of  three  feet,  however,  in  this  portion  of  the  State, 
but  they  are  nowhere  more  than  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  general  level  of  the 
prairie.  Xo.  3,  if  developed  anywhere  in  the  county,  will  prob- 
H— 10 


150 

ably  be  found  in  the  eastern  range  of  townships,  and  would  be  the 

first  seam  reached  in  sinking  a  shaft  or  boring  from  the  prairie  level. 

At  Bushnell,  a  boring  for  coal  at  the  steam  mill  passed  through 

the  following  beds,  as  represented  by  those  in  charge  of  the  work  : 

1.  Soil 2       feet. 

2.  Yellow  clay 12 

3.  Sand 2 

4.  Blue  clay  with  boulders 61  " 

5.  Blue  and  yellow  sand   . . 35 

6.  Sandstone 5  " 

7.  Clay  shale 1%  " 

8.  Black  shale %     " 

9.  Gray  shale 34  <> 

10.  Limestone 9         " 

11.  Shale 1         " 


163 

The  beds  numbered  1  to  5  inclusive  belong  to  the  drift,  and 
show  an  aggregate  thickness  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  feet,  in- 
dicating the  existence  of  an  old  valley  here,  in  which  the  Coal 
Measures  have  been  cut  away  down  to  a  point  below  the  horizon 
of  the  Colchester  coal,  and  which  was  subsequently  filled  with 
drift  deposits,  and  consequently  that  coal  which  should  have  been 
found  at  a  depth  of  fifty  to  seventy  feet  below  the  surface  at  this 
point,  was  not  met  with  at  all.  The  limestone  £To.  10  of  the 
above  sections  is  probably  the  bed  overlaying  the  Seaville  coal. 
The  extent  arid  direction  of  this  old  valley  we  have  no  data  for 
determining  at  the  present  time,  but  it  is  probably  a  lateral  arm 
of  the  Spoon  river  valley,  and  most  probably  trends  southeast- 
ward ly  into  the  valley  of  that  stream.  At  Prairie  City  a  boring 
was  carried  down  to  the  depth  of  222  feet,  passing  through  the 
following  beds,  as  reported  by  Mr.  T.  L.  Magee  : 

1.  Soil  and  drift  clays 36  feet. 

2.  Clay  shale  or  "  soapstone  " 16  " 

3.  Black  shale ^  « 

4.  Coal  No.  2 \%  « 

5.  Fire  clay 4  « 

6.  Shale  and  sandstone 12  " 

7.  Clay  shale 38  " 

8.  Hard  rock  (limestone) 11  « 

9.  Shale '. 4  « 

10.  White  flint , 1         <• 

11.  Shale 10         « 

11.     Coal  No.  1 3         <• 

13.  Fireclay 6%  " 

14.  Hard  rock 5  « 

15.  Clay  shale 8  <; 

16.  Sandstone 4  « 

17.  Dark  gray  shale 8  " 

18.  Clay  shale  (light  colored) .  14  « 

19.  Limestone  (St.  Louis  bed) 


222 


151 

In  the  foregoing  sections  the  beds  numbered  from  2  to  18 
inclusive  belong  to  the  Coal  Measures,  and  include  the  two  lower 
•coals.  Xo.  19  is  undoubtedly  the  St.  Louis  limestone  which  out- 
crops on  Spoon  river  just  below  Seaville,  about  eight  miles  east  of 
Prairie  City.  At  Lawrence's  mound,  at  an  elevation  considerably 
above  the  surface  where  the  above  boring  was  made,  a  coal  seam 
three  feet  in  thickness  was  found  in  digging  a  well,  which  was 
probably  Xo.  3,  occurring  here  as  an  outlier  left  by  the  denuding 
forces  which  swept  it  away  from  the  surrounding  region.  It  lay 
immediately  below  the  drift,  with  no  roof  but  gravel,  and  covered 
but  a  limited  area  of  ground. 

At  Macomb,  a  boring,  carried  to  the  depth  of  about  160  feet, 
iailed  to  find  any  coal  of  sufficient  thickness  to  be  of  any  econo- 
mical value.  From  these  experiments,  it  would  seem  that  the 
lower  coals  in  this  county  are  not  very  uniform  in  their  develop- 
ment, and  probably  neither  Xo.  1  nor  Xo.  3  will  be  found  over 
any  considerable  area  thick  enough  to  be  worked  to  advantage, 
while  Xo.  2  is  also  too  thin  to  be  worked  at  some  points, 
though  it  may  be  considered  the  most  persistent  and  reliable  seam 
to  be  found  in  this  county. 

St.  Louis  Limestone. — This  division  of  the  Lower  Carboniferous 
series  is  probably  nowhere  in  this  county  more  than  fifty  feet  in 
thickness,  and  consists,  first,  of  a  bed  of  light-gray  concretionary 
or  brecciated  limestone,  laying  immediately  below  the  lower 
sandstone  of  the  Coal  Measures ;  and  secondly,  of  a  magnesian 
limestone  and  some  blue  shales  or  calcareous  sandstones,  con- 
stituting what  is  sometimes  called  the  "  Warsaw  limestone.  " 
On  the  east  fork  of  Crooked  creek,  a  little  north  of  west  from 
Colchester,  the  following  sections  of  these  limestones  may  be  seen  : 

!No.  1  Brecciated  light-grey  limestone 5  to  20  feet. 

^so.  2  Calcareous  sandstone,  in  regular  beds 12    •• 

No.  3  Bluish  shale 3   4i 

The  magnesian  bed,  which  usually  forms  the  base  of  this  group, 
is  below  the  surface  here  and  generally  ranges  from  eight  to  ten 
feet  in  thickness.  The  brecciated  limestone  is  very  unevenly 
developed,  and  often  varies  in  thickness  in  a  short  distance  from 
five  to  twenty  feet  or  more.  It  rarely  affords  any  fossils  ex- 
cept the  common  corals  Lithostrotion,  canadense  and  L.  pro- 
liferum,  silicious  specimens  of  which  are  often  found  weathered 
out  along  the  creeks  where  this  limestone  out-crops.  Xo  fossils 
were  seen  in  the  calcareous  sandstone,  but  the  magnesian  lime- 


152  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

stone  that  out-crops  lower  down  on  the  creek,  and  underlies  the 
blue  shale  in  the  above  section,  usually  contains  a  variety  of  Bry- 
ozoans,  among  which  are  the  Archimides  Wortheni,  Polypora 
Varsoeiense,  Semicoscinium,  Keyserlingi,  etc. 

Keokuk  Limestone — This  is  the  lowest  rock  exposed  in  the  county, 
and  is  only  found  along  the  bluffs  of  Crooked  creek,  in  townships- 
4  and  5  range  4  west  (Lamoin  and  Tennessee).  The  upper  part 
of  this  formation  is  usually  a  bluish  calcareo  argillaceous  shale,, 
containing  silicious  geodes  either  filled  with  a  mass  of  crystaline 
quartz,  or  hollow  and  lined  within  quartz  crystals,  mammillary 
chalcedony,  calcite  and  dolomite.  Below  this  geode  bed  there  is- 
usually  from  thirty  to  forty  feet  6f  cherty  gray  limestone,  the 
layers  varying  in  thickness  from  a  few  inches  to  two  feet  or  morer 
and  separated  by  partings  of  shale.  The  limestone  beds  consist 
mainly  of  the  remains  of  organic  beings,  the  corals,  the  crinoidsr 
arid  niollusca  that  swarmed  in  countless  numbers  in  the  primeval 
ocean;  and  the  old  quarries  of  limestone  afford  a  rich  field  for  the 
student  wbo  desires  to  become  fully  acquainted  with  the  varied 
and  peculiar  organic  forms  of  this  period.  South  of  Colmar  the 
grade  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railroad  cuts  into  the  upper  part  ©f 
this  limestone  to  the  depth  of  several  feet,  and  from  the  material 
thrown  out  from  this  cut  we  obtained  many  specimens  of  the 
characteristic  fossils  of  this  limestone  in  an  excellent  state  of  pres- 
ervation. The  upper  layers  of  the  limestone  had  been  freely  ex- 
posed to  the  erosive  action  of  the  water  during  the  drift  period,, 
and  many  of  the  silicious  fossils  were  found  completely  weathered 
out  from  the  shaly  limestones,  and  in  a  most  perfect  state  of  pres- 
ervation. Among  the  fossils  found  at  this  locality  were  many 
specimens  of  Laphrentis  dalii,  Spirifer  Keokuk,  S.  lineatus,  S. 
sub-orbicularis,  Agaricocrinus,  Americanus,  Actinocrinus  bi-tur- 
binatus,  Cyathocrinus  stellatus,  Archimides,  Owenana,  Hemipro- 
nites  crenistria,  Phillipsia,  Portlockii,  several  species  of  fish  teeth,, 
etc.  The  lower  portion  of  this  limestone  is  usually  below  the 
level  of  the  creek  bottoms,  but  the  upper  portion  is  well  exposed 
on  the  main  creek  in  township  4  north,  range  4  west  (Lamoine),  and 
on  the  east  fork  in  township  5  north,  range  4  west  (Tennessee). 
In  the  region  south  of  Colmar  the  geodiferous  shales  and  the  St. 
Louis  limestone  have  all  been  removed  by  denudation  before  the 
depost  of  the  drift,  and  the  boulder  clays  now  rest  directly  upon 
the  upper  part  of  the  Keokuk  limestone.  A  complete  section  of 


153 

all  the  limestones  below  the  coal  measures  in  this  county  would 
show  the  following  order  of  succession  and  thickness  : 

Light  gray  brecciated  limestone 5  to  20  feet. 

Calcareous  sandstone 12    " 

Magnesian  limestone  and  shale 10  to  12    " 

Geodiferous  shales  of  the  Keokuk  bed 20  to  30    " 

Light  gray  cherty  limestone 30  to  40    « 

ECONOMICAL    GEOLOGY. 

Coal. — As  may  be  seen  from  a  perusal  of  the  foregoing  pages, 
a  large  portion  of  this  county  is  underlaid  with  coal,  and  although 
the  seams  that  are  found  here  are  much  thinner  than  some  of  those 
that  outcrop  in  Schuyler  and  Fulton  counties,  yet  they  have  not 
only  furnished  an  abundant  supply  of  coal  for  home  consumption, 
but  for  many  years  have  furnished  many  thousands  of  tons  annu- 
ally for  shipment  south  and  west  to  the  adjoining  counties.  The 
shipment  from  Colchester  alone  for  the  years  1866  and  '67  was 
about  500,000  tons  per  annum,  and  the  product  of  the  mines  have 
been  constantly  on  the  increase.  The  coal  obtained  here  is  of  an 
excellent  qu-ality,  if  taken  out  at  some  distance  from  the  outcrop, 
where  it  has  not  been  exposed  to  atmospheric  influences.  The 
•coal  is  tolerably  hard,  bright,  and  comparatively  free  from  pyrite, 
and  breaks  freely  into  cubic  blocks  when  mined. 

An  analysis  of  this  coal  by  Mr.  Henry  Pratten,  as  reported  in 
Dr.  Norwood's  "  Analysis  of  Illinois  Coals,"  gave  the  following 
results : 

Specific  gravity 1.290 

Loss  in  coking 41.2 

Total  weight  of  coke   58.8 

100.0 

ANALYSIS. 

Moisture 5.4 

Volatile  matters 35.8 

€arbon  in  coke 56.8 

Ashes  (light  gray) 2.0 


100.0 
Carbon  in  coal 60.10 

This  analysis  shows  this  to  be  one  of  the  best  coals  in  the  State, 
and  its  freedom  from  pyrite  has  always  made  it  a  favorite  coal 
with  blacksmiths  of  this  and  the  adjoining  counties.  The  coal 
from  the  lower  seam  is  usually  harder  than  that  from  the  Col- 
chester seam,  and  less  uniform  in  quality.  Its  thickness  is  also 
more  variable  and  frequently  the  coal  is  wanting  altogether,  and 


154  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

its  place  occupied  by  bituminous  shales.  Nevertheless,  it  some- 
times attains  a  thickness  of  three  feet,  as  at  Seaville,  in  Fulton 
county,  and  the  coal  obtained  there  is  of  a  fair  quality.  It  is 
quite  probable  that  this  seam  may  be  found  in  some  of  the  eastern 
townships  in  this  county  as  thick  as  it  is  at  Seaville,  and  if  so,  it 
might  be  worked  to  advantage,  as  its  depth  below  the  surface 
would  probably  nowhere  exceed  two  hundred  feet. 

No.  3,  if  found  at  all  in  this  county,  would  be  met  with  in  the 
uppermost  layers  of  the  bed  rock,  and  immediately  underneath 
the  boulder  clays,  except  at  a  few  points,  where  it  might  be  over- 
laid by  a  few  feet  of  sandstone  or  sandy  shale.  It  is  less  persist- 
ent in  its  development,  however,  than  either  of  those  below  it, 
but  its  proper  horizon  may  be  readily  recognized  by  the  dark  blue 
limestone  and  bituminous  shales  that  are  nearly  always  present,, 
even  when  there  is  no  development  of  the  coal  itself. 

A  boring  carried  down  to  the  depth  of  two  hundred  feet  would 
probably  pass  entirely  through  the  Coal  Measures  in  any  portion 
of  the  county,  and  in  the  western  part  the  subordinate  lime- 
stone would  be  reached  at  a  depth  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  or  less,  when  the  light  gray  brecciated  limestone  of  the  St. 
Louis  group  is  reached,  it  is  useless  to  bore  further  in  search  of 
coal,  and  this  limestone  is  so  decidedly  different  in  its  appearance 
from  any  of  the  limestones  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Coal  Meas- 
ures, that  an  expert  would  find  no  difficulty  in  identifying  it,  even 
by  the  smallest  fragments  taken  up  by  the  sand  pump.  Hence  it 
forms  a  reliable  guide,  both  where  it  out-crops  and  where  it  may 
be  reached  by  the  drill,  and  determines  the  point  below  which  na 
coal  can  be  found. 

fire- Clay. — The  fire-clay  under  the  Colchester  coal  has  been 
used  by  Mr.  Horrocks,  at  his  kiln  west  of  the  town,  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  drain  tile,  fire-brick,  etc.,  but  recently  he  has  obtained 
a  better  quality  of  fire-clay  by  sinking  a  shallow  shaft  down  to 
the  lower  or  No.  1  coal,  which,  at  his  kiln,  is  about  forty-five  feet 
below  the  Colchester  seam.  The  horizon  of  this  lower  coal  fur- 
nishes an  excellent  article  of  fire  and  potter's  clay  in  various  por- 
tions of  the  State,  and  it  may,  no  doubt,  be  found  at  many  points 
in  this  county,  besides  the  one  where  it  is  at  present  worked. 

Iron  Ore. — There  is  a  band  of  iron  ore,  very  generally  devel- 
oped in  connection  with  coal  No.  1,  and  indications  of  its  presence 
were  observed  at  several  points  in  this  county,  though  not  in  suf- 


loo 

ficient  quantity  to  justify  an  attempt  to  work  it  at  the  present 
time.  On  the  creek  below  Horrock's  brick  kiln  it  is  about 
six  inches  thick,  but  too  sandy  to  be  of  much  value,  even  if  the 
quantity  was  greater.  On  the  creek  west  of  Macomb,  a  band  of 
very  pure  iron  ore  occurs,  about  six  inches  thick,  and  it  is  quite 
probable  it  may  be  found  somewhere  in  the  county  of  sufficient 
thickness  to  be  of  some  economical  importance.  In  Schuyler 
county,  there  are  two  or  three  bands  of  ore  associated  with  the 
same  coal,  attaining  there  an  aggregate  thickness  of  about  two 
feet,  and  yielding  on  analysis  about  52  per  cent,  of  protoxide  of 
iron.  The  ore  is  an  argillaceous  carbonate  of  iron,  and  compares 
favorably  in  quality  with  the  best  Pennsylvania  ores. 

On  Mr.  D.  C.  Flint's  place  in  Mound  township,  a  deposit  of 
bog  iron  ore  of  good  quality  is  found,  whicb  is  reported  to  be  sev- 
eral feet  in  thickness,  but  the  area  covered  by  it  has  not  been  as- 
certained. Should  it  prove  sufficiently  extensive  and  pure  as  the 
sample  sent  to  my  office,  it  is  a  valuable  deposit. 

Building  Stone. — The  central  and  the  western  portions  of  the 
county  have  an  abundant  supply  of  free  stone  from  the  sandstone 
bed  intervening  between  coals  Xo.  1  and  2.  This  is  usually  from 
ten  to  twelve  feet  in  thickness,  the  upper  part  thin-bedded  and 
quarrying  out  in  thin,  even  slabs,  suitable  for  flags,  while  the 
lower  part  is  quite  massive,  and  splits  evenly.  At  Stewart's  quar- 
ries, two  miles  west  of  Macomb,  there  is  about  twelve  feet  in 
thickne&s  exposed  in  the  face  of  the  quarry.  The  rock  is  a  rath- 
er coarse  grained  sandstone,  nearly  white  in  color,  and  furnishes 
a  very  durable  material  for  foundation  walls,  and  is  also  easily  cut 
and  may  be  advantageously  used  for  all  ordinary  architectural 
purposes. 

At  these  quarries  the  rock  is  very  massive,  but  at  the  old  Mc- 
Lean quarries,  about  a  half  a  mile  to  the  westward  of  Stewart's, 
the  sandstone  is  more  regularly  bedded," the  layers  varying  from 
four  to  twelve  inches  or  more  in  thickness.  This  sandstone  is 
equivalent  of  that  on  the  T.,  P.  and  W.  Railroad  west  of  Seaville, 
in  Fulton  county,  and  is  very  simihir  in  quality.  Some  of  the 
beds  seem  to  be  sufficiently  even-textured  for  grindstones.  The 
magnesian  and  arenaceous  beds  of  the  St.  Louis  group  will  afford 
the  best  material  for  culverts  and  bridge  abutments  that  can  be 
found  in  the  State,  as  they  are  scarcely  at  all  affected  by  the  action 
of  frost  and  moisture.  The  gray  limestones  ot  the  Keokuk  series 


156  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

make  a  durable  building  stone  if  protected  from  water,  but  split 
to  fragments  on  exposure  to  ordinary  atmospheric  agencies.  The 
brecciated  limestone  will  make  an  excellent  macadamizing  mate- 
rial for  the  construction  of  turnpike  roads,  or  for  ballasting  our 
railroads. 

Limestone  for  Lime. — Good  limestone  for  burning  into  quick- 
lime may  be  obtained  from  the  lower  division  of  the  Keokuk, 
and  from  the  brecciated  bed  of  the  St.  Louis  group.  Where  the 
former  is  used,  it  should  be  selected  with  some  care,  as  a  portion 
of  the  beds  contain  too  large  a  per  cent,  of  argillaceous  or  silicious 
matter  to  slack  readily  when  burned,  and  would  yield  only  an 
inferior  quality  of  lime.  The  light  gray  semi-crystalline  layers 
are  the  best  for  this  purpose,  and  will  make  a  quicklime  of  good 
quality.  The  brecciated  limestone  is,  however,  in  many  respects 
the  best  rock  in  the  county  for  this  purpose,  as  it  is  usually  a 
nearly  pure  carbonate  of  lime  in  its  composition  and  can  be 
burned  at  less  expense,  and  makes  a  quicklime  of  superior  quality. 
This  limestone  may  be  found  on  most  of  the  tributaries  of  Crooked 
creek,  and  on  the  east  fork  as  far  north  as  the  vicinity  of 
Colchester. 

Sand  and  Clay  for  Brick. — The  sub-soil,  where  it  is  predicated 
upon  the  marly  beds  of  the  loess,  supplies  these  materials  in 
nearly  the  right  proportion  for  the  brick  yard ;  and  when  defi- 
cient in  sand,  this  may  be  easily  supplied  either  from  the  creek 
bottoms  or  sandy  beds  interstratitied  with  the  drift  clays.  These 
materials  are  so  universally  distributed  that  there  is  scarcely  a 
neighborhood  in  the  county  where  they  may  not  be  readily  found 
at  hand. 

Soil  and  Agriculture. — There  is  not  much  variety  in  the  general 
character  of  the  soils  in  this  county,  and  there  is  no  considerable 
portion  of  its  surface  that  will  not  bring  good  crops  of  the  various 
cereals  usually  cultivated  in  this  latitude,  without  other  stimulants 
than  those  contained  in  the  soil  itself.  The  prairie  soil  is  a  dark, 
chocolate-colored  loam,  appearing  nearly  black  when  wet,  and 
produces  excellent  crops  of  corn,  wheat,  oats,  barley  and  grass, 
and  where  a  proper  rotation  of  crops  has  been  the  rule,  no  per- 
ceptible decrease  in  the  annual  product  has  been  observed,  even 
on  lands  that  have  been  under  constant  cultivation  for  the  last 
twenty-five  or  thirty  years.  The  timbered  lands  are  generally 
confined  to  the  creek  valleys,  and  broken  ridges  adjacent  thereto. 


157 

The  soil  on  these  timbered  ridges  is  usually  thin,  but  they  are 
excellent  fruit  lands,  and  will  produce  fair  crops  of  wheat,  oats 
and  clsver,  but  they  require  manuring  if  subjected  to  long  con- 
tinued cultivation.  These  thin  soils  are  predicated  upon  the  boul- 
der clays,  and  the  timber  growth  is  mainly  black  and  white  oak 
and  hickory ;  and  their  uneven  surface  does  not  retain  the  vege- 
table and  animal  matters  that  are  annually  deposited  upon  them, 
but  on  the  contrary,  these  are  swept  away  by  the  annual  rains 
into  the  adjacent  valleys,  while  on  the  level  prairies  they  are  re- 
tained, and  add  from  year  to  year  their  fertilizing  properties  to 
the  soil.  The  bottomlands  on  Crooked  creek  are  very  limited  in 
extent,  and  are  mostly  subject  to  overflow.  They  afford  some 
fine  timber,  the  varieties  of  which  have  been  enumerated  on  a  pre- 
ceding page. 


158  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

TEMPERANCE. 

McDonough  county,  like  every  other  organized  territory,  has 
had  its  "  temperance  revivals,"  its  seasons  of  drunkenness  and 
seasons  of  sobriety.  As  stated  in  the  first  part  of  this  work,  one 
of  the  first  acts  of  our  Board  of  County  Commissioners  was  the 
licensing  of  taverns,  places  where  intoxicating  liquors  might  be 
sold.  Then,  everybody  drank ;  not  to  do  so,  was  to  set  yourself 
above  your  neighbor  and  become  his  judge,  a  state  of  things 
which  was  not  to  be  encouraged.  When  the  first  barrel  of  whisky 
was  brought  to  Macomb  there  were  but  two  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel residing  in  the  place,  and  both  got  " gloriously  drunk"  when 
it  was  tapped.  The  first  license  was  granted  to  a  preacher, 
and  for  years  this  class  took  their  toddy  along  with  other  folks. 
Notwithstanding  we  are  told  now  that  whisky  in  those  days  was 
very  pure,  it  made  a  surprising  number  of  drunkards,  and  when 
the  Washingtonian  movement  swept  over  the  country  it  is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  that  this  county  was  struck  by  a  huge  wave  and 
driven  along  with  the  tide. 

In  the  winter  of  1841-42,  two  gentlemen  from  Quincy,  Illinois, 
came  to  the  county  seat,  proclaiming  themselves  missionaries  of 
this  movement,  secured  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  lec- 
turing purposes.  On  the  first  evening  of  meeting  a  large  concourse 
of  people  assembled  to  hear  what  they  had  to  say,  as  they  seemed 
to  be  setters-forth  of  a  new  doctrine,  strange  to  their  ears.  A 
chairman  was  desired  for  the  occasion,  and  with  great  difficulty 
one  was  obtained,  and  he  only  on  the  promise  made  him  by  the 
speakers  that  they  would  not  urge  him  personally  to  sign  the 
pledge.  The  speakers  held  forth  to  a  wondering  audience,  keep- 
ing them  alternately  laughing  and  crying,  as  the  ludicrous  or 
sorrowful  side  of  the  drunkard's  life  was  portrayed.  At  the  con- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  159 

elusion  of  the  addresses,  those  who  desired  to  do  so  were  invited 
to  sign  the  pledge.  The  chairman  of  the  meeting  was  the  first  to 
affix  his  name  to  the  document,  followed  by  many  others,  some  of 
whom,  we  know,  have  been  consistent  temperance  men  ever  since. 

Open  temperance  organizations  were  wholly  adopted  for  carry- 
ing on  the  temperance  work  until  the  year  1848,  when  a  charter 
was  obtained  for  a  Division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  at  Ma- 
comb,  an  organization  which  at  that  time  was  being  extensively 
introduced  all  over  the  country.  This  was  a  secret  organization, 
composed  of  males  eighteen  years  old  and  upwards.  In  a  short 
time  this  organization  had  its  Divisions  all  over  the  county,  two 
very  strong  ones  existing  in  Macomb  at  the  same  time.  In  the 
latter  place,  in  conjunction  with  two  other  parties,  these  Divis- 
ions erected  what  at  that  time  was  regarded  as  a  very  fine  build- 
ing, on  the  south  side  of  the  square,  the  lower  part  to  be  used  as 
store  rooms,  and  the  upper  part  as  a  hall  for  the  meetings  of  the 
Divisions.  From  some  cause  the  Divisions  weakened  and  soon  sus- 
pended, their  hall  was  sold,  and  in  a  few  short  years  that  which 
was  erected  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  the  interests  of  temper- 
ance and  morality  was  converted  into  a  den  for  making  drunkards. 

When  the  Sons  of  Temperance  began  to  wane,  the  Good  Tem- 
plars sprang  into  existence,  and,  in  this  county  at  one  time,  we 
believe,  there  were  eighteen  or  twenty  lodges,  with  a  membership 
of  nearly  two  thousand.  This  order  differed  from  the  Sons  of 
Temperance  in  that  it  admitted  both  men  and  women,  receiving 
as  members  all  above  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  A  good  work  was 
accomplished  by  them,  the  effects  ot  which  will  last  throughout 
eternity. 

Other  organizations  have  existed  at  times,  both  open  and  secret, 
each  working  with  some  effect  in  its  peculiar  field  of  labor.  Con- 
nected with  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  the  Daughters  of  Tem- 
perance, designed  for  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  Sons ;  also 
the  Cadets  of  Temperance,  for  youths.  The  Temple  of  Honor 
also  flourished  for  awhile.  This  was  an  organization  combining 
the  benevolent  features  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masons,  with 
temperance  as  a  cardinal  virtue.  The  Good  Templars  for  awhile 
had  under  their  control  a  very  effective  juvenile  organization, 
called  the  Cold  Water  Templars,  which  instilled  temperance  prin- 
ciples in  the  minds  of  many  children,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  as 
lasting  as  eternity.  Various  other  temperance  organizations  have 


160  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

existed  at  different  times  and  in  different  places,  each  endeavoring 
to  accomplish  a  special  work. 

In  1854  the  temperance  men  ran  a  candidate  for  member  of 
the  Legislature,  Hon.  L.  H.  Waters,  who  was  elected  by  a  small 
majority.  This,  we  believe,  is  the  only  instance  where  a  candi- 
date was  ever  put  forward  by  temperance  men  for  a  general  office. 
For  a  number  of  years  past,  in  our  cities  and  towns,  the  temper- 
ance men  have  either  put  forward  recognized  temperance  men  fov 
the  local  offices,  and  voted  for  them  as  such,  or  have  been  content 
to  vote  direct  upon  the  question  of  license  or  no  license,  allowing 
the  political  parties  of  the  day  to  nominate  such  men  as  they 
chose,  while  pledging  them  to  carry  out  the  will  of  the  people  as 
expressed  at  the  ballot  box. 

Although  intemperance  exists  among  us  to  an  ordinary  extent, 
in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  country,  we  know  it  has  greatly 
decreased  within  the  last  thirty  years.  We  do  not  believe  that, 
according  to  population,  there  are  one-fourth  as  many  drunkards 
in  our  midst  as  there  were  at  an  early  day.  This  leads  us  further 
to  declare  we  do  not  believe  the  efforts  put  forth  by  temperance 
people  have  been  a  failure  in  times  past.  That  organizations  have 
lived  and  flourished  for  awhile  and  then  gone  down,  prove  no- 
thing. All  these  organizations  are  but  human  instrumentalities, 
and  are  brought  forth  by  the  necessities  of  the  hour.  Their  de- 
sign is  to  accomplish  a  certain  purpose  apparent  at  the  time.  It 
is  not  to  be  expected  that  they  will  be  as  enduring  as  the  hills,  or 
like  the  church,  so  strong  that  "the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  them."  If  they  shall  accomplish  a  good  work  for  the 
time  being,  well  and  good.  If  it  is  found  there  is  a  radical  defect 
in  their  organizations  necessitating  change,  let  it  be  made,  and  let 
let  us  not  imagine,  because  they  are  defective  and  have  not  accom- 
plished all  the  good  their  most  sanguine  supporters  anticipated, 
that  nothing  has  been  done.  All  over  the  country  can  be  found 
sober,  honest,  and  good  men,  who,  but  for  the  efforts  put  forth  by 
the  members  of  some  temperance  organization  that  has  ceased  to 
exist,  would  now  fill  a  drunkard's  grave.  Then,  we  would  bid 
God-speed  to  every  effort  of  temperance  men  and  women,  know- 
ing that  as  temperance  increases  our  country  will  become  more 
and  more  prosperous. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  161 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
1857-1860. 

A  called  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  was  held  May  11, 
1857,  and  continued  in  session  three  days.  This  was  the  first  meeting 
ever  held  by  the  Board.  John  Price,  of  Eldorado,  was  elected 
Chairman  pro  fern.,  after  which  Jonathan  H.  Baker  was  elected 
permanent  Chairman.  Rules  were  adopted  for  the  government  of 
the  Board,  and  business  at  once  proceeded  with.  The  following 
named  persons  responded  to  their  names  :  John  Price,  Eldorado  ; 
James  H,  Epperson,  Xew  Salem  ;  Samuel  H.  McCandless, Mound; 
Alonzo  L.  Kimher,  Prairie  City ;  Joel  Pennington,  Industry ; 
Isaac  P.  Monfort,  Scotland ;  Jonathan  H.  Baker,  Spring  Creek  ; 
D.  I.  Dungan,  Walnut  Grove  ;  James  H.  Dunsworth,  Eagle  Town ; 
Isaac  McCowan,  Erin  Town  ;  William  Heath,  Sciota ;  James  Ma- 
guire,  Macomb  ;  John  S.  Holliday,  Lamoine ;  Stephen  A.  White, 
Tennessee  ;  Ebenezer  N.  Hicks,  Rock  Creek ;  William  W.  Moss, 
Blandinsville.  George  A.  Taylor,  Sheriff,  and  Isaac  Grantham, 
Clerk,  were  also  present. 

For  several  years  previous  to  this  time  our  county  had  enjoyed  a 
season  of  unexampled  prosperity.  Emigration  had  poured  in,  and 
in  less  than  five  years  we  had  more  than  doubled  our  population. 
The  speculative  fever  raged  high,  and  real  estate  advanced  in  a 
marvelous  degree. 

Land  which,  before  the  railroad  was  projected,  would  not  bring 
the  government  price,  §1.25  per  acre,  now  ranged  from  §10  to  §30, 
and  that,  too,  without  improvements  of  any  kind.  Town  lots 
which  before  went  begging  at  from  §25  to  §50,  readily  sold. at 
from  §200  to  §500.  Laborers  were  in  great  demand,  buildings 
were  erected  by  the  hundred,  and  all  seemed  on  the  high  road  to 
wealth.  In  the  year  1856  William  H.  Randolph  &  Co.  opened  a 


162  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

banking  and  exchange  office  in  Macomb,  and  in  an  evil  hour  took 
stock  to  the  amount  of  $20,000  in  what  afterwards  proved  to  be  a 
wild  cat  bank  of  the  worst  species.  The  county  was  flooded  with 
the  issues  of  this  bank,  though  not  all  being  of  the  series  assumed 
by  Messrs.  Randolph  &  Co.  The  name  of  this  institution  was 
the  Nemaha  Valley  Bank,  having  a  large  number  of  stockholders 
throughout  the  county.  Its  plan  of  doing  business  was  substan- 
tially as  follows :  Its  stock  was  divided  into  a  certain  number  of 
shares  and  sold  to  parties  desiring  them,  the  purchaser  being  en- 
titled to  a  certain  amount  of  the  bills  of  the  bank  in  proportion 
to  the  number  of  shares  held.  The  bills  held  by  each  contribu- 
ting purchaser  constituted  a  series  for  which  he  was  only  to  be 
held  responsible,  each  redeeming  the  series  assigned  to  himself. 
Arrangements  were  entered  into  by  the  holders  of  the  different 
series  to  redeem  the  notes  of  each  other  when  presented  for  pay- 
ment, and  sending  them  in  for  redemption.  This  arrangement 
served  to  strengthen  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  their  sta- 
bility. 

This  county  was  also  flooded  with  the  notes  of  the  Platte  Val- 
ley Bank,  another  institution  of  the  same  wild  cat  species.  When 
the  crash  in  1858  came  the  notes  of  these  banks  were  at  once  pre- 
sented to  the  different  depositories  for  redemption.  Messrs.  Ran- 
dolph &  Co.,  though  having  out  but  $20,000,  continued  to  redeem 
until  they  had  paid  out  over  $25,000,  and,  then  becoming  satisfied 
that  they  would  never  be  enabled  to  obtain  anything  from  McCoy, 
the  owner  of  the  Nemaha  Valley  Bank,  they  were  forced  to  sus- 
pend. Mr.  Randolph's  loss,  we  are  reliably  informed,  was  not 
less  than  $100,000  directly,  and  as  much  more  indirectly,  in  con- 
sequences of  the  sacrifices  he  was  compelled  to  make. 

The  failure  of  Messrs.  Randolph  &  Co.,  in  connection  with  the 
panic  throughout  the  whole  country,  operated  heavily  against  the 
interests  of  this  county.  Nearly  all  public  and  private  improve- 
ments were  suspended  ;  mechanics  and  laboring  men  were  thrown 
out  of  employment ;  real  estate  depreciated  in  value,  and  mortga- 
ges given  for  securing  payment  on  land  were  foreclosed,  and  the 
sufferings  of  the  people  were  very  general.  Notwithstanding  all 
this,  they  soon  rallied,  and  an  era  of  prosperity  began  again. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors,  at  its  first  session,  placed  the  license 
for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  at  $300  per  annum.  Petition 
after  petition  was  sent  in  during  the  year,  and  an  effort  was 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  163 

made  by  some  of  the  Board  to  reduce  the  amount.  Like  the  un- 
fortunate woman  with  the  unjust  judge,  they  continued  to  plead 
until  the  patience  of  the  members  gave  way  and  the  license  was 
made  S50. 

On  account  of  the  large  amount  of  repairs  necessary  to  be 
made  on  the  poor  farm,  an  order  was  made  at  the  September  term 
of  the  Board  to  sell  it,  provided  it  could  be  sold  for  not  less  than 
S30  per  acre.  Eighty  and  one-third  acres  were  afterward  sold 
at  this  price. 

A  clause  in  the  charter  of  the  city  ot  Macomb,  relieving  it  from 
taxation  for  county  purposes,  has  always  been  a  source  ef  great 
trouble  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  The  following  is  the  pro- 
vision of  the  charter  in  question  : 

The  county  of  McDonough  shall  be  exempt  from  the  support  of  any  citizen  of  said 
city  who  may  become  a  pauper,  but  the  City  Council  shall  provide  for  the  support  and 
care  of  all  paupers  belonging  to  said  city  and  pass  such  ordinances  and  regulations  as 
they  shall  deem  proper  for  the  purpose  thereof.  The  City  Council  shall  also  provide  for 
the  payment  of  all  costs  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  McDonough  county  for  the  conviction 
of  any  citizen  of  said  city  for  any  criminal  offense,  and  the  prosecuting  attorney's  fees 
and  jailor's  fees,  in  case  the  same  cannot  be  collected  from  the  offenders.  Or  the  City 
Council  may  provide  for  the  payment  to  the  county  of  McDonough,  annually,  of  su«h 
sums  as  will  be  a  fair  proportion  of  the  expenses  of  the  county  foi  the  Circuit  Court  of 
said  county — the  amount  to  be  fixed  by  the  City  Council  and  the  County  Court  of  said 
county,  and  to  be  apportioned  equitably  and  justly.  In  the  consideration  of  the  sup- 
port of  paupers  and  the  payment  of  the  expenses  and  costs  aforesaid,  all  the  real  estate 
within  said  city  and  all  the  personal  property  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  city  shall  be 
exempt  from  all  taxes  for  county  purposes,  except  for  paying  the  interest  and  finally  the 
principal  of  the  bonds  of  McDonough  county,  issued  or  hereafter  to  be  issued  as  subscrip- 
tions for  railroad  stocks  :  prodded,  that,  upon  the  final  payment  of  any  such  bonds,  the 
said  city  shall  be  entitled  to  a  pr<>  rnta  amount  of  the  stock  for  which  they  were  given 
with  said  county,  according  to  the  amount  paid  therefor  by  said  city. 

In  one  way  or  another,  at  nearly  every  meeting  of  the  Board, 
questions  would  arise  with  reference  to  this  matter.  The  Board 
finally  asked  the  State  Legislature  to  repeal  this  clause  of  the  city 
charter,  which  was  accordingly  done. 

By  the  contract  with  the  Northern  Cross  rail  road,  the  bonds  and 
coupons  given  in  aid  of  the  said  road,  were  made  payable  in  Xew 
York.  At  the  September  term.  1859,  of  the  Board  of  Supervi- 
sqrs,  it  was  ordered  that  the  coupons,  due  the  following  January, 
should  be  paid  as  usual.  At  the  December  term  this  order  was 
rescinded,  in  consequence  of  a  decision  having  been  rendered  by 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  declaring  that  cities  and  counties 
have  no  right  to  make  bonds  issued  in  aid  of  railroads  payable  in 
the  city  of  Xew  York,  (See  22  111.  R.,  pp.  147),  and  that  counties 


164  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

and  cities,  by  such  decision,  are  not  legally  bound  on  contracts  to 
pay  moneys  anywhere  else  than  at  the  city  or  county  treasury. 
Contracts  made  to  pay  such  indebtedness  elsewhere  than  at  said 
treasury  are  void,  as  the  statutes  of  the  State  of  Illinois  do  not 
authorize  cities  and  counties  to  make  a  contract  payable  at  any 
other  place  than  at  their  treasury.  (See  22  111.  R.,'pp.  147-156.) 

In  March,  1860,  in  the  Supreme  Court,  or  the  United  States 
District  Court,  suit  was  commenced  by  Van  Hoffman  et  al.  against 
the  county.  At  the  June  term  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  Hon. 
James  M.  Campbell  was  authorized  to  employ  counsel,  and,  in  the 
name  of  the  county,  to  defend  this  suit.  Mr.  Campbell  employed 
Messrs.  Goudy  &  Waite,  of  Chicago,  to  take  charge  of  the  case. 
Before  a  trial  was  had  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  in  a  trial 
between  Johnson  vs.  Stark  County,  in  a  great  measure  overruled 
and  revised  the  above  decision.  On  learning  this,  Messrs.  Goudy 
&  Waite  advised  Mr.  Campbell  to  pay  the  judgment  which  would 
be  rendered  against  the  county  in  the  case,  and  it  was  accordingly 
done.  We  cannot  help  but  disapprove  the  action  of  our  Board  of 
Supervisors  in  this  case.  We  think  they  did  wrong  in  attempt- 
ing to  shirk  the  payment  of  a  just  debt  in  the  manner  called  for  in 
the  contract.  It  may  be  offered  in  extenuation  that  the  directors 
of  the  railroad  had  defrauded  the  county  out  of  the  stock 
taken  by  it,  but  this  would  first  have  to  be  proven  before  it  could 
be  made  to  appear  as  a  justification. 

At  the  December  (1860)  meeting  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Hendricks, 
ot  Macomb,  offered  the  following  resolution,  which,  on  motion, 
was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  County  of  McDonough,  Illinois, 
respectfully  recommend  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State, 
at  its  next  session,  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the  relief  of  the  tax-payers  of  the  State. 
That  the  Clerk  of  this  Board  be  directed  to  forward  copies  of  this  resolution  to  our  mem- 
bers of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 

Everything  then  was  at  a  low  price;  mechanics  and  laboring 
men  were  out  of  employment ;  gold  and  silver  was  at  a  premium, 
and  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in.  obtaining  enough  to  pay 
taxes.  In  view  of  this  fact,  Mr.  Hendricks,  at  the  same  session, 
offered  the  following  resolution  : 

WHEREAS,  Pending  the  crisis  of  affairs  in  this  county,  the  low  prices  of  products  of 
the  farmers,  and  want  of  employment  for  the  mechanics  and  laborers,  the  citizens  and 
tax-payers  labor  under  great  disadvantage  in  procuring  gold  and  rsilver  to  pay  their 
taxes  ;  therefore, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  165 

.  That  the  County  Treasurer.  Township  Treasurer,  and  Town  Collector  be.  and 
they  are  hereby,  requested  to  receive  in  payment  of  the  county  revenues,  town,  school, 
and  road  tax  the  bankable  currency  of  the  banks  of  this  State,  which  are  recognized  as 
having  fully  complied  with  the  laws  of  Illinois,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  State  Auditor  : 
and  that  the  collectors  of  towns  above  alluded  to  be  required  to  pay  over  to  the  county 
treasury  every  week  the  collections  each  may  have  made  in  currency. 

The  resolution  was  not  adopted,  but  in  lieu  thereof  the  follow- 
ing : 

Resolced,  That  the  several  Town.  Collectors  and  the  County  Treasurer  be.  and  they  are 
hereby,  requested  to  receive  from  and  after  January  28, 1861,  in  pay  for  county,  school  and 
town  taxes,  until  the  fifteenth  day  of  March  next,  the  notes  of  all  solvent  banks  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  the  stockholders  and  officers  of  which  have  fully  complied  with  the  laws 
of  this  State :  and  said  Town  Collectors  are  hereby  requested  to  pay  over  weekly  to  the 
County  Treasurer  all  such  sums  as  they  may  collect  as  aforesaid. 

In  1858  there  was  a  great  fall  of  rain,  and  the  rivers  and  streams 
of  the  west  were  higher  than  ever  before  known,  save  in  1844. 
Crooked  creek  swelled  to  the  proportion  of  a  good  sized  river. 
June  3,  of  this  year,  William  H.  Franklin,  of  Macomb,  while  re- 
turning home  from  Missouri  on  horseback,  came  to  this  stream 
near  the  Horace  Head  farm,  west  of  town,  and  hardly  knew 
whether  to  cross  or  not,  but  deciding  to  make  the  attempt  he 
urged  his  horse  into  the  water,  hoping  to  strike  on  the  bridge. 
Unfortunately  he  missed  it,  and  went  down  into  the  water.  His 
horse  turned  to  go  back,  but  the  stone  abutment  at  the  end  of  the 
bridge  rose  perpendicular  upon  either  side,  making  this  impossi- 
ble. He  then  resolved  to  sink  his  horse  and  swim  for  life.  After 
swimming  a  short  distance  he  reached  some  brush  to  which  he 
clung  for  a  moment  or  two,  when,  observing  a  huge  drift  of  wood 
being  swept  toward  him,  he  let  go  and  struck  out  for  a  tree,  the 
branches  of  which  he  observed  above  the  water.  Having  on  two 
coats  and  a  pair  of  heavy  boots  he  could  scarcely  swim  at  all,  but 
managed  to  reach  the  point  which  he  was  endeavoring  to  make. 
Climbing  the  branches  of  the  tree  as  far  as  possible,  he 
still  found  himself  in  the  water.  Thinking  he  would  never  be 
able  to  reach  the  shore,  he  commenced  hallooing  as  loud 
as  possible,  when  his  cries  attracted  the  attention  of  a  young  son 
of  Jesse  AValker,  who  came  down  to  the  bank  and  answered  his 
call.  Mr.  F.  told  him  to  go  at  once  for  his  father,  when  he  was  in- 
formed he  was  in  town  ;  but  the  boy  started  for  him.  Meeting 
his  father,  the  boy  related  the  circumstances,  when  they  both  re- 
turned hurriedly  to  the  stream.  Mr.  F.,  seeing  the  two  could  do 

H— 11 


166  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

nothing  for  him,  told  them  to  go  to  town  and  get  six  or  eight 
hundred  feet  of  rope  and  more  help.  About  ten  o'clock  at  night 
a  large  crowd  from  Macomb  gathered  on  the  bank  and  endeavored 
to  cheer  the  almost  drowning  man  with  the  assurance  that  they 
would  soon  rescue  him.  The  current  of  the  stream  being  so  swift 
it  was  found  impossible  to  reach  him  with  the  rope,  when  B.  F. 
Martin  and  Orsamus  Walker  hurried  back  to  town  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  boat,  while  Andy  Lewis,  Benjamin  Nayloranda  man 
named  Bromfield,  went  up  the  stream  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile,  made  a  raft  and  floated  down.  Bromfield  fell  oft  the  raft 
and  was  swept  down  the  stream,  but  was  rescued.  The  effort  to 
reach  the  man  with  the  raft  proving  fruitless,  nothing  could  be 
done  until  the  arrival  of  the  boat,  which  arrived  at  about  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning.  Having  been  in  the  water  for  some  ten 
hours,  it  was  with  difficulty  Mr.  F.  could  get  in  the  boat  which 
was  rowed  out  to  meet  him.  He  has  no  desire  to  meet  with  an- 
other like  experience.  The  horse,  after  making  several  attempts, 
finally  reached  the  shore  some  distance  down  the  stream. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  167 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    WAR — AT    HOME. 

We  now  come  to  the  year  1861, the  first  year  of  the  great  rebel- 
lion, and  we  note  with  pride  the  history  of  McDonough  during  the 
stirring  events  of  the  succeeding  four  years.  True  there  are  some 
things  we  wish  might  be  forever  blotted  from  the  book  of  remem- 
brance, but  such  cannot  be  the  case,  and  it  becomes  our  duty,  as 
a  faithful  historian,  to  record  the  facts  as  they  occurred,  trusting 
the  time  is  past  when  bitter  feelings  will  be  engendered  by  recall- 
ing the  scenes  of  those  "days  that  tried  men's  souls." 

Politically,  McDonough  county  has  ever  been  close,  neither  one 
of  the  great  parties,  at  any  time  being  able,  with  confidence,  to 
claim  it  as  its  own.  Settled,  as  we  have  before  stated,  principally 
by  emigrants  from  the  Southern  States,  it  could  hardly  be  other- 
wise than  that  the  sympathies  of  many  would  be  with  the  South, 
and  that  ill-feeling  would  exist  towards  the  Abolitionists.  But 
notwithstanding  all  this,  there  beat  within  their  breast  a  patriotism 
that  made  them  forget  mere  party  feelings  and  sectional  lines  in 
their  greater  love  for  the  Union.  Every  star  and  every  stripe 
in  the  old  flag  they  loved  with  a  devotion  which  afterwards  ex- 
hibited itself  on  many  a  battle  field. 

Many  of  our  best  and  most  patriotic  citizens  endeavored,  by  all 
the  means  within  their  power,  to  prevent  the  election  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  to  the  Presidential  chair,  believing  it  would  endanger  the 
Union.  Others,  equally  true,  worked  hard  for  his  election,  be- 
lieving it  impossible  that  it  should  afford  any  pretext  for  the  se- 
cession of  the  Southern  States.  When  the  dark  war  clouds  began 
to  spread  over  our  country,  each  and  every  one  hoped,  even 
against  hope,  that  they  would  soon  pass  away,  and  that  peace  and 
prosperity  would  continue  to  reign.  But  such  was  not  to  be  the 
•case.  On  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  1861,  the  rebels,  who  for  weeks 


168  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

had  been  erecting  their  batteries  upon  the  shore,  after  demanding 
of  Major  Anderson  a  surrender,  opened  fire  upon  Fort  Sumpter. 
For  hours  an  incessant  cannonading  was  continued;  the  fort  was 
being  injured  severely ;  provisions  were  almost  gone,  and  Major 
jLnderson  was  compelled  to  haul  down  the  old  flag — that  flag 
which  had  seldom  been  lowered  to  a  foreign  foe,  by  rebel  hands 
it  was  now  trailed  in  the  dust !  0,  how  the  blood  of  patriotic  men 
in  the  North  boiled  when  they  learned  of  the  outrage  !  And  no- 
where was  greater  indignation  manifested  than  in  McDonough 
county.  Partisan  feeling  that  had  heretofore  existed  was  now 
swept  away,  and  in  the  language  of  the  immortal  Douglas,  but 
two  parties  could  exist — patriots  and  traitors. 

When  the  President  issued  his  call  for  75,000  men,  McDonough 
county  responded  without  delay ;  and  when  the  call,  but  a  few 
days  afterward,  was  made  for  300,000  more,  others  were  ready  to 
go  forth  in  defense  of  their  country.  Meetings  were  held  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  county,  participated  in  by  Democrats  and  Repub- 
licans, now  only  to  be  known  as  patriots,  and  resolutions  were 
adopted  setting  forth  in  the  strongest  terms  undying  devotion  to 
the  Union.  As  showing  the  feeling  existing  at  the  time,  we  give 
the  following:  At  Macomb,  April  17,  1861,  a  large  and  enthusi- 
astic meeting  was  held,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  Nelson 
Abbott,  Charles  Chandler,  A.  K.  Lowry,  W.  E.  Withrow,  John 
Knappenberger  and  Carter  Van  Vleck,  was  appointed  to  prepare 
resolutions  expressing  the  sense  of  the  meeting.  This  committee 
consisted  of  three  Democrats  and  three  Republicans.  They  re- 
ported as  follows  : 

WHEBEAS,  War  against  the  government  of  the  United  States  has  been  commenced  by 
the  authorities  of  the  so-called  Confederate  States,  by  assailing  and  reducing  Fort  Sump- 
ter, a  fortress  garrisoned  and  defended  by  United  States  soldiers,  and  under  the  sacred 
protection  of  the  national  flag  ;  and, 

WHEBEAS,  The  president  of  the  United  States  has  issued  his  proclamation  reciting 
that  "the  laws  of  the  United  States  have  been  and  are  opposed  in  several  states  by 
combinations  too  powerful  to  be  suppressed  in  the  ordinary  way,"  and  calling  for  volun- 
teers to  suppress  said  combination  and  execute  the  laws  ;  be  it 

Resolvedly  the  citizens  of  McDonough  county,  without  distinction  of  party,  in  mass 
meeting  assembled,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  loyal  and  patriotic  citizens,  at  whatever  cost 
of  blood  and  treasure,  to  sustain  and  support  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  United 
States  in  their  lawful  efforts  to  preserve  the  Union,  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  consti- 
tution and  the  supremacy  of  all  the  laws,  and  protect  the  federal  capital  and  sustain  the 
honor  of  our  national  flag. 

Resolved,  That,  while  we  would  be  glad  to  see  such  legislation  adopted  by  the  federal 
and  state  governments  as  would,  if  possible,  bring  about  an  honorable  reconciliation 
between  the  citizens  of  the  several  states,  yet  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  our  Legislature  about 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  169 

to  assemble  to  pass  such  laws  as  will  render  the  general  government  speedy  and  efficient 
aid  in  all  its  lawful  endeavors  to  carry  out  the  objects  indicated  in  the  foregoing  reso- 
lution. 

Resolved,  That  the  stars  and  stripes  are  the  emblems  of  our  country's  liberties  and 
honors,  and  wheresoever  floating  it  is  the  duty  of  every  American  citizen  to  yield  to  that 
flag  unconditional  allegiance  and  undying  devotion. 

At  Colchester,  April  19th,  at  a  public  meeting,  they  reported  as 
follows  : 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  citizens  of  Colchester  and  vicinity,  have  no  ill-feeling  toward 
any  political  party,  and  say,  with  the  immortal  Clay,  that  we  know  no  North — no  South — 
no  East — no  West ;  we  know  only  the  welfare  of  our  country. 

Resolved,  That,  in  view  of  our  present  crisis,  we  pledge  our  support  to  the  administra- 
tion for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  government,  the  constitution,  and  the  Union.  In 
doing  so  we  show  them  we  are  not  degenerated  sons  of  '76. 

At  Foster's  Point,  on  the  evening1  of  the  twenty-seventh  of 
April,  the  citizens  assembled  and  adopted  the  following  : 

WHEBEAS,  The  government  of  these  United  States  has  been  assailed — the  flag  of  our 
country  fired  upon  and  dishonored — our  country  is  severely  threatened  with  destruction  ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we.  without  respect  to  party,  declare  our  undying  devotion  to  the 
Union,  the  constitution,  and  the  enforcement  of  the  laws. 

Resole ed,  That  we  know  no  government  but  our  government,  no  country  but  our  coun- 
try, and  no  flag  but  the  stars  and  stripes  of  our  honored  sires. 

Other  meetings  were  held  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and 
equally  strong  resolutions  were  passed.  The  people  were  thor- 
oughly aroused.  Ahout  the  twentieth  of  April  a  company  num- 
bering one  hundred  and  eight  was  formed  at  Macomb,  and  the 
following  officers  elected:  V.  Y.  Ralston,  Captain;  B.  F.  Pinck- 
ley,  First  Lieutenant;  H.  M.  Bartholomew,  Second  Lieutenant. 
As  the  names  of  the  company  are  given  elsewhere,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary that  we  should  repeat.  D.  P.  Wells  had  another  company 
ready,  when  the  two  together  left  Macomb  for  Springfield,  the 
place  of  rendezvous.  They  were  escorted  to  the  depot  by  about 
one  thousand  persons,  and  many  were  the  tears  shed  and  the 
hearty  "God  bless  you !"  given  over  the  departure  of  loved  ones. 
But  there  was  not  one  of  all  that  number  who  would  have  had 
any  one  of  the  departing  boys  turn  back.  Samuel  Wilson,  of 
Middletown,  with  another  company,  joined  the  two  from  Macomb 
at  Colchester,  and,  together,  the  three  proceeded  to  Springfield, 
from  which  place  they  were  forwarded  to  Quincy,  where  the  work 
of  organizing  the  regiment  was  completed, 

For  four  long  years,  the  organization  of  new  companies  and  en- 
listment of  men  for  old  companies  whose  ranks  had  been  deci- 
mated by  disease  and  rebel  bullets,  was  carried  on.  Gray -headed 


170 

men,  who  had  almost  reached  three-score  years  and  ten,  and  boys 
not  yet  out  of  their  teens,  went  to  the  camp,  and  through  the  most 
urgent  solicitation,  were  accepted  and  sworn  into  the  service. 
Neither  age  nor  youth  kept  them  backhand  when  rejected  from 
either  cause,  or  from  physical  inability,  would  insist  on  being  re- 
ceived, believing  themselves  as  capable  of  doing  a  soldier's  duty 
as  thousands  who  had  already  gone.  Three  thousand  of  as 
brave  men  as  ever  handled  a  musket  or  drew  a  sword,  went  out 
from  this  county,  many,  very  many,  never  to  return.  If  you  go- 
with  me  to  the  battle-fields  of  the  South,  we  shall  see  how  there 
fell  at  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Mission  Ridge,  Lookout  Mountain,  Chat- 
tanooga, Chickamauga,  Atlanta,Yicksburg,  and  other  places,  those 
who  were  the  pride  of  fond  fathers,  loving  mothers,  and  unselfishr 
devoted  wives.  We  shall  see  them  dropping  off,  one  by  one,  and 
often,  without  coffin  or  burial  shroud,  thrown  into  the  cold 
ground,  there  to  await  the  resurrection  morn,  and  the  re-union 
upon  the  other  side  of  the  River  of  Death.  In  many  a  home 
throughout  the  county  we  tind  the  vacant  chair,  and  witness  the 
mournful  look  of  those  ever  watching  for  one  that  cometh  not. 
Upon  our  streets,  day  by  day,  we  meet  those  wearing  sleeveless 
garments,  or  walking  in  a  way  that  tells  too  plainly  that  the  sound 
of  the  footfall  is  not  made  by  flesh  and  blood.  Inquire  the  reason, 
and  we  shall  probably  learn  that  while  charging  the  enemies  lines 
at  Yicksburg,  Shiloh,  or  elsewhere,  a  cannon  ball  deprived  them  of 
a  limb.  But  no  word  of  complaint  do  we  hear  ;  the  only  regret 
expressed  being*  that  it  was  not  possible  to  do  more  for  their 
country. 

While  they  were  away  upon  the  tented  field,  the  patriotic  men 
and  women  at  home  were  not  idle.  Although  impossible  to  get 
the  county  to  do  anything  in  an  official  way  for  the  relief  of  sol- 
diers' families,  many,  as  private  citizens,  thought  it  not  only  a  duty 
but  a  blessed  privilege  to  render  all  the  aid  in  their  power.  Dur- 
ing the  entire  four  years  of  war,  we  think  but  little  actual  suffer- 
ing was  experienced  by  any  at  home  on  account  of  the  absence  of 
their  natural  protectors,  who  were  serving  their  country.  Fairs 
and  festivals  were  held  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  sanitary  sup- 
plies for  those  in  the  field,  and  Soldiers'  Aid  Societies  were  con- 
tinually investigating  and  relieving  the  wants  of  the  needy  at 
home. 

Occasionally  word  would  be  received  of  the  gallant  conduct 
upon  the  battle  field  of  some  company  from  this  county,  and  al- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  171 

though  hearts  were  made  sad  by  the  fact  that  the  blood  of 
many  had  been  shed,  yet  all  rejoiced  that  none  failed  to  perform 
their  duty.  At  the  battle  of  Shiloh  the  28th  regiment  distin- 
guished itself  greatly,  and  the  ranks  of  Co.  I)  were  decimated 
by  the  shot  and  shell  of  the  enemy,  but  still  they  faltered  not. 
At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held  thereafter, 
Hon.  James  M.  Campbell  introduced  -the  following  resolution, 
which,  on  motion,  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  James  M.  Wallin,  Esq.,  the  Chairman  of  this  Board,  be  requested  to 
procure  and  present  to  Capt.  G.  L.  Farwell,  for  his  company  D,  28th  regiment,  Illinois 
Volunteers,  a  national  flag  as  a  token  of  merit  for  distinguished  patriotism  in  the  battle 
of  Shiloh,  on  the  sixth  and  seventh  of  April  last,  on  behalf  of  McDonough  County,  Illi- 
nois. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  of  May,  1863,  Hon.  B.  R.  Hampton  pre- 
sented the  following  preamble  and  resolution  to  the  Board,  which, 
on  motion  of  J.  P.  Updegraff,  was  adopted  : 

WHEREAS.  There  has  been  a  number  of  battles  recently  fought  by  General  Grant's 
division  of  the  army,  between  Jackson  and  Vicksburg  ;  and, 

WHEBEAS,  Many  of  the  citizens  of  McDonough  county  are  soldiers  in  that  division  ; 
and, 

WHEBEAS,  The  Sanitary  Commission  of  Chicago  have  called  upon  the  people  of  the 
State  of  Illinois  for  aid  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  at  Vicksburg  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  make  an  appropriation  of  one  hundred  dollars  out  of  any  county 
funds  not  otherwise  appropriated,  for  the  benefit  of  said  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and 
the  clerk  is  hereby  directed  to  issue  a  county  order  for  that  amount,  and  send  the  money 
to  the  Chicago  Sanitary  Commission. 

During  this  year  our  armies  met  with  a  number  of  reverses,  and 
doubts  arose  in  the  minds  of  many  as  to  the  power  of  the  govern- 
ment to  put  down  the  rebellion.  Organizations  were  formed 
throughout  the  Xorth  of  men  who  favored  an  instant  cessation  of 
hostilities,  the  withdrawal  of  our  troops  from  southern  soil,  and  a 
compromise  with  the  rebels.  The  organization  was  regarded 
as  treasonable  by  the  administration,  and  many  of  the  leaders  of 
the  movement  were  arrested  without  regular  warrant  and  incarcer- 
ated in  various  prisons,  while  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  was  sus- 
pended. A  great  hue  and  cry  was  raised  because  of  this  fact ;  the 
government  was  denounced  as  tyrannical,  and  a  forcible  resistance 
was  seriously  advocated.  A  large  number  in  McDonough  county 
joined  in  the  movement  with  the  opposition,  and  party  strife  again 
ran  high.  Friends  of  long  standing  became  enemies,  and  threats 
of  personal  damage  were  made  upon  both  sides.  Recruiting  for 
the  army  was  well  nigh  suspended,  and  the  Union  cause  seemed 


172  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

very  dark.  'At  this  juncture,  B.  K.  Hampton  introduced  the 
following  resolution,  and  asked  its  adoption  by  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors at  their  session  in  May,  1863  : 

WHEREAS,  Our  nation  is  now  involved  in  civil  war,  brought  about  by  the  acts  of  de- 
signing and  unscrupulous  men  who  seek  to  destroy  the  best  government  ever  instituted 
upon  the  earth  by  man  ;  and  believing  it  to  be  the  duty  of  all  public  bodies,  assembled 
for  the  purpose  of  transaction  of  public  business,  to  throw  their  influence,  whether  it  be 
much  or  little,  on  the  side  of  the  government  and  for  the  maintenance  of  its  power  and 
authority  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  although  some  of  us  may  differ  with  the  administration  in  relation  to 
some  of  its  war  policy,  yet  we  are  anxious  to  see  the  rebels  subdued  and  forced  to  sub- 
mit to  the  regularly  constituted  authorities  of  the  United  States  ;  and  further,  that  we 
are  opposed  to  any  and  all  propositions  for  a  compromise,  come  from  what  source  they 
may,  short  of  an  unconditional  surrender  of  the  rebels  to  the  government. 

Resolved,  That  we  utterly  condemn  all  sympathizers  with  the  rebellion,  wherever 
found,  as  also  that  spirit  of  fault-finding  which  is  so  rife  among  us. 

On  motion,  the  subject  of  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  were 
laid  upon  the  table,  and  afterward  being  taken  therefrom,  after 
slight  amendment  by  Mr.  Hampton,  and  considerable  discussion 
ensuing,  Supervisor  Reid  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute  for 
those  of  Mr.  Hampton  : 

Resolved,  That  McDonough  county  has  been,  is  now,  and  will  forever  remain  devotedly 
attached  to  the  federal  government  of  the  United  States,  under  the  constitution  which 
creates  that  government  and  defines  its  powers. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  in  favor  of  destroying  the  rebellion,  and  sanction  any  legitimate 
means  for  the  accomplishment  of  that  purpose,  either  through  an  honorable  compromise 
of  difficulties  or  a  convention  of  all  the  States  for  arranging  terms  of  mutual  inter- 
course, leaving  to  every  State  the  right  to  regulate  their  domestic  affairs  in  their  own 
way,  subject  only  to  the  constitution. 

Resolved,  That  we  sincerely  regret  that  the  President  has  not  moved  with  the  whole 
power  of  the  army  placed  in  his  hands  by  a  confiding  but  betrayed  people,  upon  the  ene- 
my's works,  but  instead  thereof  has  made  war  upon  unarmed  and  patriotic  citizens  of 
the  North,  whose  only  "crime"  has  been  devotion  to  the  constitution  and  best  interests 
of  the  country. 

Resolced,  That  we  view  with  just  alarm  the  repeated  usurpations  of  power  by  the 
President  and  his  military  officers,  in  the  arbitrary  arrests  and  imprisoment  of  peace- 
able citizens  ;  in  their  mock  trial  and  imprisonment ;  in  the  attempt  to  overawe  peaceful 
meetings  of  the  people  called  "  to  petition  the  government  for  redress  of  grievances  ;  " 
in  the  arbitrary  suspension  of  the  habeas  corpus;  in  the  substitution  of  the  will  or 
whim  of  an  irresponsible  officer  for  the  written  law  ;  that  if  these  and  other  kindred 
usurpations  are  not  rebuked  and  counteracted  by  the  friends  of  law  and  order,  then  in- 
deed is  a  military  despotism  established  over  us,  our  constitution  destroyed,  and  a  new 
government  destructive  of  our  liberties  inaugurated  in  the  place  of  the  fundamental  law 
bequeathed  to  us  by  our  fathers. 

Resolved,  That  we  call  upon  this  government  to  return  to  true  and  faithful  allegiance 
to  the  Constitution,  and  to  employ  the  remaining  period  of  their  short  term  of  power  in 
honest  endeavors  to  restore  the  country  to  the  condition  of  peace,  prosperity  and  growth 
which  distinguished  our  country  before  the  advent  of  a  sectional  organization  to  power. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  173 

Resolved,  That  the  profligate  squandering  of  the  public  money  by  the  officers  under 
the  control  of  President  Lincoln  is  without  a  parallel  for  recklessness  and  infamy  in  the 
history  of  any  civilized  nation  ;  in  the  language  of  John  P.  Hale,  we  solemnly  •*  believe 
and  declare  that  the  liberties  of  this  country  are  in  greater  danger  tc-day  from  the 
corruption  and  profligacy  practiced  in  the  various  departments  of  this  administration 
than  they  are  from  the  open  enemy  in  the  field." 

Resolved,  That  we  request  our  Representative  in  Congress,  the  Hon.  Lewis  W.  Ross,  to 
use  his  best  exertions  to  secure  the  repeal  of  the  conscription  bill,  the  indemnity  bill,  and 
all  other  oppressive  and  partisan  enactments  of  the  late  Congress ;  also,  to  oppose  all 
measures  looking  toward  a  recognition  of  the  independence  of  the  Southern  Confede- 
racy. 

Rfx»lc<  <L  That  in  the  language  of  Governor  Seymour,  '•  Having  given  the  administra- 
tion a  generous  support  in  the  war,  we  pause  to  see  what  kind  of  a  government  it  is  for 
which  we  are  asked  to  pour  out  our  blood  and  our  treasures,  and  demand  to  know 
whether  the  war  is  waged  to  put  down  rebellion  at  the  South,  or  destroy  free  institutions 
at  the  North." 

Pending  the  question  of  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  Super- 
visor Porter  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute  therefor,  to-wit : 

Resolved.  That  we.  as  a  Board  of  Supervisors,  whatever  shades  of  difference  of  opinion 
there  may  be  among  us.  we  are  united  in  this,  a  firm  and  unshaken  determination  to 
stand  upon  the  Federal  Constitution — standing  upon  this  broad  basis,  we  are  opposed  to 
secession,  and  to  suppress  it,  we  are  in  favor  of  the  use  of  the  means  guaranteed  to  us  by 
a  wise  and  benignant  government,  arms,  amnesty,  redress  of  grievances,  an  honorable 
compromise  on  all  subjects  of  controversy  :  in  short,  by  the  use  of  all  means  that  become 
a  wise  and  Christian  nation. 
ResoUed.  That  upon  this  basis  shall  we  stand  till  the  "  trump  of  peace  shall  sound." 

The  resolutions  of  Mr.  Porter  were  rejected,  and  those  of  Mr. 
Reid  adopted. 

As  we  have  before  remarked,  enlistments  for  the  army  were 
slow  at  this  time,  and  in  order  to  encourage  volunteers,  Hon.  B. 
R.  Hampton,  at  the  December  meeting  (1863)  of  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors, offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  rejected  by 
the  Board : 

Resolved.  That  in  addition  to  the  bounties  offered  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States  for  recruits,  we  offer  a  county  bounty  of  fifty  dollars  to  each  man  who  is  the  head 
of  a  family,  and  twenty-five  dollars  to  each  single  or  unmarried  man  who  shall  hereafter 
enlist  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States. 

The  call  of  the  government  became  more  urgent,  and  as  the 
quota  of  the  county  was  not  full,  drafting  was  resorted  to.  "We 
may  here  state  that  had  McDonough  county  received  credit  for 
all  who  had  gone  from  her  midst,  no  draft  would  have  ever  been 
ordered  here  ;  but  many,  in  order  to  receive  the  large  bounty 
offered  by  other  counties,  went  there  for  the  purpose  of  enlist- 
ment. Hon.  William  II.  Randolph,  some  time  previous  to  this,  re- 


174  HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY. 

ceived  the  appointment  of  Deputy  U.  S.  Marshall,  and  upon  him 
devolved  the  enforcement  of  the  laws.  It  was  in  this  duty  that 
he  met  his  death. 

The  United  States  government  was  now  terribly  in  earnest — 
men  must  be  had.  A  large  bounty  was  offered,  but  still  not 
enough  to  tempt  many  to  leave  the  comforts  of  home  to  endure 
the  toils  and  privations  of  a  soldier's  life.  Those  who  were  for- 
merly opposed  to  the  giving  of  a  bounty  by  the  county  for  vol- 
unteers, now  became  clamorous  for  it  to  be  done  at  once.  On  the 
fourteenth  day  of  December,  1864,  "W.  H.  Green,  Esq.,  offered 
the  following  preamble  and  resolution  which  was  adopted  by  the 
Board  of  Supervisors : 

WHEBEAS,  It  has  become  necessary  for  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  draft 
men  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing  the  rebellion 
in  the  Southern  States  ;  and, 

WHEBEAS,  The  government  of  the  United  States  does  not  pay  a  sufficient  bounty  to 
obtain  volunteers  for  said  service  ;  now,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  county  of  McDonough  request  William 
H.  Neece,  the  Representative  of  this  county  in  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  to  have 
such  law  or  laws  passed  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Legislature  as  will  empower  the 
B:>ard  of  Supervisors  of  this  county  to  levy  a  tax  sufficient  to  enable  the  county  to  offer 
bounties  to  persons  enlisting  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  and  to  enable 
drafted  men  to  procure  substitutes  when  drafted  into  said  service. 

This  was  accordingly  done,  and  Mr.  Keece,  in  due  time,  intro- 
duced a  bill  before  the  Legislature  in  accordance  with  the  provis- 
ions of  the  above  request.  The  bill  became  a  law,  receiving  the 
signature  of  the  Governor.  Monday,  February  6th,  1865,  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  were  called  together  to  take  action  on  this 
law.  A  dispatch  was  forwarded  to  Mr.  Neece  inquiring  into  the 
provisions  of  the  bill,  which  answer  being  satisfactory,  Supervi- 
or  McSperitt  offered  the  following  resolutions,  and  moved  their 
adoption,  viz : 

Resolved  ly  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  McDonoityli  county,  That  the  sum  of  three 
hundred  dollars  be,  and  the  same  is,  hereby  appropriated  to  each  and  every  volunteer 
that  may  have  been,  or  shall  be,  enlisted  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  to 
fill  the  quota  of  McDonough  county  under  the  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  made  in  December,  1864,  for  300,000  men  to  fill  the  army  :  provided,  that 
this  appropriation  shall  be  allowed  to  no  person  who  shall  be  credited  to  any  other 
county,  city  or  State,  and  to  no  person  who  shall  volunteer  or  present  a  representative  substi- 
tute from  any  township  after  its  quota  under  the  present  call  shall  have  been  filled.  Also, 
that  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars  be,  and  the  same  is,  hereby  appropriated  to  each 
person,  a  resident  of  this  county,  who  shall  be  drafted  under  the  present  call,  to  furnish 
a  substitute  or  enter  the  service  himself :  provided,  further,  that  where  townships  or 
parts  of  townships  have  already  furnished  volunteers  under  the  present  call,  by  clubs  or 
townships,  and  have  paid  the  men  so  furnished,  then  such  clubs,  townships,  or  parts  of 


175 

townships,  shall  have  the  right  to  their  respective  shares  of  this  appropriation,  instead  of 
I  the  men  so  paid  and  in  the  service,  to  be  paid  to  such  person  or  persons  as  the  club  or 
township  may  designate  ;  to  be  divided  pro  -rntfi  among  all  persons  contributing  to 
such  club  or  township  fund  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  contribution  :  proi'idefl. 
also,  that  no  inhabitant  of  the  city  of  Macomb  shall  be  entitled  to  any  part  of  this 
appropriation  unless  the  tax  to  pay  the  same  shall  have  been  levied  upon  the  property  of 
said  city,  as  well  as  the  property  of  said  county. 

For  the  payment  of  the  above  appropriations  the  Clerk  of  the  County  Court  of  Mc- 
Donough  county  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  draw  his  order  on  the  Treasurer  of 
this  county  for  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars,  payable  in  one  year,  and  drawing  six 
per  cent,  interest  from  date,  in  favor  of  each  and  every  person  volunteering,  and  cred- 
ited to  the  several  townships  and  wards  of  said  county,  or  their  respective  orders  ;  and 
also  to  each  and  every  drafted  man  (after  he  shall  have  been  accepted),  or  his  order,  so 
far  as  the  same  may  be  necessary  to  fill  the  quota  of  said  county  :  provided,  that  any 
order  for  said  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars  may  be  made  in  amounts  of  fifty  dollars,  if 
required  by  the  person  entitled  thereto.  The  certificate  of  the  Provost  Marshall  of  this 
district,  as  to  the  names  of  the  persons  volunteering  or 'having  been  drafted,  and  as  to 
the  quotas  of  the  different  townships  or  wards  of  this  county,  shall  be  sufficient  evidence 
to  the  Clerk  to  authorize  him  to  act  under  the  present  appropriation. 

Various  substitutes  were  offered  for  the  foregoing  resolutions. 
Among  others  Supervisor  Provine  offered  one  embodying  the  fol- 
lowing objections  :  First,  that  it  would  be  unequal  and  unjust  for 
those  that  have  sons,  or  that  have  sent  sons  under  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  Second,  that  it  is  the  duty  and  the  privilege  of 
every  able-bodied  man  to  respond  to  the  call  of  his  country  in 
defense  of  his  civil  and  religious  liberties.  Third,  that  the  mak- 
ing of  such  appropriation  would  involve  the  county  in  such  a 
debt  as  would  result  in  bankruptcy  and  ruin. 

Previous  to  a  vote  upon  the  question  the  privilege  was  given  to 
Col.  L.  II.  Waters,  Judge  J.  S.  Bailey  and  James  M.  Campbell  to- 
present  their  views.  All  the  various  substitutes  were  voted  down 
and  the  original  resolutions  of  Mr.  McSperitt  were  adopted. 
Mr.  Hamilton  afterwards  (at  March  term,  same  year)  endeavored 
to  have  passed  a  resolution  exempting  from  taxation  under  the 
levy  to  raise  money  for  the  payment  of  the  bounties  certain  classes,, 
as  follows :  First,  those  who  have  been  themselves  in  the  service 
during  the  present  war.  Second,  those  who  may  be  widows- 
or  orphans  of  soldiers  who  have  served  in  the  present  war. 
Third,  those  who  have  hired  substitutes  in  the  present  war  previ- 
ous to  the  present  call.  Those  from  whose  families  minors  have 
gone  out  as  soldiers  during  the  present  war.  The  resolution  of 
Mr.  H.  was  voted  down. 

By  reference  to  a  report  made  by  the  County  Clerk  to  the  Ad- 
jutant General  of  the  State,  we  learn  that  t^ere  was  expended  by 
the  county  as  bounty  money  the  sum  of  $131,400.  In  addition 


176  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

to  this  Mound  township  expended  $5,860  ;  Prairie  City,  $18,049.39; 
New  Salem,  $6,£66.50  ;  a  total  for  the  county  of  §161,575.85. 

On  the  first  day  of  November,  1864,  occurred  the  most  terrible 
tragedy  recorded  in  the  annals  of  McDonougli  county.  In  July 
of  this  year  the  President,  of  the  United  States  issued  his  procla- 
mation for  an  additional  number  of  men  for  the  United  States 
service;  and  further  ordered  that  if  the  call  was  not  complied 
writh  by  volunteers  within  fifty  days  from  date  of  said  call, 
drafting  should  be  resorted  to.  Each  State  in  the  Union  was  di- 
vided into  districts  and  sub-districts,  and  to  each  was  assigned 
their  just  quota.  A  record  of  all  enlistments  heretofore  made  had 
been  kept  and  each  district  properly  credited  with  all  volunteers 
reporting  therefrom.  McDonougli  county  was  in  the  Ninth  Dis- 
trict, Capt.  B.  F.  Westlake,  of  Mt.  Sterling,  Brown  county,  Pro- 
vost Marshal.  On  the  fifteenth  day  of  June,  1863,  "William  H.  Ran- 
dolph, of  the  city  of  Macomb,  received  the  appointment  of  Depu- 
ty Provost  Marshal,  and  was*  re-appointed  Sept.  28,  1864,  commis- 
sion to  date  from  Sept.  15,  1864.  About  this  time  notice  was 
given  to  the  various  sub-districts  in  the  county  that  upon  the  sixth 
day  of  October,  the  draft  for  the  townships  of  Eldorado,  Emmet, 
Hire,  Sciota,  Industry,  Bethel,  Larnoine,  Chalmers,  Scotland, 
Mound,  Walnut  Grove  and  New  Salem,  would  take  place  at  Mt. 
Sterling,  and  requested  that  committees  should  be  appointed  from 
each  township  to  attend  the  drawing  to  see  that  it  was  fairly  con- 
ducted. According  to  notice,  the  draft  took  place  and  a  list  of 
•drafted  men  immediately  forwarded  to  Captain  Randolph.  Upon 
that  list  appeared  the  name  of  John  Bond,  of  Hire  township.  Mr. 
Bond  was  duly  notified,  and  failing  to  report  according  to  the 
statute  made  and  provided,  was  considered  a  deserter,  and  it  be- 
came the  duty  of  Captain  Randolph  to  arrest  him  as  such.  Ac- 
cordingly on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  November,  1864,  he 
proceeded  to  Blandinsville  for  that  purpose,  arriving  there  a  lit- 
tle before  daylight.  About  sunrise,  he  met  Bond  in  the  saloon 
of  Chris.  Sappiugton,  and  told  him  he  had  come  for  him,  and 
asked  him  to  go  peaceably  with  him  to  Mt.  Sterling.  This  Bond 
refused  to  do,  stating  that  he  would  not  go  and  fight  for  the  niggers, 
:and  that  the  quota  of  his  township  was  full,  and  it  was  unnecessary. 
Mr.  Randolph  told  him  he  must  go.  Bond  went  out  of  the  sa- 
loon, followed  by  Randolph,  going  over  to  the  hotel  of  his  broth- 
er James.  Here  they  were  met  by  Miles,  another  brother  of 
John,  who  said  to  him,  "Your  horse  is  ready  ;  it  is  time  to  take 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  1,7 

a  ride/'  Mr.  R.  then  placed  his  hand  upon  John's  shoulder  and 
told  him  he  was  his  prisoner.  Upon  this,  Bond  drew  his  pis- 
tol, fired  at  Randolph,  and  then  ran.  Mr.  R.  returned  the  tire, 
and  followed  him  out  the  door,  where  they  were  again  met  by 
Miles,  who  also  fired  at  him.  Randolph  then  turned,  and  the 
Bond  brothers  jumped  on  their  horses  and  fled  the  country.  Ran- 
dolph was  shot  in  four  places,  two  mortal  wounds  being  inflicted. 
He  was  taken  to  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Hudson,  where  he  died  in 
about  eighteen  hours  after  being  shot.  Drs.  Emery  and  Durant, 
of  Blandinsville,  and  Jordan,  of  Macomb,  were  called  in,  and  all 
that  could  be  done  for  his  relief  was  attended  to,  but  all  in  vain. 
Coroner  Sullivan  held  an  inquest  on  the  remains  on  the  third  inst.? 
the  jury  returning  a  verdict  that  he  came  to  his  death  at  the 
hands  of  John  Bond  and  Miles  Bond,  aided  by  James  Bond  ancf  Ty- 
ler Ray,  and  that  the  act  was  without  sufficient  justification.  The 
next  day,  the  fourth,  the  remains  were  brought  to  Macomb,  and 
interred  in  Oakwood  cemetery,  being  followed  to  the  grave  by 
a  large  procession  of  sincerely  mourning  relatives  and  friends. 

At  the  death  of  Mr.  Randolph  the  citizens  of  the  county  offered 
a  reward  of  $5,205  for  the  arrest  of  the  four  accomplices  in  the 
murder,  viz :  John  Bond,  Miles  Bond,  James  Bond,  and  Atilla 
Ray.  Of  this  amount  Mrs.  Randolph  was  to  give  the  sum  of 
$2,000.  At  the  March  term  (1865)  following  of  the  Circuit 
Court,  the  grand  jury  found  a  bill  of  indictment  against  the  four 
above-named  persons  implicated  by  the  coroner's  jury.  The  in- 
dictment against  Ray,  we  believe,  was  afterwards  quashed. 

As  remarked,  after  having  shot  Captain  Randolph,  the  Bonds 
fled  the  country,  and  the  attempt  made  to  capture  them  at  the 
time  was  unsuccessful.  Nothing  reliable  as  to  their  whereabouts 
was  learned  by  the  public  for  several  years.  Frank  E.  Fowlerr 
of  Macomb,  now  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  then  in  the  employ  of  the 
government  as  United  States  detective,  determined,  if  possible, 
to  effect  their  capture.  In  response  to  a  card,  we  received  the 
following  account  of  the  capture  of  Miles  Bond,  from  Mr.  Fowler  : 

"  On  Saturday,  June  13,  1868,  I  arrested  Miles  W.  Bond,  near 
the  town  of  Sonora,  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  for  the  murder  of 
Deputy  Provost  Marshal  William  H.  Randolph,  on  the  first  day 
of  November,  1864.  I  had  been  on  the  track  of  Bond  about 
three  years,  but  when  about  ready  to  capture  him  i  he  wasn't 
there.' 


178  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

"  Some  three  weeks  before  the  arrest  I  located  Bond  at  the 
above  mentioned  place,  and  proceeded  to  arrange  for  making  his 
arrest,  which  had  to  be  done  very  cautiously,  as  he  had  many  rel- 
atives and  friends  watching  my  every  movement.  So  I  gave  out 
in  your  neighborhood  that  I  was  going  to  Massachusetts  to  visit 
relatives.  The  next  you  heard  was  a  telegraphic  dispatch  from 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  that  the  arrest  had  been  made. 

u  On  arriving  at  Louisville,  Bond  being  a  desperate  man,  I 
secured  the  co-operation  of  an  officer,  and  together  we  proceeded 
to  the  place  of  capture.  Bond  had  just  left  his  house  and  was 
crossing  the  road,  at  about  live  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  we 
came  upon,  and  immediately  seized  him  and  clasped  the  irons 
upon  him,  without  giving  him  any  time  to  make  the  least  resist- 
ance. He  was  immediately  hurried  off,  and  arrived  in  Macomb 
Tuesday  morning,  June  16, 1868,  just  three  years  four  months  and 
fourteen  days  from  the  day  of  the  murder. 

Since  the  murder,  Bond  had  been  wandering  all  over  the  coun- 
try, his  occupation  being  that  of  farmer,  barber,  miller,  carpenter, 
etc.  He  took  his  arrest  as  coolly  as  could  be  expected.  At  first 
he  had  not  much  to  say,  but  before  arriving  at  Macomb  he  became 
quite  talkative,  giving  all  the  information  in  regard  to  his  life 
since  he  left  the  county.  He  had  been  living  under  the  name  of 
Samuel  S.  Walker.  Shortly  after  arresting  him  I  called  him  by 
the  name  of  Miles,  his  given  name,  and  he  remarked  to  me, — 
''That  is  the  first  time  in  over  three  years  that  anybody  has  called 
me  by  that  name.'  Very  respectfully, 

"FRANK  E.  FOWLER." 

At  the  October  term,  1868,  the  case  of  Miles  W.  Bond  was  call- 
ed, and,  on  motion  of  his  attorneys,  a  change  of  venue  was  taken 
to  Schuyler  county,  and  his  trial  had  at  the  May  term  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  of  that  county.  L.  W.  James,  prosecuting  attorney, 
assisted  by  P.  G.  Tunnicliff,  C.  F.  Wheat,  L.  H.  Waters  and  J. 
C.  Bagby,  conducted  the  prosecution,  while  S.  C.  Judd,  S.  P. 
Shope,  W.  H.  Neece,  Robert  Walker  and  Henry  Metz  appeared 
for  the  defense.  A  number  of  witnesses  were  examined  on  both 
sides,  and  the  case  ably  argued  by  the  attorney.  The  fact  of  the 
killing  of  Randolph  by  the  Bonds  was  clearly  proven,  and  not  de- 
nied by  the  defense;  in  fact  the  defendant  himself  did  not  deny 
the  charge  against  him,  and  in  the  trial  of  his  brothers,  John  and 
James,  some  two  years  afterwards  at  Macomb,  swore  to  the  fact. 
The  attorneys  for  the  defense  made  the  following  points  :  First, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  179 

There  is  no  record  of  a  draft  having  been  made.  Second,  At  the 
time  of  the  arrest  of  John  Bond  the  draft  was  filled.  The  object 
of  the  conscript  law  was  to  raise  soldiers,  and  consequently  the 
force  and  object  of  the  law  was  attained  when  the  quota  was  full ; 
alter  that  the  Provost  Marshal  had  no  right  to  arrest  alternates 
who  would  have  been  dismissed  if  they  had  reported.  Third,  In 
attempting  tc  arrest  John  Bond,  he  transcended  his  duties,  and 
Bond  was  justified  in  resisting  arrest.  Fourth,  Miles  Bond,  seeing 
the  life  of  his  brother  in  danger,  by  the  law  was  justified  in  shoot- 
ing his  antagonist. 

The  case  was  ably  managed  upon  both  sides,  and,  after  a  patient 
hearing,  it  was  submitted  to  the  jury,  who  brought  in  a  verdict  of 
"not  guilty." 

About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1870  two  men  came  to  Ma- 
comb,  having  in  charge  John  and  James  Bond,  claiming  to  have 
captured  them  in  Missouri,  and  claiming  the  reward  offered  for 
their  apprehension.  Doubt  was  entertained  as  to  their  story,  it 
being  generally  believed  it  was  a  "  put  up  job,"  the  Bonds  desiring 
to  surrender,  and  had  arranged  with  these  men  to  come  and  de- 
liver them  up  and  divide  with  them  the  amount  of  the  reward 
offered.  It  was  therefore  refused,  and  they  only  received  about 
$50  to  pay  their  expenses. 

At  the  March  term,  1871,  the  case  of  John  and  James  Bond 
was  called,  but  on  account  of  the  absence  of  two  important  wit- 
nesses, the  State's  Attorney,  L.  "W.  James,  obtained  a  continuance 
till  the  next  term.  At  the  special  term,  held  in  July  following, 
the  case  was  again  called,  but  in  consequence  of  the  sudden  and 
violent  illness  of  Capt.  B.  F.  Westlake,  a  material  witness,  a  con- 
tinuance was  again  granted  to  the  people.  At  the  September  term 
all  were  found  ready,  and  on  Tuesday,  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  the 
month,  the  trial  began,  Judge  Sibley,  of  the  Adams  District, 
presiding.  Only  two  jurors  were  accepted  out  of  the  regular  panel. 
Xiuety-two  others  were  summoned  and  examined  before  the 
twelve  could  be  obtained.  On  the  completion  of  the  regular  num- 
ber, the  trial  proceeded.  For  the  people  appeared  L.  W.  James, 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  assisted  by  C.  F.  Wheat  and  D.  G.  Tunni- 
cliff.  The  defense  was  represented  by  Messrs.  Judd  &  Xeece.  The 
trial  lasted  for  three  days.  Twelve  witnesses  were  examined  for  the 
people,  and  five  for  the  defense.  I^pon  the  points  where  boh 
were  examined  there  was  no  apparent  difference  in  their  testi- 


180  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  CQUKTY. 

mony.  The  attorneys  for  the  defense  did  not  deny  the  fact  of 
the  killing,  but  based  their  whole  argument  upon  the  question  of 
the  illegality  of  the  action  of  Mr.  Randolph  in  the  attempted  ar- 
rest. They  claimed  that  no  such  an  officer  as  Deputy  Provost* 
Marshal  was  recognized  by  the  United  States  Government;  that 
Mr.  Randolph  was  acting  without  due  authority,  consequently  he 
was  a  trespasser,  and  in  laying  his  hand  upon  John  Bond  he  com- 
mitted an  assault,  and  therefore  the  killing  was  justifiable  in  law. 
Mr.  James,  the  prosecuting  attorney,  showed  from  the  evidence 
that  Randolph  was  recognized  by  the  government;  that  he  re- 
ceived pay  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  ;  that  Bond  thought  him 
an  officer ;  that  the  community  all  acknowledged  his  authority  ; 
and,  even  if  authority  was  denied,  the  murder  was  not  justifiable 
and  could  not  be.  The  judge  read  quite  a  lengthy  charge  to  the 
jury,  and  they  retired  about  four  or  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  word  was  sent  to  the  judge 
that  a  verdict  was  agreed  upon,  when  he  immediately  called  the 
court  to  order.  The  prisoners  were  sent  for,  and  at  this  unrea- 
sonable hour  a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty"  was  rendered,  and  John 
and  James  Bond  were  allowed  their  liberty. 

After  the  passage  of  the  resolution  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
in  which  they  offered  a  bounty  of  $300  to  enlisted  or  drafted 
men,  volunteering  rapidly  increased,  and  our  quota  was  soon 
filled,  the  last  volunteers  leaving  the  county  about  February,  1865. 
Fortunately  no  more  were  required,  the  rebellion  being  nearly  at 
an  end. 

The  news  of  the  fall  of  Richmond  was  received  with  great  joy 
by  every  loyal  citizen  of  the  county.  It  was  looked  upon  as  a 
harbinger  of  peace.  But  joy  was  soon  succeeded  by  sorrow.  On 
the  morning  of  the  fifteenth  of  April,  1865,  news  was  received  of 
the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  and  grief  overspread  the 
face  of  every  one.  Business  houses  were  closed  and  appropri- 
ately draped  in  mourning.  Church  bells  tolled  forth  the  sad  in- 
telligence that,  by  the  hands  of  a  cowardly  assassin,  the  great  and 
noble  Abraham  Lincoln  had  been  stricken  down.  In  squads  of 
two  or  three,  people  wandered  listlessly  about,  or  retired  to  the 
privacy  of  their  own  closets,  to  commune  with  the  Almighty 
Father,  and  pray  that  no  further  calamity  might  befall  our  coun- 
try. On  the  following  Sabbath  day  every  church  was  draped  in 
mourning,  and  services  appropriate  to  the  occasion  were  held. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  181 

Time  passed,  and  the  rebellion  was  brought  to  an  end ;  and 
peace  was  proclaimed  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land.  All  throughout  the  country  the  shouts  went  up  from  loyal 
hearts,  and  as  our  "  brave  boys  in  blue"  returned^  the  joy  increased. 
The  war  over,  the  sacrifice  made,  and  the  Union  saved  !  That 
McDonough  county  men  nobly  did  their  duty  in  this  great  cause, 
the  records  of  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Chickamauga,  Chancellorville, 
Mission  Ridge,  and  a  hundred  other  battle  fields,  will  duly  testify. 
But  now  those  that  are  left  are  gathered  at  home,  and  occasionally 
they  recount  to  us  the  scenes  of  those  terrible  times,  and  our 
hearts  almost  cease  to  beat  as  they  describe  the  battles  in  which 
our  brothers  were  engaged,  and  tell  us  how,  where  the  strife 
raged  the  fiercest,  there  fell  so  many  of  their  brave  comrades ;  or 
how,  one  by  one,  in  the  dreary  prison  pens  of  the  South,  or  in  the 
hospitals,  passed  away  from  earth  those  who  but  a  short  time 
previous  were  full  of  health  and  hope.  But  how  sad  our  hearts 
are  made  to  see  in  so  many  households  the  vacant  chair  and  wit- 
ness the  longing  look  -of  some  loved  ones  there,  who  seem  to 
expect  that  which  can  never  come  to  pass  upon  this  side  of  the 
Jordan  ot  death — the  reunion  of  those  who  are  gone  before  with 
those  that  are  left.  But  amid  all  this,  we  have  a  country  saved, 
and  should  we  not  be  thankful  to  the  Great  Father  of  All  that  it 
was  in  our  power  to  make  the  sacrifice  by  which  all  this  was 
accomplished  ? 


H— 12 


182  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE    WAR — IN    THE    FIELD. 

If  time  and  space  allowed,  gladly  would  we  follow  our  brave 
soldier  boys  to  the  tented  field  and  recount  the  individual  acts  of 
bravery  of  one  and  all;  but  this  we  cannot  do,  and  can  only 
speak  in  general  terms,  giving  a  short  description  of  such  regi- 
ments as  were  composed  in  good  part  of  men  from  this  county. 
Our  soldiers,  we  find,  are  as  modest  as  brave,  and  not  disposed  to 
volunteer  information  for  publication,  so  that  for  what  we  do 
give  we  have  had  to  depend  principally  upon  our  public  records. 
Beginning  in  order  of  enlistment,  we  come  to  the 

SIXTEENTH   INFANTRY. 

The  Sixteenth  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  and 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  under 
the  "  Ten  Regiment  Act,"  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  May,  1861. 
It  was  mustered  in  by  Capt.  T.  G.  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.,  June  12th, 
1861 ;  moved  to  Grand  river,  Mo.,  as  railroad  guard,  after  which 
the  regiment  was  scattered  along  the  line  ot  the  H.  &  St.  Jo.  road 
as  guard.  July  10,  Col.  Smith's  force,  though  attacked  at  Monroe 
Station  by  sixteen  hundred  mounted  rebels,  held  its  position  until 
the  arrival  of  reinforcements,  when  the  enemy  fled.  On  the  six- 
teenth, lost  two  men  killed  and  two  wounded  at  Caldwell  Station. 
August  20,  regiment  moved  under  Gen.  Hurlbut  to  Kirksville 
in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Green,  arriving  at  Honey ville  Sept.  1.  Sept. 
10,  ordered  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.  On  the  fourteenth,  together  with 
the  Third  Iowa  Infantry,  had  a  skirmish  at  Platte  City;  seven- 
teenth, returned  to  St.  Joseph.  Jan.  27,  ordered  to  Bird's  Point, 
Mo.  March  3,  ordered  to  New  Madrid,  where  they  were  attached 
to  the  army  of  Mississippi,  Second  Brigade,  Col.  James  D.  Mor- 
gan, First  Division,  Brigadier  General  E.  A.  Paine. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  183 

On  the  evening  of  the  twelfth  of  March  the  Tenth  and  Six- 
teenth Illinois  Volunteers  were  thrown  forward  and  erected  a  line 
of  earthworks,  mounting  four  heavy  guns,  within  a  half  mile  of 
the  enemy's  works. 

March  13,  the  battle  of  Xew  Madrid  was  fought,  the  Sixteenth 
supporting  the  siege  guns. 

April  7,  were  landed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mississippi  with 
the  Tenth  Illinois,  and  followed  tne  retreating  enemy  to  Tipton- 
ville,  Tenn.,  where  they  captured  5,000  prisoners,  a  large  amount 
of  artillery,  small  guns  and  ammunition. 

April  9,  returned  to  Xew  Madrid ;  13th,  embarked  for  Osceola, 
Ark.;  17th,  embarked  for  Hamburg,  Tenn.,  where  they  arrived  on 
the  22d ;  participated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  ;  after  the  evacua- 
tion pursued  the  retreating  enemy  to  Booneville.  June  12,  re- 
turned and  camped  at  Big  Springs.  July  20,  moved  to  Tuscurn- 
bia  ;  29th,  crossed  the  Tennessee  at  Florence. 

September  15,  arrived  at  Nashville  after  a  seventeen-day s' 
march,  with  continual  guerrilla  fighting.  Loss,  one  killed  and  five 
wounded. 

Garrisoned  Edgefield,  guarding  railroad  bridge,  November  5 ; 
garrison  was  attacked  by  rebel  General  Morgan,  who  was  re- 
pulsed, leaving  many  dead  upon  the  field.  Loss,  one  killed  and 
live  wounded,  including  Captain  Rowe  ;  was  in  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky.;  arrived  at 
Camp  Butler  July  10,1865,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

There  were  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  in  the  regiment 
from  this  county,  divided  into  six  companies,  and  during  the  war 
the  casualties  were  five  killed,  twelve  wounded,  and  fifteen  died. 

Xoth withstanding  the  life  of  a  soldier  on  active  duty  is  one  of 
toil  and  danger,  still  a  little  time  is  found  for  amusements,  and 
some  good  anecdotes  are  related  by  the  boys.  While  this  regi- 
ment was  stationed  at  Memphis,  a  couple  of  Irishmen  found  time 
to  pay  court  to  a  pretty  Irish  maiden  residing  there.  Jealousy 
existed  in  the  hearts  of  both,  and  each  did  his  level  best  to  win 
the  good  graces  of  the  fair  one,  while  at  the  same  time  he  would 
utterly  demolish  his  rival.  One  evening  both  happened  to  call 
upon  the  loved  one  at  the  same  time,  and  fell  to  demeaning  each 
other  in  her  presence.  Becoming  tired  of  this  they  began 
bragging  of  their  ancestors.  One  said  his  father  was  a  very 
wealthy  man  in  the  old  country  and  a  lineal  descendant  of  a 


184  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

noble  lord.  The  other  responded,  "  I  can't  say  my  father  is  very 
wealthy  and  a  descendant  of  a  lord,  but  I  can  say  he  came  to  this 
country  when  a  poor  boy  and  became  a  great  builder  and  archi- 
tect, planning  some  of  the  finest  buildings  and  works  of  art  in 
this  country  ;  in  fact,  he  was  the  principal  architect  of  the  Natural 
Bridge  in  Virginia  !  "  "  Take  the  girl,"  said  the  other,  "  I  have 
nothing  more  to  say." 

In  the  regiment  was  a  German  going  by  the  name  of  Solomon,  an 
easy-going,  good-natured  soul.  One  day  he  came  into  camp  from 
a  foraging  expedition,  and  related  an  adventure  of  his,  as  follows: 
"  As  I  vas  coming  along  te  road,  somepody  he  behint  me  hol- 
lered out,  '  Get  out  of  te  road.'  I  taught  it  was  some  tarn  cavalry 
man,  and  I  paid  no  'teution  to  him.  Butty  soon  he  hollers  out 
again,  'Get  out  of  te  road  you  tarn  sou  of  a  pitch.'  I  tought  ten 
it  vas  Eomepody  vot  knowd  me,  ven  he  callt  me  py  name,  and  I 
looks  around,  and  dere  vas  John  Bope  (Gen.  Pope),  and  I  gets  out 
of  te  road  butty  quicks." 

While  in  Missouri,  General  Pope,  for  some  cause,  took  a  dislike 
to  this  regiment,  and  charged  them  with  being  a  set  of  thieves, 
and  said  they  would  steal  everything  they  could  lay  their  hands 
on.  Afterward,  at  Tiptonville,  this  regiment,  with  the  10th  Illi- 
nois, captured  five  thousand  prisoners  without  the  rebels  firing  a  gunr 
which,  when  General  Pope  heard  of,  he  enquired  of  General  Payne 
how  it  was  done.  The  question  was  overheard  by  a  member  of 
the  regiment,  who  quickly  responded,  "  General,  I  can  tell  you 
how  it  was  done.  The  16th  stole  all  their  ammunition  and  they 
couldn't  fire." 

On  a  long  march  the  men  were  apt  to  break  ranks,  which  being 
observed,  the  order  was  given  to  "  close  up,"  which  order  was 
carried  all  along  the  line.  On  one  occasion  a  large  number  of 
*' contrabands"  were  following  the  regiment  when  this  order  was 
given.  An  old  colored  lady,  thinking  the  order  was  meant  for 
her,  raised  her  clothes  a  little  above  her  ankles,  and  turning  to  the 
officer  near  her  who  gave  the  command,  innocently  asked,  "Is 
that  high  enough,  massa?" 

The  following  letter,  which  we  give  precisely  as  received,  with- 
out the  change  of  a  single  word,  was  received  by  Captain  Rowe 
while  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  St.  J'oseph.  It  is  needless  to 
say  the  Captain,  being  a  "  gintleman  that  he  was,"  made  the  boys 
pay  their  just  debts,  and  immediately  forwarded  the  "  sax  dollars  " 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  185 

to  the  lady.     For  this  kind  deed  we  have  no  doubt  the  lady  has 
always  held  him  in  kind  remembrance  : 

THA  SIXTY  o  QUANCY  Nov  1,  1861. 

CAPTAIN  KOWE. — Ant  yer  company  after  bein  ashamed  o'  yerselves  to  let  a  pure  widdy 
go  wid  no  pay  4  munths  when  u  hev  yer  one  pay  long  sense  ye  rite  wel  no  I  did  yer 
washin  when  yer  were  in  this  sitty  an  ye  hev  never  ben  the  men  to  pay  an  not  let  the 
childers  cryin  fer  bred  drab  yer  eis  ma  ye  never  be  after  bein  hungry  childers  yerselves, 
wid  a  mothers  hart  in  ye  at  all,  now  that  ye  ma  niver  forget  it  my  name  is  Catharine 
O'Sullivan  an  did  the  washin  fur  companie  C  whin  Captain  Cahill  wus  the  after  bein  the 
boss  Captain  and  jeems  Barnett  was  the  Clark  an  he  sed  he  wud  se  it  pade  wil  ye  no 
dear  Captin  Howe  tha  do  sa  ye  ar  after  bein  dacent  gintleman  yearself  an  wuld  niver 
like  ter  se  yer  one  childers  cri  fur  bred  wunt  ye  be  as  a  gude  man  as  ye  are  hilp  me  get 
ihe  6  dolirs  that  companie  C  oes  me  fur  washin  when  I  walked  a  mile  an  a  half  to  git  it 
an  fatch  it  home  twice  almost  every  weak  when  tha  wur  at  Kemp  wut  Michael  Reedy 
noes  I  did  the  wurk  so  dus  michael  lynch  no  it,  I  an  wil  tel  ye  the  same  if  yer  onor  wil 
but  ask  him  an  he  wus  married  when  he  was  at  Quancy  an  a  dacent  man  he  seamed  But 
Jim  Barnet  tuk  the  names  fur  me  an  he  can  tel  best  that  tha  oe  me  sax  dolirs  fur  wash- 
in  an  will  testify  on  the  cross  if  he  stil  in  companie  c  yet  an  wil  tel  the  trooth  about  it. 

Catherine  O'Sullivan  To  Captin  Bowe  Michael  lynch  or  Beedy  or  Jeems  Barnet  who 
all  no  the  Captin  noe  that  companie  c  oes  me  sax  dollars. 

Wel  ye  plase  try  an  get  the  muny  fur  the  lady  as  shea  is  very  pure  an  neads  it  much 
an  got  me  to  rite  for  her  sent  it  to  Mr.  Newton  Fagg  for  Catherine  O'Sulliven  sax  dolirs. 

On  the  departure  of  the  companies  for  the  16th  regiment  the 
enlistment  of  other  men  did  not  cease.  The  war  fever  was  up, 
and  hundreds  were  ready  to  do  and  die  for  their  country.  In  July, 

1861,  L.  II.  Waters,  G.  L.  Farwell,  and  W.  F,  Bayne  raised  com- 
panies and  proceeded  to  Springfield.     The  companies  raised  by 
Waters  and  Farwell  were  consolidated,  with  Farwell  as  Captain, 
Waters   becoming   Lieutenant-Colonel   of   the   regiment.     J.   D. 
Walker  was  also  busily  engaged  in  making  up  a  company,  which 
is  next  in  order. 

COMPANY    H — SECOND    CAVALRY. 

This  company  was  organized  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  by  J.  D. 
Walker,  and  accepted  by  the  Governor  July  24,  1861.  The  com- 
pany went  into  quarters  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  August  5, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  August  12,  1861, 
remained  in  the  State  until  November  12,  1861,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  Paducah,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  partly  armed 
and  equipped.  From  here  they  made  several  important  reconnois- 
sances  into  the  interior  of  Kentucky.  They  were  ordered  to  Colum- 
bus, Kentucky,  March  11,  1862,  being  the  first  Union  soldiers  to 
enter  that  rebel  stronghold;  here  they  remained  until  March  23, 

1862,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Hickman,  Kentucky.     March  31 


186  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

they  were  part  of  the  force  that  attacked  and  captured  Union 
City,  then  a  rebel  camp  of  instruction.  Returned  to  Hickman 
and  remained  until  July  9,  1862,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Union 
City,  thence  to  Crocket  Station, 'and  from  there  to  Trenton,  Ten- 
nessee, arriving  June  18th.  Their  duty  while  here  was  arduous, 
having  considerable  scouting  to  do,  the  country  being  alive  with 
guerrillas.  July  27th  they  scouted  toward  Brownsville,  and  for 
seventeen  days  were  continually  skirmishing  with  the  guerrillas. 
Returned  to  their  camp  at  Trenton,  and  was  ordered  to  Jackson,. 
Tennessee,  August  25,  and  the  29th  to  Bolivar,  Tennessee,  where 
they  arrived  on  the  30th,  and  were  immediately  ordered  into  ac- 
tion, in  which  the  noblest  officer  of  the  regiment,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hogg,  was  killed.  The  casualties  of  the  regiment  were 
heavy,  but  in  Company  H  were  light.  While  in  camp  at  Bolivar 
they  scouted  in  Haywood  county,  destroying  Captain  Haywood's 
guerrilla  band  by  capturing  his  camp,  equipage,  and  forty  men. 
The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Lagrange,  Tenn.,  November  5,  1862y 
from  which  they  made  several  reconnoissances,  one  in  the  direction 
of  Larmar,  where  they  brought  on  an  engagement  with  the  reb- 
els, driving  them  away  and  taking  possession  of  the  field  with 
eighty  prisoners,  Company  H  meeting  with  slight  losses.  On  the 
twenty-eighth  of  November  they  took  the  advance  of  the  army, 
moving  through  Holly  Springs  to  Abbeyville,  returned  te  Holly 
Springs  Dec.  2,  and  went  into  camp.  The  rebel  General  Van 
Dorn  made  a  raid  upon  Holly  Springs  Dec.  20,  1862.  After  two- 
hours  hard  fighting  the  rebels,  with  overwhelming  numbers, 
drove  this  regiment  from  their  place,  it  losing  one  hundred  and 
sixty  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Jan.  1,  1863,  ordered  to 
Memphis,  where  they  had  an  opportunity  to  recuperate  some. 
On  the  twenty-second  of  February,  moved  to  Young's  Point,  ar- 
riving the  twenty-third,  and  March  14  ordered  to  Milliken's 
Bend,  where  they  remained  until  the  movement  on  Yicksburg 
commenced,  this  regiment  taking  the  advance.  March  31,  moved 
on  Richmond,  La.,  where  they  engaged  the  rebels  across  the 
bayou,  which,  after  one  hour's  fighting,  they  captured.  Left 
Richmond  April  5,  moving  down  Round  Away  Bayou,  skirmish- 
ing with  rebel  Colonel  Hanson's  command.  April  14,  camped 
at  Smith's  plantation ;  moved  from  here,  crossing  Yidel  and  Mill 
bayous  in  flatboats,  and  encamped  at  St.  Joseph,  La.,  the  twenty- 
eighth.  Crossed  the  Mississippi  at  Bruinsburg,  May  1,  and  ar- 
rived at  Big  Sandy  the  fifth.  The  duties  of  this  regiment  were 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  187 

heavy,  having  to  picket  the  front  of  Osterhaus,  and  Hovey's  Divi- 
sions, and  watching  the  flanks  at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills. 
May  16,  1863,  they  arrived  at  Big  Black  river,  and  the  next  day 
made  the  first  reconnoissance  in  the  rear  of  Yicksburg.  They 
were  engaged  in  scouting  in  the  Yazoo  Valley  until  June  9, 1863, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  Big  Black  Bridge,  on  the  Yicksburg 
and  Jackson  road,  remaining  until  July  5,  when  they  advanced 
on  Jackson.  They  skirmished  heavily  with  the  rebels  four  days, 
and  arrived  at  Jackson  on  the  ninth,  and  on  the  sixteenth  were 
ordered  to  scout  to  Brookhaven,  seventy-five  miles  below  Jackson. 
Returned  July  20,  and  were  ordered  to  Yicksburg,  where  they  ar- 
rived July  28,  1863.  August  5  were  ordered  down  the  Mississippi 
river  to  Natchez,  remaining  until  the  fifteenth,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  Carrollton,  La.,  and  Sept.  5  to  Morganza,  La.,  w^here 
they  skirmished  with  the  rebels  fifteen  days,  and  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  the  rebels  brought  on  a  general  engagement,  compelling 
them  to  retreat.  Oct.  9,  1863,  they  reported  t<*  General  Lee  at 
Xew  Orleans,  and  on  the  fifteenth  left  for  Braehear  City,  arriving 
on  the  seventeenth,  and  at  Franklin  the  eighteenth,  New  Ibera 
the  nineteenth,  at  Yermilionrille  Oct.  20,  1863.  On  the  twenty- 
first  they  advanced  on  the  Bayou  Teche  road,  and  brought  on  an 
engagement  with  the  enemy,  meeting  slight  losses.  Nov.  1,  re- 
turned to  Yermilionville,  and  on  the  eleventh  engaged  the  rebels 
at  Carrion  Crow  Bayou  Crossing,  one  killed  and  three  wounded. 
Jan.  5,  1364,  ordered  to  New  Orleans  to  recuperate,  they  arriving 
the  fifteenth.  The  company  was  mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 
There  were  in  this  company,  from  McDonough  county,  ninety- 
one  men,  tour  of  whom  were  killed,  four  died,  and  four  wounded. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

The  28th  Infantry,  Illinois  Yolunteers,  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  in  August,  1861,  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Louis  H. 
Waters  and  Major  Charles  J.  Sellon. 

August  28,  ordered  to  Thebes,  Illinois ;  September  9,  to  Bird's 
Point,  Missouri ;  October  2,  to  Fort  Holt,  Kentucky,  and  remained 
until  January  31,  1862,  in  Colonel  John  Cook's  brigade.  In  the 
meantime  engaged  in  several  marches  south  and  east  from  the 
fort. 

January  31,  moved  to  Paducah,  Kentucky,  and  were  assigned 
to  Colonel  M.  Smith's  brigade,  Brigadier-General  Lew  Wallace's 
division;  February  5,  moved  up  Tennessee  river;  on  the  sixth 


188  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

took  part  in  the  capture  of  Forts  Henry  aiid  Herman  ;  February 
13,  a  detachment  of  forty-eight  men  and  twelve  officers,  under 
Colonel  Johnson,  met  the  enemy  (five  hundred  strong),  at  Little 
Bethel  Church,  five  miles  from  Fort  Henry,  and  immediately 
attacked  and  routed  them. 

March  6,  having  been  assigned  to  General  Hurlbut's  (fourth) 
division,  moved  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  arriving  the  seventeenth. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  sixth  of  April  the  regiment  was 
called  into  line  and  marched  half  a  mile  to  the  front,  where  it 
met  the  enemy  driving  General  Prentiss.  It  was  assigned  to  a 
position  on  the  left  of  the  line,  in  the  Peach  Orchard.  The 
enemy  immediately  attacked  it,  but  were  repulsed ;  and  it  held 
its  position  from  8  o'clock  A.  M.  until  3  P.  M.,  only  then  retiring 
under  orders  from  Brigadier-General  S.  A.  Hurlbut,  commanding 
the  Old  Fighting  Fourth  Division.  On  the  morning  of  the  sev- 
enth it  held  a  position  on  the  right  of  the  line,  and  was  hotly 
engaged  until  the  battle  closed  and  the  victory  won.  During 
those  two  long,  trying,  bloody  days  the  regiment  behaved  nobly, 
and  was  never  broken  or  driven  back  by  the  enemy,  though  often 
most  heavily  pressed.  The  regiment  here  sustained  a  loss  of  two 
hundred  and  thirty-nine  killed  and  wounded. 

It  was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  during  the  month  of 
May,  1862. 

Marched  to  Memphis,  via  Grand  Junction,  Lagrange,  Holly 
Springs,  Moscow,  Lafayette,  Colliersville  and  Germantown, 
reaching  Memphis  July  21, 1864.  Marched  September  6,  reaching 
Bolivar  the  fourteenth;  marched  October  4th  to  Big  Muddy  river  ; 
October  5,  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Metamora,  on  Hatchie  river, 
losing  ninety-seven  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Returned  to 
Bolivar  October  7,  and  left  for  Lagrange  November  3.  Marched 
from  Lagrange,  November  29,  to  Holly  Springs  ;  thence  to  Lump- 
kin's  Mill,  Waterford,  Abbeville  and  Oxford  to  Tocona  creek; 
December  21,  to  Tocona  station;  thence  to  Tallahatchie  river, 
Waterford,  Lumpkin's  Mills,  and  December  30  was  assigned  to 
duty  of  guarding  the  railroad  from  Holly  Springs  to  Waterford, 
Mississippi. 

January  8,  1863,  marched  via  Holly  Springs  to  Moscow  and 
Lafayette ;  returned  and  camped  at  Colliersville,  where  it  was 
assigned  to  guard  railroad.  Regiment  at  this  time  being  in  the 
Third  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  was  en- 
gaged in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  from  June  11  to  July  4,  1863. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  189 

On  the  12th  of  July,  1863,  near  Jackson,  Miss.,  the  28th,  41st 
and  53d  Illinois,  and  3d  Iowa  Infantry,  not  exceeding  eight  hun- 
dred men,  were  ordered  to  charge  across  an  open  level  corn  field, 
some  six  hundred  yards,  and  carry  a  strong  line  of  the  enemy's 
works,  mounting  twelve  guns  and  manned  by  at  least  two  thou- 
sand men.  The  brigade  swept  gallantly  forward  under  a  destruc- 
tive fire  of  grape,  canister  and  minie  bullets.  The  enemy  ap- 
pearing upon  both  flanks  as  it  reached  the  ditch,  it  was  compelled 
to  fall  back,  with  a  loss  of  more  than  half  of  the  rank  and  file  killed 
or  u'oanded.  The  eight  companies  of  this  regiment  in  line,  num- 
bering one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men,  lost  seventy-three 
killed  and  wounded,  and  sixteen  taken  prisoners. 

September  1,  1863,  the  28th  formed  part  of  an  expedition  from 
Natchez  to  Harrisonburg,  compelling  the  enemy  to  evacuate  Fort 
Beauregard.  The  regiment  remained  at  Natchez  doing  provost 
guard  duty  in  the  city. 

The  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and  on  July  4,  1864,  was 
mustered  for  three  years'  veteran  service,  and  May  18,  proceeded 
to  Illinois  for  veteran  furlough.  May  29,  every  man  who  had 
been  furloughed  reported  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  and  the  regiment 
moved  for  Natchez. 

October  10,  the  regiment  was  consolidated  into  four  companies, 
and  on  the  12th  embarked  for  Morganzia,  La.  November  3,  em- 
barked for  mouth  of  White  river;  arrived  the  7th;  left  the  20th; 
arrived  at  Memphis  the  22d.  Here  the  regiment  received  two 
hundred  recruits,  which  were  organized  into  two  companies ;  was 
assigned  to  the  1st  Brigade  District  of  West  Tennessee — Major 
General  C.  C.  Washburne,  commanding ;  December  21,  formed 
part  of  an  expedition  to  Moscow ;  arrived  the  23d,  and  returned 
to  Memphis  the  31st. 

On  January  3,  1865,  embarked  for  Knerville,  La.,  arriving  the 
6th,  and  on  the  12th,  embarked  for  Mobile  Point,  La.,  and  en- 
countering a  heavy  gale  on  the  voyage  were  compelled  to  throw 
overboard  130  mules  and  horses  to  save  the  vessel ;  arrived  back 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  Feb.  14,  and  proceeded  to  New 
Orleans.  On  the  14,  moved  to  Lake  Ponchartrain,  on  the  17,  em- 
barked for  Ft.  Morgan.  Mobile  Bay,  camped  at  Navy  Cove,  and 
arrived  at  Fish  river  March  25,  and  Spanish  Fort  the  27th. 

In  the  advance  upon  Spanish  Fort  the  regiment  occupied  the 
extreme  right  of  the  division  and  corps,  and  held  this  position  dur- 


190  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

ing  the  entire  siege  of  14  days,  losing  14  killed  and  wounded,  in- 
cluding two  captains. 

April  10,  marched  to  Ft.  Blackly  then  returned  and  on  the  12th, 
entered  the  city  of  Mobile  and  on  the  13th,  marched  to  Whistler 
Station  and  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  May  11,  moved  within 
three  miles  of  Mobile,  Ala.  June  3, 1835,  reviewed  by  Chief  Jus- 
tice Chase.  July  2,  embarked  for  Brazos  Santiago,  Texas;  ar- 
rived July  6;  7th,  marched  to  Clarksville;  Aug,  2,  marched  for 
Brownsville,  arrived  the  3d.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out 
March  15,  1866.  Number  enlisting  at  organization  761,  recruits 
959.  Total  1,620,  284  wounded,  241  killed  and  died.  Of  the  28th, 
89  men  were  from  this  county,  in  two  companies,  D,  and  K,  of 
whom  9  Avere  killed,  9  died,  and  15  wounded.  Their  record  was  a 
glorious  one.  For  their  bravery  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  the 
county  gave  them  a  handsome  flag,  which  was  well  deserved. 

COMPANY    L — SEVENTH    CAVALRY. 

This  company  was  organized  in  Bushnell  by  Captain  George  M. 
Scott  in  Aug.,  1861,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
Sept.  3,  1861.  The  regiment  remained  at  Camp  Butler  until  Dec. 
1861,  when  it  was  moved  to  Cairo,  thence  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.  It 
remained  here  until  March  5,  1862.  Engaged  in  the  capture  of 
New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10;  also  in  capture  of  Corinth  and 
pursuit  of  the  rebels.  Guarded  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Kail- 
road,  in  Alabama,  until  Sept.  9,  1862.  After  this  the  company 
participated  in  the  following  engagements:  luka,  Miss.,  Sep- 
tember, 1862  ;  Burnsville,  Miss.,  Sept.  19,  1862;  Corinth,  Oct.  3 
and  4;  Hudson  Lane,  November,  1862;  Oxford,  Dec.  1,  1862; 
Yancona  Creek,  Dec.  3;  "Water  Valley,  Dec.  4;  Coffeeville,  Dec. 
5  ;  Covington,  Tenn.,  March  8,  1863 ;  Union  Church,  Miss.,  April, 
1863  ;  Plain  Store,  La.,  May  25  ;  Clinton,  La.,  July  3  ;  Quin's  Mills, 
Miss.,  Aug.  1 ;  Salem,  Miss.,  Sept.  9  ;  Collierville,  Tenn.,  Sept.  11 ; 
Byhalia,  Miss.,  Sept.  12;  Wyattsford,  Miss.,  Sept.  13;  Collierville, 
Tenn.,  Oct.  10,1863;  Moscow,  Oct.  12,  1863;  Espanola,  Tenn., 
Dec.  24;  Summerville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  26;  West  Point,  Miss.,  Feb. 
20,1864;  Okalon,  Miss.,  Feb.  23;  Pontiac,  Miss.,  Feb.  24;  Gun- 
town,  Miss.,  June  10  ;  Memphis,  Tenn.,  July  21;  Shoal  Creek, 
Tenn.,  November;  Lawrenceburg,  Tenn.,  Nov.  21 ;  Campbellville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  24;  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov.  10;  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and 
16;  Harpe  Creek,  Tenn.,  Dec.  17;  Kutherford  Creek,  Tenn.,  Dec. 
19;  Anthony  Hill,  Tenn.,  Dec.  25.  Besides  a  number  of 


HISTORY   OF   STDONOUGH   COUNTY. 


191 


wearisome  marches,  the  company  participated  in  several  import- 
lint  raids,  among  which  was  Grierson's  famous  raid,  made  in 
April,  1863,  from  LaGrange,  Tenn.,  to  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  traveling* 
in  sixteen  days,  a  distance  of  eight  hundred  miles.  After  which 
the  company  participated  in  the  siege  and  capture  ot  Port  Hudson,. 
La.,  in  June  and  July  of  1863.  A  portion  of  the  company  re-en- 
listed as  veterans,  Feb.  9,  1864,  under  Captain  Daniel  Wilt,  Lieu- 
tenants James  Price  and  Lewis  Pickel. 

There  were  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  officers  and  privates 
enlisted  in  this  company — many  being  recruits — fifty-nine  of  this 
number  were  from  this  county.  The  company,  although  very  ac- 
tive all  during  the  war,  did  not  suffer  as  many  did,  there  being  but 
five  killed :  sixteen  died.  The  company  was  mustered  out  at 
Xashville,  Tenn.,  Xov.  4,  1865. 

J.  L.  Epperson,  a  member  of  this  regiment,  was  not  addicted  to- 
the  use  of  profane  language,  and  condemned  it  in  others,  but  on 
one  occasion  the  boys  claimed  that  they  had  the  joke  on  him. 
While  in  camp  at  a  certain  place  he  went  down  to  a  stream  to  get 
a  drink  of  fresh  water,  and  as  he  raised  up  from  quenching  his- 
thirst,  he  was  fired  upon  by  a  couple  of  bushwhackers,  one  of 
whom  had  a  shot-gun  and  the  other  a  musket.  Although  they 
were  only  about  forty  steps  away,  they  failed  to  touch  him,  when 
he  quickly  drew  his  revolver,  firing  three  shots  at  them  as  they 
retreated,  and  in  all  earnestness  exclaiming  :  "You  playgonit  cow- 
ards, you  1"  His  comrades  laughed  at  him  for  his  conduct,  telling 
him  that  he  had  disgraced  the  noble  7th,  in  fact,  the  entire  army,, 
by  his  terrible  swearing ;  that  the  rebels  would  think  them  an 
awful  wicked  Bet  of  fellows,  to  hear  such  oaths  coming  from  a 
Union  soldier.  It  is  probable  he  never  repeated  them. 

FIFTY-FIFTH     INFANTRY. 

The  Fifty-fifth  Infantry  Illinois  volunteers  was  organized  at 
Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  mustered  in  October  31, 
1861.  Xovember  9,  left  by  rail  for  Alton,  and  on  the  evening  of 
the  18th  left  for  St.  Louis  by  steamer.  Remained  at  Camp  Bentou 
until  January  12,  1862,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Paducah,  Ey., 
where  it  arrived  on  the  22d,  and  March  8th  embarked  on  steamer 
for  the  Tennessee  river. 

March  15,  marched  out  with  the  expedition  from  a  point  some 
fourteen  miles  above  Pittsburg  Landing,  for  the  surprise  and  over- 


192  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

throw  of  Corinth,  but  high  water  defeated  the  movement.  It  re- 
turned to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  went  into  camp  east  of  Shiloh 
Church. 

The  opening  of  the  battle  Sunday  morning  found  the  regiment 
in  position  with  an  effective  force  of  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
three  men.  Colonel  Stuart  was  wounded  and  nine  of  the  line 
•officers,  three  of  whom  died,  one  hundred  and  two  enlisted  men 
were  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
one  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  The  regiment  was  with  the 
army  in  the  advance  on  Corinth,  a.nd  at  Russell's  house,  May  17; 
lost  in  skirmish  eight  men,  two  killed  and  six  wounded. 

Entered  Corinth  May  30,  and  from  there,  with  General  Sher- 
man, westward  along  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad. 
Marching  to  Lagrange,  Lafayette,  Moscow,  to  Holly  Springs, 
Miss.;  with  Sherman  marched  into  Memphis  July  31,  and  re- 
mained in  camp  until  November  25,  when,  with  Sherman's  divi- 
sion, it  marched  for  the  Tallahatchie  river.  Was  marched  back 
to  Memphis  to  descend  the  Mississippi  river  to  Vicksburg  with 
the  new  troops  that  arrived  at  Memphis.  Embarked  with  the  ex- 
pedition, and  six  companies  were  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Chick- 
asaw  Bayou,  December  29,  losing  one  Captain  killed  and  one  en- 
listed man  killed  and  seven  wounded. 

The  regiment  was  present  and  under  tire  at  the  battle  of  Ar- 
kansas Post,  January  10  and  11,  1863;  from  here  it  moved  to 
Young's  Point,  La.,  where  it  was  initiated  into  the  ditching  pro- 
cess. 

Participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  losing  in  all,  from  May 
16  to  July  4,  eight  killed  and  thirty-nine  wounded.  Encamped  on 
Black  river,  near  Vicksburg,  until  Sept.  27,  when  it  embarked  for 
Memphis,  and  moved  out  with  the  army  past  Corinth  to  luka. 
From  luka  it  was  with  the  reconnoissance  to  Tuscumbia.  Oct. 
•30,  marched  from  East  Point  to  Chattanooga;  arrived  Nov.  21,  and 
during  the  night  of  the  twenty-third,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade, 
manned  a  fleet  of  pontoon  boats  in  North  Chickamauga  creek, 
four  miles  above  Chattanooga,  and  in  the  midst  of  rain  and  in- 
tense darkness,  with  muffled  oars,  descended  and  crossed  the 
Tennessee  river,  and  captured  the  enemy's  picket  line.  Nov.  25, 
marched  with  Sherman  to  the  relief  of  .Knoxville;  returned  and 
camped  successively  at  Bridgeport,  Bellefonte,  and  Larkinsville 
during  the  winter,  and  at  Larkins'  Landing  during  the  spring,  at 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  195 

which  place  the  regiment  veteranized,  and  returned  to  Illinois  on 
a  furlough  of  thirty  days.  June  27,  1864,  participated  in  the 
assault  upon  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  losing  fifteen  killed  and 
thirty-three  wounded.  On  July  22  the  regiment  was  again  en- 
gaged, with  an  effective  force  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine 
men,  and  came  out  of  the  engagement  with  one  hundred  and 
eighty  men. 

In  the  siege  of  Atlanta  the  regiment's  loss  was  seven  killed  and 
eighteen  wounded.  In  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Aug.  31r 
J1864,  lost  twenty-three  men. 

In  a  short  campaign  of  about  two  months,  the  regiment  lost 
about  one-half  its  number. 

Joined  in  pursuit  of  Hood  through  northern  Alabama,  and  re- 
turned to  Atlanta,  when  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  non-veterans 
were  discharged.  It  soon  left  for  Savannah  with  the  15th  Army 
Corps. 

Near  Bentonsville,  N.  C.  lost  eight  men. 

Marched  with  the  army  via  Richmond  to  Washington,  where  it 
participated  in  the  grand  review,  and  then  moved  to  Louisville, 
where  it  remained  in  camp  a  few  weeks,  and  then  by  steamer 
went  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  where,  Aug.  14,  1865,  it  was  mustered 
out  of  service,  and  on  the  19th  left  for  Chicago,  and  arrived  on 
the  22d,  and  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

During  its  term  of  service  the  regiment  marched  3,374  miles. 

This  county  was  represented  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
men,  in  four  different  companies  of  the  55th,  of  whom  three  were 
killed,  fourteen  died  and  seventeen  wounded. 

COMPANY  C — FIFTY-NINTH  INFANTRY. 

This  was  among  the  first  companies  organized  in  McDouough, 
and  nearly  all  of  its  officers  and  men  were  residents  of  the  western 
part  of  the  county.  It  was  assigned  to  duty  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
Missouri,  where  it  remained  until  the  organization  of  the  9th 
Missouri  Infantry  Volunteers,  at  St.  Louis,  September  18,  1861, 
to  which  Company  C  was  assigned.  This  regiment  was  composed 
of  Illinois  companies.  February  12,  1862,  by  order  of  the  War 
Department,  it  was  changed  to  the  59th  Illinois  Infantry  Vol- 
unteers. Three  days  after  organization  the  9th  Missouri  was 
ordered  to  Jefferson  City,  and  on  the  thirtieth  moved  to  Boone- 
ville,  and  was  brigaded  with  the  37th  Illinois  Infantry,  5th  Iowa 


104  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

•  Infantry,  1st  Kansas  Infantry  and  Davidson's  Illinois  Battery, 
Colonel  J.  C.  Kelton  commanding  brigade,  and  Brigadier-General 
John  Pope  commanding  division.  The  campaign  of  1861  and  th«' 
•early  part  of  1862  was  spent  in  the  fctate  of  Missouri.  On  the 
20th  day  of  May,  1862,  the  regiment  embarked  for  Hamburg 
Landing,  Tennessee.  From  there  moved  toward  Farmington,  on 
the  twenty-seventh.  After  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  pursued 
the  enemy.  In  June  marched  into  Mississippi,  and  in  August  to 
Florence,  Alabama.  Thence  to  Franklin,  Tennessee  ;  from  there 
to  Murfreesboro,  arriving  September  1,  1863.  September  3,  com- 
menced the  northward  march  with  General  BuelPs  army,  arriving 
at  Louisville  on  the  twenty-sixth.  October  7,  met  the  enemy  at 
Chaplin  Hill,  near  Perryville.  On  the  eighth  heayily  engaged, 
losing  one  hundred  and  thirteen  killed  and  wounded  out  ot  three 
hundred  and  sixty-one  men  going  into  action.  Pursued  the  enemy 
on  the  tenth.  Arrived  in  Nashville  November  7,  and  camped  at 
Edgen'eld,  near  which  they  remained  during  the  year. 

Dec.  25,  skirmished  toward  Nolensville.  On  the  twenty-sixth 
the  army  of  the  Cumberland  was  put  in  motion  for  the  Stone 
River  campaign,  and  the  59th  employed  as  skirmishers,  and  drove 
the  enemy  nine  miles.  Took  active  part  in  the  attack  on  Nolens- 
ville.  On  the  twenty-ninth  marched  toward  Murfreesboro  ;  here 
the  enemy  were  found  in  force  and  entrenched.  An  unsuccessful 
attempt  was  made  to  drive  him  from  his  position,  and  the  regi- 
ment lay  during  the  night  of  the  thirtieth  within  a  few  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  works.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  thirty- 
first,  the  enemy  turned  the  right  flank  of  the  Twentieth  Corps. 
The  59th  changed  front  to  rear,  and  supporting  the  5th  Wisconsin 
Battery,  for  a  long  time  held  the  enemy  in  check,  and  when  with- 
drawn, brought  with  it  the  guns  of  the  battery,  from  which  the 
horses  had  all  been  killed.  It  was  then  put  in  position  on  Mur- 
freesboro pike,  which  it  held  until  Jan.  2.  The  regiment  forded 
the  river,  swollen  by  recent  rains,  and  assisted  in  driving  back  the 
enemy,  and  held  their  position  in  the  extreme  front  until  the 
morning  of  Jan.  4,  when  it  re-crossed  Stone  river,  and  the  enerr^ 
evacuated  Murfreesboro.  June  23,  1863,  the  Tullahoma  campaign 
was  commenced.  August  30,  left  Stevenson,  crossed  the  Tennes- 
see river  and  ascended  the  Sand  Mountain.  Marched  to  Lookout 
Valley.  Arrived  at  Chattanooga  Sept.  22.  Distance  marched 
from  Stevenson,  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  miles.  Was  active 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  195 

in  the  Lookout  Mountain  campaign.     Dec.  1,  buried  the  dead 
from  the  battle  field  of  Chickamauga,  of  Sept.  19  and  20. 

January  12,  1864,  the  regiment  mustered  as  a  veteran  organiza- 
tion, and  arrived  at  Springfield,  111.,  on  furlough,  February  10, 
and  March  19,  was  re-organized.  Took  part  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign  July  12,  the  regiment  crossed  the  Chattahoochie,  and 
presented  itself  before  the  fortifications  around  Atlanta,  and  from 
that  time  until  the  25th  of  August,  it  assailed  the  works  of  the  en- 
emy and  was  under  fire  day  and  night.  November  1,  marched  to 
Fulaski.  On  the  29th,  the  brigade  attacked  the  enemy  in  the  flank, 
as  it  was  marching  toward  Spring  Hill.  The  fight  continued  all 
day,  and  at  night  the  59th  marched  20  miles,  and  reached  Spring 
Hill  on  the  morning  of  the  30th.  Resting  but  one  hour,  marched 
to  Franklin,  and  during  the  afternoon  the  battle  of  Franklin  was 
fought.  Dec.  1,  arrived  in  Nashville,  and  on  the  15th,  the  battle 
of  Nashville  commenced.  The  59th  was  in  the  first  line  of  the 
assaulting  column  and  planted  the  first  colors  on  the  captured 
works.  In  the  afternoon  it  assaulted  and  carried  the  enemy's 
works  near  Hillsboro  pike.  Dec.  16,  the  memorable  assault  on 
Overton's  Hills  were  made;  here  the  regiment  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded  one-third  of  its  number.  July  9,  arrived  at  New  Or- 
leans, marched  to  San  Antonia,  Texas,  and  was  stationed  at  New 
Braunfels,  Texas,  until  Dec.  8,  1865,  when  it  was  mustered  out. 
In  company  C,  there  were  79  men  from  this  county,  7  of  whom 
were  killed,  7  died  and  7  wounded. 

SIXTY-FOURTH     INFANTRY. 

The  "First  Battalion  Yates  Sharpshooters"'  was  organized  at 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  the  month  of  December,  1861,  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel D.  R.  AVilliams.  It  consisted  of  four  companies, 
to  which  were  added  two  others  the  last  of  the  month.  January 
10,  1862,  the  battalion  was  ordered  to  Quincy,  where  it  was  armed, 
after  which  it  was  ordered  South.  Near  New  Madrid  they  had 
their  first  engagement  with  the  enemy  on  the  night  of  March  12. 
^Vas  engaged  at  Fort  Pillow,  Corinth,  Kenesaw,  Atlanta,  and  a 
great  many  other  battle-fields.  No  more  effective  duty  was  done 
by  any  regiment  during  the  war,  it  being  always  in  the  front. 
Their  loss,  as  far  as  known,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-nine  men;  of  those  dying  in  service  we  have  not 
the  number.  The  regiment  was  continually  on  the  go,  travelling 
with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  thence  around  through  North  Carolina, 


196  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

and  then  on  to  Washington,  where  they  were  in  the  grand  review, 
May  24,  1865.  They  were  discharged  at  Chicago,  July,  18,  1865. 

There  were  three  companies  represented  from  McDonough 
county  in  this  regiment — A,  D  and  F,  and  a  total  ot  eighty-five 
men. 

Many  personal  incidents  could  be  given  of  individual  bravery 
of  members  of  this  regiment,  but  will  content  ourselves  with  the 
following,  as  showing  the  pluck  of  one  of  McDonough  county's 
boys  : 

John  Jacobs,  a  member  of  company  D,  was  captured  near  At- 
lanta, and,  with  other  prisoners,  was  hurried  South  under  a  strong 
guard,  their  captors  following  the-line  of  railroad.  The  prisoners 
were  made  to  occupy  the  railroad  track  as  far  as  possible,  while 
the  guard  ranged  upon  either  side. 

A  short  time  before  the  capture  the  government  furnished  our 
soldier  boys  with  shirts  of  unbleached  cotton,  which,  in  the  twi- 
light, looked  not  a  great  deal  unlike  the  butternut  of  the  rebels. 
This  fact  was  quickly  discovered  by  young  Jacobs,  who  deter- 
mined, if  possible,  to  take  advantage  of  it. 

On  either  side  the  guard  was  a  number  of  rebel  soldiers  who 
had  been  slightly  wounded,  and  who  were  being  sent  to  the  rear. 
As  twilight  began  to  settle  around  them,  Jacobs  began  to  limp 
slightly  and  fall  slowly  behind,  and  soon  was  in  the  very  midst  of 
the  guard,  who,  from  his  clothing,  judged  him  to  be  one  of  their 
number  going  to  the  rear.  Occasionally  he  would  limp  directly 
in  the  way  of  one  of  them,  who,  cursing  him,  would  tell  him  to  fall 
behind.  This  was  just  what  he  wanted,  and  what  he  continued 
to  do  until  he  was  the  very  last  of  the  party  proceeding  south- 
ward. As  soon  as  he  thought  his  absence  would  be  unnoticed, 
he  turned  and  fled  in  the  direction  from  which  he  came.  JSTot 
knowing  the  direct  way  back,  he  was  forced  to  continue  along  the 
line  of  the  railroad.  He  succeeded  in  passing  the  infantry  out- 
posts without  alarming  them,  but  came  near  being  recaptured 
when  he  reached  the  cavalry  pickets.  In  passing  through  the 
woods  the  underbrush  beneath  his  feet  would  break,  and  notice 
was  thus  given  of  his  presence.  Although  unseen,  the  command 
rang  out  to  halt,  and  several  shots  were  fired  in  his  direction,  one 
ball  grazing  one  of  his  ears.  No  further  sound  being  heard,  the 
pickets  thought  the  noise  was  made  by  a  hog  or  other  animal 
passing  through  the  timber,  and  made  no  further  efforts  to  dis- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  197 

cover  its  source,  which  was  indeed  well  lor  him.  They  then  rode 
oft  and  he  proceeded  on  his  way. 

When  daylight  came  he  dared  not  proceed  further  for  fear  of 
capture,  but  lay  down  in  the  tall  weeds  by  the  side  of  the  railroad 
track,  and  all  day  long  the  rebels  marched  over  the  road  and  on 
either  side  of  him,  many  of  them  passing  so  near  he  could  easily 
have  reached  out  and  grappled  with  them.  This  he  was  many 
times  tempted  to  do,  that  he  might  wrest  from  them  a  gun  with 
which  he  might  defend  himself  if  necessary,  and  also  to  get  hold 
of  their  canteens,  for  he  was  almost  suffocating  with  thirst.  It 
was  well  for  him  that  he  restrained  himself,  for  if  he  had  at- 
tempted to  thus  grapple  with  one  he  would  surely  have  been  dis- 
covered, and  his  recapture  made  certain. 

When  night  came  on  he  made  his  way  to  a  house  and  boldly 
asked  for  something  to  eat,  telling  the  people  he  was  a  confede- 
rate spy.  The  family  were  very  glad  to  render  him  such  service 
as  they  could,  and  gave  him  a  supper  which  he  certainly  appreci- 
ated, not  having  had  anything  to  eat  for  about  thirty-six  hours. 
While  the  meal  was  preparing,  and  while  eating,  he  plied  the  family 
with  questions  as  to  the  location  of  the  Yankee  army,  the  best 
road  to  reach  it,  etc.,  obtaining  all  the  information  they  were  able 
to  give.  He  then  asked  for  the  loan  of  a  mule  and  a  gun,  stating 
that  when  near  the  enemy's  lines  he  would  turn  the  mule  loose, 
and  let  him  return  home  at  once,  and  the  gun  he  would  return  the 
first  favorable  opportunity.  Yes,  he  could  have  the  best  mule  on 
the  plantation,  and  an  excellent  gun,  which  he  need  be  in  no  hurry 
to  return  if  they  could  be  of  service  to  the  glorious  cause.  Thank- 
ing his  kind  host  for  the  favors  shown,  he  rode  forth  toward  the 
lines  of  the  Union  arm}\ 

After  riding  all  night,  he  came  to  a  house,  and  hitching  his 
mule  in  the  front  yard,  he  went  in  and  asked  for  breakfast,  first 
depositing  his  gun  by  the  door,  that  he  might  not  unnecessarily 
alarm  the  family,  and  where  he  could  easily  reach  it  when  neces- 
sary. To  this  family  he  told  the  same  story  of  being  a  confede- 
rate spy  on  his  way  to  the  enemy's  camp,  and  from  the  lady  of  the 
house  he  learned  the  picket  line  of  the  Union  army  was  but  a 
short  distance  from  her  dwelling. 

"While  partaking  of  the  nice  warm  breakfast  which  was  pre- 
pared for  him,  he  heard  the  tramp  of  horses  upon  the  road,  and 
rushed  to  the  front  window  and  looked  out,  but  could  not  tell  to 
H— 13 


198  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

which  party  they  belonged,  but  judging  they  were  rebels  intent 
upon  his  recapture,  started  out  the  back  way  and  made  for  the 
woods.  He  was  quickly  overtaken  and  brought  back  to  the 
house.  His  kind  landlady  then  witnessed  against  him  that  he 
had  confessed  to  her  he  was  a  confederate  spy,  when  they  were 
about  to  hang  him  at  once,  without  the  form  of  trial.  He  told 
them  not  to  be  so  fast,  that  he  was  a  Union  soldier  who  had  been 
captured  and  made  his  escape  from  the  rebels.  Plis  story  they 
refused  to  believe,  cursing  him  as  a  spy,  and  arranging  to  at  once 
put  an  end  to  his  existence.  Finally  better  counsels  prevailed, 
and  he  was  at  once  taken  (not  very  gently)  into  the  Union  camp 
and  before  the  general  commanding,  who  questioned  him  as  to 
who  he  was,  and  where  he  was  from.  He  replied,  giving  his 
name,  company  and  regiment.  The  general  then  questioned  him 
upon  other  matters,  receiving  direct  replies,  when  he  ordered  him 
under  double  guard,  that  inquiries  might  be  made  as  to  the  truth 
of  his  story,  stating  that  he  was  either  the  man  he  claimed  to  be 
or  else  a  spy. 

Inquiry  being  made,  it  was  learned  that  a  captain  of  that  regi- 
ment was  then  in  hospital.  He  was  asked  if  there  was  such  a 
person  as  John  Jacobs  in  Co.  D  of  his  regiment.  He  replied 
there  was,  and  stated  he  would  be  able  to  identify  him  on  sight. 
Jacobs  was  then  brought  before  him,  and  the  recognition  was 
mutual,  and  he  was  at  once  ordered  discharged.  He  then  asked 
the  party  bringing  him  into  camp  for  his  mule  and  gun,  wThich 
they  refused  to  surrender,  when  he  at  once  complained  to  the 
general,  who  ordered  them  delivered  to  him.  These  he  sold  for 
$140,  which  was  so  much  clear  gain.  The  whole  affair  showed 
that  Jacobs  was  without  fear,  and  a  man  of  pluck  and  inventive 
genius. 

As  illustrating  the  strict  discipline  of  the  regiment,  the  follow- 
ing incident  is  given:  An  order  was  issued  by  General 
llosecranz,  commander  of  the  division,  that  no  one  should  be 
permitted  to  pass  the  guards  without  the  countersign,  save  a  gene- 
ral in  full  uniform.  A  gentleman,  in  a  linen  duster  and  broad 
brimmed  hat,  drove  along  a  road  on  which  a  guard  was  stationed, 
when  he  was  commanded  to  halt.  Reining  up  suddenly,  he 
inquired  why  he  was  thus  stopped.  "Give  the  countersign," 
answered  the  guard.  "Get  out  of  the  way,  d — n  you  !  I'm  Gene- 
ral Gordon  Granger."  "I  have  no  means  of  knowing  whether 
you  are  General  Gordon  Granger  or  not,  and  you  cannot  pass  here 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  199 

unless  in  full  dress,  or  you  give  the  countersign.''  Using  a  string 
of  adjectives  that  would  not  appear  well  in  print,  he  again  asked 
permission  to  pass;  when  the  guard  told  him  he  was  not  in  a 
humor  to  be  cursed,  and  that  he  must  either  give  the  countersign 
or  turn,  or  he  would  at  once  arrest  him  and  send  him  to  the 
guard  house.  Upon  this  the  party  wheeled  around,  and  soon 
appeared  dressed  in  full  uniform;  when  the  guard  gave  the  salute, 
.and  he  was  permitted  to  pass.  The  circumstance  was  reported  to 
General  Rosecranz,  who  reproved  General  Granger  and  told  the 
guard  he  did  just  right. 

Few  rebel  battle  flags  were  captured  during  the  war,  and  it  was 
always  considered  a  grand  honor  for  any  to  take  one.  In  the  last 
grand  charge  upon  the  enemy's  works  at  Atlanta,  Captain  George 
~\V.  Reid,  who  at  the  time  was  acting  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
regiment,  succeeded  in  securing  one  trom  a  Texas  regiment,  and 
sent  it  home,  where  it  remained  in  his  house  in  Chalmers  township 
about  one  year,  when  it  was  taken  to  Springfield  by  request  of 
the  Adjutant-General;  and  it  can  now  be  seen  in  the  "trophy 
room"  of  the  State  capitol,  duly  labeled  and  credit  given  to  Cap- 
tain Reid. 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

The  78th  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  in  Quincy, 
111.,  in  August,  1862,  by  Col.  "Wm.  H.  Benueson,  and  mustered 
into  service  September  1, 1862.  Ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
it  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  Army  of 
Ohio ;  transferred  to  Thirty-ninth  Brigade,  Twelfth  Division ; 
afterwards  detached  from  Brigade  and  assigned  to  Gen.  Boyle, 
Oct.  1,  1862.  This  regiment  was  engaged  in  many  battles  during 
the  war,  among  which  were  Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  others.  After  a  year's  service,  Col.  Benneson  re- 
signed, and  Lieut.  Colonel  Van  Vleck.  of  this  county,  was  pro- 
meted  to  the  Colonelcy,  and  retained  command  until  killed  in 
August  1864,  near  Atlanta,  by  one  of  the  enemy's  sharp  shooters. 
Xo  braver  men  than  Col.  Carter  Van  Vleck  and  Major  Wm.  L. 
Broaddus  were  ever  in  command  and  none  more  generally  beloved 
by  their  men.  Of  the  bravery  of  the  men  it  is  needless  to  speak; 
their  record  is  known  of  all.  In  this  regiment  there  were  214 
men  from  this  county,  and  of  that  number  15  were  killed,  28 
wounded,  and  23  died  of  disease  while  in  service,  20  were  taken 
prisoners,  6  of  whom  died  at  Andersonville,  and  3  at  Libby. 
This  is  a  record  of  which  we  may  well  be  proud. 


200  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Resigning  the  position  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  28th,  L. 
H.  Waters  returned  home  and  succeeded  in  raising  another  regi- 
ment, which  in  due  time  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service.  This  regiment  was  composed  in  good  part  of  men  from 
McDonough  county,  and  therefore  deserves  record  in  this  place. 
We  therefore  give  the 

EIGHTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

The  Eighty-fourth  Infantry,  Illinois  volunteers  was  organized 
at  Quincy,  Illinois,  in  August,  1862,  by  Colonel  Louis  H.  Waters,, 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  September  1st,  with 
nine  hundred  and  fifty-one  men  and  officers.  Ordered  to  Louis- 
ville, September  23,  1862,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Tenth  Brigade,. 
Colonel  Gross  commanding,  Fourth  Division,  Brigadier  General 
William  Sooy  Smith  commanding,  and  marched  September  29th 
in  pursuit  of  Bragg.  Moved  via  Bardstown,  Danville,  Perryville, 
Crab  Orchard,  Wild  Cat,  Somerset,  Columbia,  Glascow,  Scotts- 
ville,  Gallatin,  and  Silver  Springs  to  Nashville;  from  thence  via 
Murfreesboro,  Bradyville  and  Manchester  to  Elk  river,  and  back 
via  Hillsboro  to  Manchester;  from  thence  across  the  Cumberland 
Mountains,  and  via  Dunlap,  Jasper,  Battle  Creek,  Shell  Moundr 
Whiteside,  Chattanooga,  Grayville,  Ringgold,  Gordon's  Mills  and 
Crawfish  Springs  to  Chickamauga.  On  retreat  to  Chattanooga,, 
thence  over  Walden's  Ridge  to  Shell  Mound  and  Whiteside. 
From  thence  via  Chattanooga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary 
Ridge  to  Chickamauga  battle-ground,  and  back  by  the  same  route 
to  Whiteside;  thence  moved  to  Chattanooga,  Tyner's  Station, 
Ooltowah,  Cleveland,  Charleston,  back  to  Cleveland,  Blue  Springs 
thence  to  Red  Clay,  Catoosa  Springs,  Tunnell  Hill,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  and  back  to  Blue  Springs.  Thence  by  the  same  route  to 
Dalton,  and  moving  forward  was  engaged  at  Resaca,  Cal- 
houn,  Adairsville,  Kingston,  Cassville,  Pumpkin  Vine,  Burnt 
Hickory,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Ackworth,  Big  Shan 
ty,  Pine  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Rough  Station, 
Pace's  Ferry,  Chattahoochie  River  and  Peach  Tree  creek. 
From  thence  moved  on  the  fortifications  of  Atlanta;  thence  to 
Rough-and-Ready,  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy  station.  From  At- 
lanta moved  via  Marietta,  Ackworth,  Cartersville,  Allatoona, 
Kingston,  Calhoun,  Resaca,  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Galesville,  Ala- 
bama, Chattanooga,  Stevenson,  Bridgeport,  Huntsville,  Athens, 
Pulaski,  Columbia  and  Franklin  to  Nashville;  thence  to  Pulaskir 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  201 

Lexington  and  Huutsville ;  thence  by  rail  to  Knoxville,  Term.; 
thence  to  Strawberry  Plains  and  Bull's  Gap,  and  returned  to 
Nashville,  where,  June  8th,  1865,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
•of  the  United  States  service. 

Battles  in  which  the  84th  was  engaged:  Stone  Kiver,  Dec.  31, 
1862,  Jan.  12  and  13,  1863 ;  loss,  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
men.  AYoodbury,  Jan.  17,  1863.  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19  and  20, 
1863;  loss,  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  men.  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Missionary  Ridge  and  Ringgold,  ]STov.  24,  25  and  26,  1863 ; 
loss,  nine  men.  Dalton,  Feb.  22,  1864;  loss,  four  men.  In  the 
Atlanta  campaign:  Buzzard's  Roost,  May  10,  1864;  Dalton,  May 
13,  1864;  Resaca,  May  14,  1864;  Burnt,  Hickory,  May  26  to  31, 
and  June  1,  2  and  3;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Symria,  Atlanta,  Jones- 
boro  and  Lovejoy  Station  ;  loss  in  the  campaign,  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  men.  Franklin  and  Nashville ;  loss,  twenty  men. 
Total  casualties  in  battle,  live  hundred  and  fifty-eight  men. 

From  the  84th  but  one  man  was  ever  taken  prisoner ;  but  ten 
•deserted  ;  only  one  man  ever  sent  to  military  prison  ;  and  but  four 
tried  by  court  martial. 

There  were  two  hundred  and  five  men  in  the  84th  from  Mc- 
Donough  county,  in  five  different  companies — A,  B,  C,  D  and  F. 
Killed,  11;  died,  30;  wounded,  39;  died  in  Andersonville  prison, 
1 — the  only  prisoner  taken.  Twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  whole 
number  enlisting  from  this  county  in  this  regiment  gave  their 
lives  for  their  country.  A  great  sacrifice  indeed,  but  made  in  a 
good  cause.  May  such  an  offering  never  again  be  required. 

AVe  now  call  attention  to  the 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    NINETEENTH    INFANTRY. 

The  119th  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Quin- 
sy, 111.,  in  September,  1862,  by  Colonel  Thomas  J.  Kinney,  and 
mustered  in  Oct.  10th.  Xov.  2,  moved  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  and 
thence  to  Jackson,  Teun.;  Feb.  6,  1863,  to  Humbolt;  May  30,  to 
Memphis,  and  assigned  to  Fourth  Brigade,  Filth  Division,  and 
Sixteenth  Corps.  Jan.  27,  1864,  the  regiment  moved  to  Vicks- 
burg,  was  engaged  in  the  Meriden  campaign,  under  Gen.  Sher- 
man. March  10,  embarked  on  the  Red  River  Expedition,  engaged 
in  the  battles  of  Fort  DeRussey,  Pleasant  Hill,  Bayou  la  Moore, 
Yellow  Bayou.  Moved  to  Yicksburg  May  25,  and  to  Memphis 
June  24.  By  rail  to  Lagrange,  and  July  5  commenced  march 
through  Mississippi.  Returned  to  Memphis  the  27th.  Sept.  5, 


20*2  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

moved  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.  On  Oct.  2,  started  after  Pricer 
and  returned  Nov.  18,  having  marched  700  miles.  Dec.  1,  arrived 
at  Nashville,  engaged  in  the  battle  of  the  lt>.  On  Feb.  8,  em- 
barked for  New  Orleans,  engaged  at  Spanish  Fort  and  Blakely. 
Moved  to  Montgomery  and  Mobile.  Mustered  out  Aug.  26, 1865y 
and  arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  Sept.  4.  Company  II.  of  this 
regiment  was  from  this  county,  and  contained  8L  men.  The 
mortality  was  8. 

ONE    HUNDRED  AND    TWENTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  by  Colonel  Thomas  J.  Sloan,  and  Oct.  6  moved  tor 
Jackson,  Tenn. ;  was  assigned  to  Third  Brigade,  First  Division r 
Thirteenth  Corps.  Moved  to  Lagrange  Nov.  4.  On  the  twenty- 
eighth  drove  the  enemy  across  the  Tallahatchie,  and  advanced  to 
the  Yocona  river.  Feb.  23,  1863,  moved  down  the  river  from 
Memphis  to  Lake  Providence,  and  March  17  went  into  camp  at 
Berry's  Landing.  April  18  moved  to  Milikin's  Bend,  and  on  the 
25th  commenced  the  campaign  against  Yicksburg.  On  the  30th 
crossed  the  river  sixty  miles  below  Vicksburg,  and  the  following 
day  was  engaged  at  Thompson's  Hill.  Was  engaged  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Raymond,  Jackson  and  Champion  Hills,  May  12,  14  and  16r 
respectively,  and  during  the  entire  siege  of  Yicksburg,  including 
the  charge  on  the  fortification  and  assault  on  Fort  Hill.  On  the 
thirty-first  of  August  went  on  the  campaign  to  Monroe,  La.,  and 
Oct.  14  to  Brownsville,  and  was  in  the  battles  at  that  place  of  Oct. 
16  and  17.  Nov.  7  went  in  camp  at  Black  river,  and  on  the  25th 
engaged  in  a  prize  drill  with  five  other  regiments,  excelling 
all  others.  At  a  subsequent  contest  for  a  prize  banner  the  124th 
received  the  banner,  inscribed,  "  Excelsior  Eegiment,  Third 
Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps,"  from  the  hands  of  Major  General 
McPherson  for  excelling  in  soldierly  appearance,  discipline,  and 
drill.  Commenced  the  raid  to  Meriden,  Feb.  3,  1864.  Eeturned 
to  Yicksburg  March  4.  Was  engaged  at  Benton  on  May  7, 
and  10,  returned  to  Yicksburg  on  the  21st.  In  July  moved  with 
Gen.  Slocum  on  his  Jackson  campaign,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
sharp  fight  at  Jackson  Cross  roads  the  5th  and  7th.  In  Oct.  wa& 
in  campaign  to  White  river  and  Memphis.  Remained  at  Yickburg 
on  provost  duty  until  Feb.  25,  1865,  w^hen  it  moved  to  New  Or- 
leans. March  12,  embarked  for  Mobile,  moved  to  Dauphine  Is- 
land, and  up  Fish  river,  and  ccmmenced  the  siege  cf  Spanish 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  203 

Fort.  The  regiment  was  the  extreme  left  of  the  investing  line, 
and,  with  one-half  deployed  as  skirmishers,  drove  the  enemy 
within  their  fortifications.  The  regiment  started  for  Montgomery, 
April  13,  and  July  17,  1865,  started  home  for  muster  out;  arrived 
at  Chicago  Aug.  3,  and  mustered  out  the  15th.  One  hundred  and 
sixteen  men  in  this  regiment  were  from  this  county,  and  in  com- 
panies D  and  I.  But  one  was  killed,  fourteen  died,  and  six 
wounded. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    THIRTY- SEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Wood,  Quincy,  111.,  by 
Col.  John  Wood,  and  mustered  in  June  5,  1864,  for  one  hundred 
days.  On  June  9,  the  regiment  left  Quincy,  and  proceeded  to 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  it  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth  Brigade, 
District  of  Memphis,  Colonel  E.  L.  Baltwick,  89th  Wisconsin, 
commanding.  July  9,  assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Colonel 
John  Wood,  commanding,  and  was  stationed  on  the  Hernando 
road  on  picket  duty,  where,  on  the  twenty-first  of  August,  they 
were  attacked  by  General  Forrest;  being  on  the  extreme  outpost, 
they  were  the  first  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  suffered  more  than  any 
regiment  there  on  duty.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the 
United  States  service  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  4,  1864. 

There  were  in  this  regiment  from  McDonough  county  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-three  men,  in  four  different  companies,  C,  D,  G  and 
I.  Three  of  this  number  were  killed,  four  died,  four  wounded, 
and  twenty  taken  prisoners. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTY-FIRST    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  February  23,  1865,  for  one  year. 
From  Quincy  it  proceeded  to  Springfield,  where  it  received  its 
arms  and  accoutrements,  and  was  then  ordered  to  Nashville,  and 
on  March  7  marched  to  Murfreesboro,  and  then  by  rail  to  Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn.,  where  it  remained  drilling  and  engaged  in  picket 
and  guard  duty  and  scouting.  April  23,  Colonel  Woodall  was  de- 
tailed to  proceed  under  flag  of  truce  to  Macon,  Ga.,  via  Atlanta, 
to  communicate  with  Major-General  Wilson,  and  carry,  also, 
terms  offered  to  the  rebel  General  Warford  for  his  surrender,  to- 
gether with  that  of  his  command.  This  mission  he  executed  with 
credit  and  dispatch  and  was  complimented  by  his  commanding 
officer,  Brigadier-General  H.  M.  Judah. 


204 

May  2d,  ordered  to  proceed  to  Resaca,  Ga.,  thence  to  Calhoim 
and  Kingston,  where  the  regiment  arrived  May  12,  after  a  most 
tiresome  march.  The  regiment  marched  into  this  town  with  the 
precision  of  regulars,  as  it  was  here  they  were  to  receive  the  sur- 
render of  the  rebel  General  "Warford  and  his  command,  which 
was  done  on  the  13th,  14th  and  loth  of  May,  1865—10,400  rebels 
paroled  in  all. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Kingston  guarding  government  prop- 
erty, etc.  July  28,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Columbus,  Ga., 
where*,  January  24,  1866,  it  was  mustered  out  and  ordered  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge 
February  8,  1866. 

Of  this  regiment  188  were  McDonough  county  men,  of  whom 
but  four  died,  being  the  only  casualties,  as  far  as  known. 

BATTERY   H — SECOND    ARTILLERY. 

Battery  II,  Second  111.  Light  Artillery,  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  111.,  Dec.  1861,  by  Capt.  Andrew  Stenbeck,  and  was  mus- 
tered in  Dec.  31,  1861,  and  Feb.  6,  1862,  moved  to  Cairo,  111.,  and 
was  stationed  at  Fort  Holt.  One  section  moved  to  siege  Ft.  Pil- 
low, and  returned  to  Columbus,  Ky.  and  from  there  to  Henderson 
and  went  into  pursuit  of  Morgan,  Aug.  1.  One  section  moved  to 
Smithfield,  Ky.,  and  Sept.  4,  one  moved  to  Clarksville,  Tenn. 
Jan.  1,  1864,  sixty-five  men  re-enlisted  as  veteran,  and  were  fur- 
lough ed.  During  the  summer  of  1861,  the  men  of  the  battery 
were  mounted  and  armed,  as  cavalry,  and  used  in  scouting,  etc. 
Aug.  8,  engaged  the  enemy  at  Canton  and  Rockcastle  Ford,  Ky., 
and  subsequently  were  in  garrison  at  Clarksville,  until  July  15, 
1865,  when  the  battery  moved  to  Springfield,  111.,  for  muster  out, 
and  accordingly  July  29  was  mustered  out  of  service.  Fourteen 
men  of  this  battery  were  from  McDonough  county,  none  of  whom 
were  killed,  and  but  one  died. 

COMPANY    B — TENTH    MISSOURI   INFANTRY. 

At  the  first  call  for  300,000  men,  made  by  President  Lincoln  in 
1861,  Dr.  W.  F.  Bayne,  of  Macomb,  made  up  a  company,  and  im- 
mediately wrote  to  Springfield  and  tendered  its  service  to  Gov- 
ernor Yates.  The  Governor  informed  him  that,  as  he  had  already 
accepted  two  companies  from  McDonough  county,  and  that  being 
their  full  quota,  he  must  decline  any  more.  The  doctor,  with  his 
men,  not  desiring  to  quietly  submit  and  remain  at  home  in  time  of 
their  country's  peril,  concluded  to  go  to  Missouri  and  enlist,  that 


205 

State  being  unable  to  fill  her  quota.  They  accordingly  went  to 
St.  Louis  without  delay,  tendered  their  service,  and  was  accepted 
by  Governor  Gamble,  and  mustered  into  service  at  St.  Louis 
Arsenal,  as  Co.  B  ;  was  put  on  detached  duty  until  1862,  when  they 
were  assigned  to  the  10th  Missouri  Infantry,  Second  Brigade, 
Third  Division,  Army  of  the  Mississippi.  The  doctor  received 
the  commission  of  Captain,  and  for  two  years  (having  to  resign  on 
account  of  ill  health)  led  the  company  through  many  of  the  hot- 
test engagements  of  the  rebellion.  Very  soon  after  the  Captain 
had  been  commissioned  he  received  a  letter  from  Governor  Yates 
accepting  the  services  of  his  company,  stating  that  when  the  two 
companies  referred  to  came  to  muster  they  had  only  men  enough 
for  one.  This  letter  was  received  too  late  to  effect  any  change. 
Had  it  arrived  a  few  hours  earlier  Captain  Bayne  and  his  com- 
pany would  have  been  in  the  28th  Illinois  Yoluuteeers.  One  of 
the  most  efficient  regiments  engaged  in  the  suppression  of  the  re- 
bellion was  the  10th  Missouri  Infantry,  and  no  company  of  that 
regiment  did  better  service  or  has  a  brighter  record  than  Co.  B,  of 
McDonough  couirty. 

Many  of  those  enlisting  in  1861  never  returned  to  their  homes, 
still  there  are  a  few  of  the  brave  boys  scattered  here  and  there 
over  the  country  who,  sixteen  years  ago,  were  so  resolutely  deter- 
mined to  defend  their  country.  The  following  are  some  of  the 
more  prominent  engagements  in  which  Co.  B  took  an  active  part : 
Corinth,  in  the  spring  of  1862 ;  luka,  September,  1862 ;  Corinth, 
Oct.  3  and  4, 1862  ;  Raymond,  Miss.,  May  12,  1863  ;  Jackson,  May 
14,  1863,  and  Champion  Hills,  May  16.  The  company  was  before 
Yicksburg  during  the  siege,  from  May  18  to  July  4,  1863. 

OFFICERS  AND  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  COMPANY  B,  TENTH  MISSOURI  INFANTRY. 

Captain,  William  F.  Bayne;  First  Lieutenant,  James  E.  Flem- 
ing; Second  Lieutenant,  Jerry  Randolph  ;  First  Sergeant,  David 
S.  Randolph  ;  Second  Sergeant,  James  McClelland ;  Third  Ser- 
geant, Calvin  R.  Single  ;  Fourth  Sergeant,  James  F.  Jones  ;  Fifth 
Sergeant,  John  H.  Moore;  Corporals,  James  F.  Greenup,  Russell 
T.  Stokes,  James  W.  Harlan,  John  Matheny,  Crawford  J.  Lindsey, 
Crawford  Cubbiaon,  Isaac  Halterman,  John  W.  Clark.  Fifer, 
Charles  Morris.  Drummer,  John  W.  Foley.  Privates,  Samuel 
Baldwin,  George  "\Y.  Baney,  Reece  W.  Barnes,  Andrew  J.  Clark, 
Presley  Cubbinson,  Daniel  A.  Camp,  AVilliam  H.  Davis,  Thomas 


206  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

J.  Ferguson,  Francis  M.  Fleming,  John  H.  Fair,  Samuel  II.  Fris- 
clive,  Edwin  A.  Farley,  Albert  Freas,  Robert  F.  Frances,  Hiram 
P.  Howe,  Anderson  D.  Hainline,  Joseph  Hensley,  William  O. 
Hoskinsou,  John  Horton,  William  R.  Kirk,  John  P.  Lane,  Wil- 
liam P.  Leaphart,  William  T.  Moore,  Robert  J.  Mills,  David  E. 
Marler,  Richard  A.  Morris,  John  Melvin,  William  !N".  McGraw, 
Isaac  D.  Morgan,  Robert  S.  Morgan,  David  H.  McCartney,  John 
W.  Myers,  Thomas  J.  Martin,  David  C.  Newell,  Harvey  Oatman, 
William  B.  Rice,  Edward  C.  Rabbit,  Louis  Roberts,  George  A. 
Robinson,  Hiram  L.  Sweeny,  John  M.  Sweeny,  William  S.  Stokes, 
William  II.  Stevens,  George  Sherwood,  George  W.  Thompson, 
Leander  C.  Twichel,  John  E.  Vance,  Isaac  N.  Yanlloesen,  John 
Wooley,  Milton  Woolridge,  W.  H.  Woods,  Felix  B.  White, 
William  H.  Young. 

SUMMARY. 

We  find,  under  the  various  calls,  McDonough  county  was  called 
upon  to  raise  2,737  men.  By  the  reports  of  the  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral of  the  State  we  learn  that  there  were  credited  to  the  county 
2,734,  leaving  a  deficit  of  three  men.  If  the  seventy-one  men  en- 
listing in  the  10th  Missouri  infantry  had  been  duly  credited  to 
the  county,  together  with  many  enlisting  in  companies  made  up 
principally  and  credited  wholly  to  other  counties,  WQ  would  have 
exceeded  our  quota  by  at  least  two  hundred  men.  Only  about 
twenty  of  the  one  hundred  and  two  counties  in  the  State  furnished 
as  great  a  number  proportionately. 

McDonough  county  was  represented  in  thirty-three  regiments 
and  in  seventy-eight  companies.  There  were  sixty-nine  men 
killed  in  battle,  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  wounded,  and  one 
hundred  and  seventy-six  died  while  in  the  service,  of  whom  we 
have  no  record. 

Below  will  be  found  a  carefully  compiled  statement  taken  from 
the  reports  of  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  State  and  revised  in 
great  part  by  some  one  familiar  with  each  regiment  and  company. 
We  have  tried  to  make  it  correct  and  reliable,  having  spent  many 
days  in  the  work  of  compilation. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  207 

SECOND   ARTILLERY. 

BATTERY    H. 

Sergeant  Jonas  Eckdall,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Promoted  to  1st  lieutenant. 

Clark,  Peter,  Sr.,  Maconib,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Discharged  March  25, 1863;  disability. 

Clark,  Peter,  Jr..  Maeorab,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Discharged  March  25,  1863;  disability. 

Rutishamer,  Jacob.  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Died  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  April  4,  1862. 

Smith,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Ju]y  29,  'C5. 

Waldrick,  Patrick.  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Deserted  Aug.  31,  1862. 

Corporal  Newton  Jellison,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  23,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Jellison,  John,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  22,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

McCarthy,  John,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  23,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Megan,  Martin,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  23, 1864.    Discharged  May  25, 1865  ;  disability. 

Stewart,  Charles,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  2,  1864. 

Whitten.  James,  Macomb.  re-enlisted  Jan.  1, 1864.    Mustered  out  July  29, 1865. 

Walter,  Isadore,  Macomb,  re-enlisted  Jan.  23,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

BATTERY    K. 

Fishbourne,  Thoma«,  Macomb,  May  23,  1861. 

Harris,  Columbus,  Middletown,  Feb.  1,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  14,  18C5. 

SECOND  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    H. 

Captain  Jam^s  D.  Walker,  Macomb,  commissioned  Aug.  24,  1861.    Resigned  Jan.  17, 1862. 

Captain  Josephus  B.  Venard,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  20,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  22, 1865. 

First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Naylor,  Macomb.  commissioned  July  20, 1864.  Must'd  out  Nov.  22/65. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  Charles  H.  Rogers,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Deserted  Oct.  1, 1862. 

Sergeant  William  Venable,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Disch'd  Aug.  11,  1864;  term  expired. 

Corporal  Gabriel  Jones,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Corporal  John  Shipman,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
Nov.  22,  1865. 

Corporal  Thomns  Kays,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  July  3,  1863;  disability. 

Corporal  John  Venard,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11, 1864. 

Corporal  Oliver  Williams,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Buglar  William  H.  Hudson,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Buglar  Frank  R.  Kyle,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Jan.  2,  1865;  disability. 

Saddler  James  Ellis.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Died  July  4,  1863. 

Austin,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  25,  1862;  disability. 

Bartleson,  Charles.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864  ;  corporal. 

Brown,  William.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Transferred  to  Co.  I,  4th  U.  S.  cavalry. 

Chase,  James  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Halliday,  Thomas.  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6, 1862. 

Calvin,  Henry  C..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.     Mortally  wounded  Nov.  11,  1863. 

Davis,  George,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Died  at  Trenton,  Tenn.,  Aug.  16,  1862. 

Hamilton,  Thomas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
Nov.  22,  1865. 

Hanson,  Nels,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.     Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  must'd  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 

Hogan,  Augustus,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug,  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864,  term  expired. 

Ingram,  Riley,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran.  Mustered  out  Nov. 
22,  1865. 

Jacobs.  Mark  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Johnston,  Henry,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  April  14,  1863. 

Kphule,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  ti,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  Ls64. 

Kinkade,  Mack,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.     Discharged  March  16, 1862. 

Limberge,  Henry,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  promoted  to  Sergeant* 
Major. 

Morgan,  James  G.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11, 1864. 

McMahon,  Thad.  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.    Discharged  for  promotion  Aug.  1, 18*2. 

Munson,  William  F.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1862. 

Metis,  John  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  deserted  Sept.  11,  1865. 

McClure,  James.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  March  20,  1862,  disability. 

Martin,  Charles  E.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.     Discharged  Aug.  11, 1864. 

Markham,  Daniel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Markham,  Henry  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Norwood,  Douglas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  18,  1862. 

Oertel,  Jacob,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.    Killed  at  Holly  Springs,  Dec.  20,  1862. 

Payton,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  for  promotion,  June  13,  1863. 

Rickets,  Rival,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.     Discharged  March  20. 1862,  disability. 

Rickets,  Green,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  18,  1862.  disability. 

Seiberling.  Henry  M,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11, 1864,  Corporal. 

Shannon,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864,  Corporal. 

Tyson,  Charles  F.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Promoted  Commissary  Sergeant  Nov.  1, 1862. 

Walker,  Samuel  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  for  promotion  Aug.  1,  1862. 

Welkin,  Ohio,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  May  5, 1862. 

Warren,  Edward  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1861.    Discharged  March  25,  1862. 

Wright,  Thomas,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1861.    Discharged  for  promotion  June  13,  1863. 


208  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Yaple,  Oscar,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  11,  1864. 

Beck,  James  E.,  Macomb,  enlisted  August  12,  1862.    Ke-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June  11, 
1865,  Corporal. 

Beck,  Jessie,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862.    Discharged  June  15, 1863;  disability,  wounds. 

Bently,  George  R.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  25,  1862.    Discharged  March  15,  1863. 

Butcher,  Bowman  R.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June 
11,  1865. 

Butcher,  John  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June 
11,  1865. 

Butcher,  Preston,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June 
11,  1865. 

Ballou,  Charles,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  16,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  22, 1865. 

Cockerham,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June 
11,  1865,  Corporal. 

Curtis,  Edward  E.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Killed  at  Sabine,  La.,  April  8. 1861. 

Clugston,  Warren,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Discharged  Oct.  13,  1862,  disability. 

Cockerham,  Daniel,  Tennessee,  enlisted  March  28,  1864.    Mustered  out  June  22,  1865. 

Dark,  Samuel  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862.    Discharged  Dec.  18,  1863,  disability. 

Dunham,  George,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.   16,   1864.    Transferred  to  Company  E.,  mustered 
Out  June  22,  1805. 

Freeland,  Charles,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  5,  1863.    Mustered  out  May  27,  18(55. 

Edward,  Edmonds,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  15,  1861.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  Blustered   out  Nov. 
22,  1865. 

Huff,  James  E.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  5,  1863.    Mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 

Jackson,  Edwin,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14,  1862.     Mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 

Jewett,  A.  V.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  27,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  11, 1865. 

Kinkade,  John  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Died  at  Carrollton,  La.,  Aug.  23,  1863. 

Keithley,  Andrew,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  5.  1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nor. 
22, 1865. 

Knowles,  Robertson  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8, 1862.     Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out 
June  11,  1865. 

Lee,  George  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  5,  1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  C.,  deserted  Sept.  29,  1865. 

Markham,  Aaron,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  died  at  Baton  Rouge, 
La. 

Markham,  Daniel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 

Markham,  Archey,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June  11, 
1865. 

Michaels,  William  F.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  5,  1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out 
Nov.  22,  18(55. 

Morgan,  Isaac  L.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Nov.  24, 1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  23, 
1865. 

Pace,  Andrew  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  June  11, 
1865. 

Rickets,  Pleasant  G.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  5,  1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out 
Nov.  22, 1865. 

Rouse,  Levi  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864.    Veteran  recruit. 

Sullivan,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  11,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  2 
1865. 

Schultz,  John  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  11,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 

Tift,  Semer  B.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864.    Mustered  out  Oct.  22,  1865. 

"Venard,  Josephus  B..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1861.    Promoted  Captain. 

Tift,  Silas  J.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 
Venard,  George  G.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8. 1862.    Discharged  March  15,  1863. 

Wagle,  William  A.,  Middletown,  enlisted  March  26,  1864.     Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out 
Nov.  22,  1865. 

Wright,  Hiram  B,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Jan.  18, 1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov. 
22,  1864. 

Webb,  Silas  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov. 
22,  1865. 

Chapman,  Amos,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 

Dickens,  Joshua,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1.  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 

Lightfood,  Armsted.  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 

Scott,  Thomas,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1864.    Transferred  to  Co.  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22, 
1865. 

SEVENTH  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    K. 

.  Adams.  Matthew,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  3,  1865.    Absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 
Gustasson,  Alexander,  Prairie  City,  March  3,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Jamieson,  Lewis  M.,  Prairie  City,  March  3,  1S65.    Mustered  out  Sect.  27,  1865. 
Nelson,  Enoch,  Prairie  City,  March  3, 1865.    Died  at  Louisville,  Ky  ,  Sept.  29,  1865. 
Smith,  Lewis  M.,  Prairie  City,  Feb.  2,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

COMPANY    L. 

Captain  George  M.  Scott,  Bushnell,  commmissioned  Aug  21,  1861.    Resigned  July  3,  1862. 
Captain  Squire  A.  Epperson,  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  3,  1862.    Term  expired  Nov.  12,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DQNOUGH  COUNTY.  209 

Captain  Daniel  M.  Wilt,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Nov.  12,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1S65. 

First  Lieutenant  Warren  W.  Porter,  New  Salem,  commissioned  Aug.  21, 1861.    Term  expired  Oct. 
15, 1864. 

st  Lieutenant  James  Price.  Eldorado,  commissioned  Oct.  15,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Squire  A.  Epperson,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Aug.  21,  1861.    Promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  Daniel  M.  Wilt,  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  3,  1862.    Promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  Elijah  F.  Martin,  Bushnell,  commissioned  April  25,  1865.    Commission  can- 
celled. 

Second  Lieutenant  Lewis  Pickel,  New  Salem,  commissioned  Aug.  11, 1865.    Mustered  out  Nov. 
4,1865. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  Alexander  W.  Scott,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  Nov.  5,  1865. 

Sergeant  Israel  Markham,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Sergeant  James  W.  Lancy,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1.  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Sergeant  John  R.  Sperling,  BushneU,  enlisted  Sept.  1.  1861.    Mustered  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Sergeant  Eliab  Martin,  BushneD,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Re-enlisted  veteran,  mustered  out  Nor. 
5,1865. 

Corporal  Lester  Husted,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.  Mustered  out  Sept.  2, 1864,  wounded. 

Corporal  Alexander  Lockard,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Killed  at  Birds  Point,  Mo.,  Jan. 
10.  1862. 

Corporal  John  T.  Lancy,  Bushnell,  enlisted    Sept.  1,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  23,  1862,  disability. 

Corporal  Henry  B.  Parvin,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  ].  1S61.     Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Corporal  George  Stansbury,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Dewey,  George   I.,  Prarie  City,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.      Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out 
Nov.  4.  1865. 

Francis,  Henry  H,,  Colchester,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Re-enlisted  veteran,  mustered  out  JSov.  4,. 
1865, 

Hammer,  John.  Bardolph,  Sept.  1,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Harris,  Alexander,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Discharged  May  16,  1862,  disability. 

Hopwood,  Josephus,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  25, 1864. 

Lambert,  David,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.  Re-enlisted  veteran,corporal,  sick  at  muster  out. 

Lair.  Daniel,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept,  1, 1861.    Killed  at  Birds  Point,  Mo,  Jan.  10, 1862. 

Long,  Henry,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1. 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  Nov.  5,  1865. 

Meyers,  Christian,  Bushuell,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.    Killed  at  Birds  Point,  Mo.,  Jan.  10, 1862. 

Myers,  Frederick,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.    Discharged  Oct.  15, 1862,  disability. 

Price,  James,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  promoted. 

Schall,  Samuel  S.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Died  at  Oxford,  Miss.,  Dec.  7, 1862,  wounds. 

Wilt,  Daniel  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept,  1.  1861.    Promoted. 

Wilson,  James  M..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864, 

Wilson,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  1, 1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Adcock,  Joseph,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Nov.  2,  Ib61.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  8» 
1865. 

Atkinson,  Charles,  Macoiub,  enlisted  Nov.  3,  1861.    Mustered  out  Oct.  15, 1864. 

Adock,  George  L.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  22,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 

Allison,  Samuel,  Bethel,  enlisted  April  4,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Brown,  William  B.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  August  28, 1862.    Mustered  out  July  12, 1865. 

Burnett,  Daniel  D.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Axigust  20,  1862.    Discharged  April  8,  1863,  disability. 

Boughner,  Christian,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Campbell,  Jehn  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  April  7,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 

Epperson,  John  L.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  '20,  1862.    Mustered  out  July  12, 1865 

Husted,  Marion,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Eveland,  Charles  B.,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865.    Mustered  outNov.  4, 1865. 

Elliott,  Jasper  S.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  March  1, 1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 

Henry,  Lorenzo  D.,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 

Johnson,  Nathaniel  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  4,  1862..    Mustered  out  July  12,  1865. 

Jones,  Thomas  G.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Matthewson,  Josiah  C.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  August  24.  1S62.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Mitchell.  Levi.  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  2,  1862.    Mustered  out  July  12,  1863. 

McDermott,  Patrick,  New  Salem,  enlisted  December  16,  1863.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Markham,  Frank,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Aug,  20,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  12.  1865. 

Markham,  Hirarn,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  3.  1861.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Markham,  Harrison,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865.     Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

McGinnis,  John.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Myers.  James  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4, 1865. 
ure,  Winslow,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865.    Mustered  out  June  22,  1865. 

Park,  William  B.,  New  Salem^enlisted  August  11, 1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  14, 1863. 

Pyle,  Benjamin  F.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  20, 1862.    Died  at  LaGrange,  Tenn.,  Feb.  15,  1863. 

Schall,  John  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  2,  1861.    Discharged  May  6,  1862,  disability. 

Scott,  Seymore  R.,  Mound,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.     Mustered  out  Ar.g,  23,  1865, 

Thompson,  Henry.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug,  4,  1862.    Died  »t  Memphis,  May  5,  1864. 

Wissler,  Jonas,  New  Salem,  enlisted  March  1, 1862.    Mustered  out  March  11,  1865. 

Willis,  William  H..  New  Salem,  enlisted  April  11,  1864.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Wooley,  Lewis  B.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  28.  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1875. 

White,  William  J.,  Mound,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

EIGHTH  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    G. 

Danley,  William  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14, 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  absent  sick  at 
muster  out. 
Delaney,  Dennis,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  17,. 


210  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Edmiston,  James  C.,  Maoomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
17,  1865. 

Luton,  Samuel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  4,  1862 ;  disability. 

Luther,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865. 

Lear,  John  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14,  18(51.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  absent  sick  at  muster 
out. 

O'Brian ,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  discharged  Feb.  9, 1865 ; 
disability. 

Woolary,  George,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  14.  1861.    Died  at  Camp  Relief,  D.  C.,  May  20,  1864. 

ELEVENTH   CAY  ALE  Y. 

COMPANY    I. 

Captain  Harvey  T.  Gregg,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  April  18, 1862.    Resigned  Sept.  23, 1862. 

Captain  William  R.  Hays,  Blandmsville,  commissioned  Sept.  23, 1862.  Promoted  Major ;  mustered 
•out  Julyl,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Joseph  Edell,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  June  6,1865.  Mustered  out  Sept. 
30,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  H.  Hays,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  Sept.  23, 1862.  Dismissed  Aug. 
26,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  C.  Fuller,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  6,  1865.  Mustered  out  Sept. 
30,  1865. 

Sergeant  John  H.  Hays,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  7, 1861.    Promoted. 

Sergeant  Martin  V.  Owen,  Blandinsviile,  enlisted  Oct.  10.  1861. 

Corporal  Theophilus  Speillman,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ; 
mustered  out  Sept.  30, 1865. 

Corporal  Robert  S.  Brooking,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  15,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered 
out  Sept.  30, 1865. 

Corporal  Adam  S.  Zimmermann,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Oct.  17,  1861. 

Butterfield,  C.  \V..  Middle  town,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1801.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Camp,  Edward  S.  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15,  1861.    Discharged. 

Calkins,  George  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted   Nov.  15. 1861.    Drowned  in  Clear  creek  while  scouting. 

Cox,  R.  S.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Feb.  11, 
1864. 

Davidson,  Henry  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Duncan,  Elijah,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  2,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Edell,  Joseph,  Blaudinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15, 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted. 

Friend,  Thomas  J.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Nov.  7,  1861.    Discharged  Jan.  8,  1863. 

Freelarid,  Fleming  F.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran:  mustered 
-out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Gates,  George  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  20, 1861.    Killed  at  Bethel,  Tenn.,  June  18, 1862. 

Graves.  William  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov,  10,  1861. 

Gove,  Charles,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Nov.  15, 1861.  Re-enlisted  veteran  ;  discharged  Aug.  12,  1865. 

Hays,  Levi  S.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15,  1831.    Discharged  Jan.  26,  1862. 

Holler,  Joseph,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  30, 
1366. 

Hume,  Robert  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  15,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Keithley,  Francis  M.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  7, 1861.    Discharged  June  7, 1862. 

Kirkpatrick,  William  B.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  7,  1861. 

Lowe,  Austin,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Sept. 
30.  1865. 

McKinney,  Ephraim,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.    Died  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Metcalf,  William  E.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.     Discharged  Aug.  21,  1862. 

Mayhugh,  McCullum,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered 
out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

McQueen,  Arlow.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  14, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Sept.  30. 
1865. 

Pennington,  Thomas,  Industry,  enlisted  Nov.  15,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865. 

Pennington,  Allen,  Industry,  enlisted  Nov.  15, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  discharged  Aug.  4 , 
1865;  disability. 

Schenck,  Phillip,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861.    Died  at  St.  Louis,  Aug.  1, 1862. 

Spirva,  F.  M.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  30, 
1865. 

Webster,  Francis  B.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861,  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Sept. 
30, 1865. 

Weston,  Benjamin  F..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Nov.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30,  1865 ;  sergeant. 

Bushnell,  Homer,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  25, 1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Bughman,  James  K.  P  ,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  26, 1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Bailey,  W7illiam  S.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  March  22,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1365. 

Butler,  Ozias,  Blandinsville,  enlisted,  Jan.  1,  1862.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Sept. 
30,  1865. 

Butler,  Harry  R.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Jan.  1, 1862.    Discharged  Oct.  25,  1862. 

Courson,  Andrew,  Walnut  Gove,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Cunningham,  William.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  4,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  211 

Coe.  Edward  D.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Oct.  15. 1862.    Discharged  Oct.  31,  1863,  for  promotion. 
Davis.  Reuben  A.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  4,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Durham,  William  A.,    Industry,   enlisted  Jan.  1,   1862.    Re-enlisted  as   veteran ;  mustered  out 
Sept.  3i-. 
Duncan,  Elias.  Blandinsville.  enlisted  March  1, 1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Sept. 

Edell,  Louis.  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Dec.  28,  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  24,  1862. 

Foster.  William  H..  Wainut  Grove,  enlisted  March  7,  1862.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Farris,  William  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Jau.  1.  1862.    Deserted  June  1,  1862. 

Gove,  Benjamin  F..  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30.  1805  ;  sergeant. 

Grigsby,  Redmond.  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  30, 1864. 

Hays.  George  W.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  March  25,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Mainline.  Nathan  G.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  22,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Jackson,  Henry  D.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March 25,  1864.    Mustered  out  May  22, 1865. 

Jackson,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  1,  1862.    Died  at  St.  Louis,  June  18, 1862. 

Luthey,  Francis  A.,  Blandinsvile,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.    Discharged  Feb.  2,  1863. 

Lillard.  Augustus.  Middletown.  enlisted  Jan.  2, 1862.    Discharged  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Mitchell.  Marcellns.  Macomb.  enlisted  March  30,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Moore.  William  W.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862. 

Millington.  German,  Bushnell,  enlisted  March  1, 1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out. 

McQueen.  Norman.  Bushnall,  enlisted  March  1,  1862.    Discharged  Aug.  21,  1862. 

Pennington,  Francis  M.,  Industry,  enlisted  April  1,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30, 1865. 

Pennington,  Stewart  M.,  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out 
Sept.  30.  1865:  sergeant. 

Pennington,  William  R..  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  1, 1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
May  16,  1*64. 

Penningtou,  John  L..  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  1, 1862.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Sept. 
30.  1865 ;  corporal. 

Snyder.  Henry.  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Jan.  1, 1862.    Deserted  Feb.  1.  1862. 

Titus.  John  M".  Blandinsville,  enlisted  March  26.  1864.     Died  at  Vicksburg,  July  26, 1864. 

Wyman,  J.  Alexander.  Blandinsville.  enlisted  March  31,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Willard.  Reiley,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  4,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

\Villiams,  Reuben.  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  1,  1862. 

York,  Francis,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  promoted  to  chief 
bugler. 

COMPANY    G. 
Pixley,  Enoch,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1861.    Mustered  out  June  1,  1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

Botkins.  Ira  B..  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30, 1865. 
Harvermail,  Mont.  H..  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Hefley.  William.  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1865.    Transferred  to  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
Johnson.  Edwin  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Johnson;  Sylvanus  B.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Aug.  10,  1865. 
Little,  Henry  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Morse,  William  H.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Ratikin.  Silas  E.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14, 1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30, 1865. 
Shultz.  David  A.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30. 1865. 
Sweegle.  Robert,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  3, 1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30. 1865. 
Sweegle.  John.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  March  3,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Vandal),  Charles  W.,  Blaridins?ille,.  enlisted  March  31,  1864.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

COMPANY    L. 

Gleason,  William  H.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Feb.  14,  186-5.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Martin.  George.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  Sept.  30,  1865. 

COMPANY    M. 
C  tptain  John  A.  Gray.  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  5,  1864.    Time  expired  Dec.  19,  1864. 

TWELFTH  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    D. 

Sergeant  Dan  ford  Taylor,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.    Promoted. 

Arter,  William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Blazer,  David,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862.    Discharged  Oct.  15.  1864  :  disability. 

Doran,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  1, 1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Loftis.  Benjamin,  Macomb,  enlisted  Mar.  7,  1862.    Deserted  May  10, 1862. 

Whitsel,  Henry,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec   19,  1861.    Deserted  May  24,  1862. 

Bryle.  Charles  R.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  10,  1883. 

Murphy.  C.  R.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  15,  1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  D,  as  consolidated. 

Miller, "Frank,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  June  10,  1862.    Transferred  to  Co.  D,  as  consolidated. 


212  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

COMPANY  L. 

Alden,  John  H.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  23, 1863.    Transferred  to  Co.  G,  as  consolidated. 

Poster,  James,  Macomb,  enl'isted  Dec.  17,  1863.    Mustered  out  Jan.  19,  1866. 

Fouts,  John  C.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  23, 1863. 

Giles,  Daniel  F.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  26, 1863.    Died  at  Napoleonville,  La. 

Hinesman,  John  C.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  2,  1S63.      Mustered  out  May  29, 1866,  as  sergeant. 

Hughson  Jacob  D.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  11,  1863.    Mustered  out  May  29,  1866,  as  corporal. 

Lipsey,  James  B.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  21, 1863.    Deserted  July  16,  1865. 

Martin,  Norton  D.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  12,  1863. 

Morgan,  George  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  30, 1863.    Mustered  out  Dec.  21, 1865. 

Montrose,  Charles,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  21,  1883.    Mustered  out  May  29,  18f>6. 

Nichols  George  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  23,  1863.     Mustered  out  May  29, 1866. 

Robb,  Francis  C.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  28,  1863.    Mustered  out  May  29,  1866. 

Sapp  Calvin  A.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  22,  1863.    Discharged  June  26,  1864  ;  disability. 

Shultz,  Josiah  M.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  22,  1863.    Mustered  out  Aug.  28,  1865. 

Tanner,  William,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1863. 

Tainter,  David  N.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  3,  1863. 

Thompson,  John  S.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  28,  1863. 

Wentzel,  Abram,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  4, 1863.    Mustered  out  May  29,  1866. 

COMPANY  M. 

Brassfield,  James,  Middletown,  enlisted  Jan.  4, 1864.    Deserted  June  16, 1865. 
David,  John  F.,  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1861.    Mustered  out  Mar.  30,  1866,  as  sergeant. 
Mitchell.  Theodore,  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1864.    Died  at  Napoleonviile,  La.,  Aug.  2,  1864. 
Toland,  James  B.,  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  4, 1864. 

SIXTEENTH  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    L. 

Commissary  Sergeant  James  C.  Canfield,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  16,  1862.  Died  at  Richmond, 
Va.,  Mar.  5,  1864,  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Corporal  Joseph  Markham,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  7, 1862.    Deserted  May  25, 1803. 

Able,  Thomas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Jan.  13, 1863.  Farrier;  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  July  1, 
1864  ;  No  of  grave,  2,415. 

Beard,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  8, 1862.    Died  at  Vandalia,  of  wounds. 

FuUz,  Frederick,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  7, 1862.  Prisoner  in  hospital  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  at  mus- 
ter out  of  regiment. 

Beardsley,  Bartemus,  Middletown,  enlisted  Aug.  24, 1863.  Mustered  out  Aug.  19, 1865 ;  was  pris- 
oner. 

Beliew,  Henry  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  July  4, 1863.  Died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Mar.  1,  1864,  while  a 
prisoner  of  war. 

Cochran,  Mahlon  B.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Aug.  24,  1863.    Prisoner;  mustered  out  July  1,1865. 

Howard,  Joseph  T.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Aug.  24, 1862.    Prisoner ;  mustered  out  Oct.  19, 1865. 

SIXTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

ROSTER   OF    OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Samuel  Wilson,  Colchester,  commissioned  May  13, 1861.    Resigned  Sept.  3,  '62. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  James  A.  Chapman,  Macornb,  commissioned  Oct.  31,  1864.  Term  expired  and 
mustered  out,  Dec.  31,  1864. 

Quartermaster  Thomas  J.  Coulter,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  24,  1861.  Honorably  discharged 
Nov.  25, 1863,  and  transferred  to  brierade  quartermaster. 

Hospital  Steward  Patrick  H.  Delany,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  23, 1863.     Mustered  out  June  28, 1865. 

Principal  Musician  Enoch  Welker,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Mustered  out  June  28, 1865. 

COMPANY   A. 

Captain  Virgil  Y.  Ralston,  Macomb,  commissioned  April  26, 1861.     Resigned  Mar.  13,  1862. 

Captain  Benjamin  F.  Pinkley,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Mar.  13,  1862.    Resigned  July  11, 1862. 

Captain  Eben  White,  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  16,  1862.    Died  of  wounds  May  18,  1865. 

Captain  Ambrose  Updegraff,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  3,  1865.    Mustered  out  July  8, 1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  F.  Pinkley,  Bushnell,  commissioned  April  26,  1861,    Promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  W.  Gash,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept,  7,  1863.    Term  exp'd  Dec.  28,  '64. 

First  Lieutenant  John  V.  Mason,  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  3, 1865.    Mustered  out  July  8,  '65. 

Second  Lieutenant  Hiram  H.  Bartholomew.  Macomb,  May  3,  1861.    Promoted  1st  lieutenant. 

First  Sergeant  Henry  W.  Gash,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Promoted  2d  lieutenant. 

Sergeant  Clark  C.  Morse,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th.  Illinois  Infantry, 
Jan.  1, 1864. 

Sergeant  John  E.  Lane,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24, 1861. 

Sergeant  Charles  L.  Sanders,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Infan- 
try, Jan.  1,  1864. 

Corporal  Joseph  M.  Gaston,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered 
out.  July  8,  1865. 

Corporal  Marsh  B.  Burr,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  213 

Corporal  William  H.  Bonhara.  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Mustered  out  June  23,  1864. 
Corporal  John  V.  Mason,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 

Corporal  John  C.  Bell,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  24,  1862. 

Corporal  William  Morrison,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  promoted 
corporal,  and  mustered  out. 

Corporal  James  L.  Mainline,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1S61.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  discharged 
June  30,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds. 

Corporal  William  F.  Bane.  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted  2d 
lieutenant,  nnd  mustered  out. 

Musician  Enoch  Welker,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted  prin- 


P.  Danley,  Macorab.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Dec.  16,  1861. 
Adams,  Edward  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 
Allison,  Joshua,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  >. 

Brandon,  Calvin  K.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Bell  James  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  186L      Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  must'd  out  July  8,  1865. 

Brooks,  Harrison,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Discharged  July  9,  1862. 

Chapman,  Thomas  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861. 

Clarke,  Benjamin  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
while  absent  sick. 

Doran,  William  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Discharged  Dec.  16,  1861. 

Delaney,  Patrick  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted. 

Ervin,  James.  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  '65. 

Fishbourne,  Thomas  M..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1864. 

Forrest,  James  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1885. 

Franklin,  William  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
July  8,  1865. 

Gordon.  Harrison,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf.,  Jan.  1.  1864, 

Graham,  John  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  21,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th,  Illinois  Infantry  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Grooms,  Nathaniel  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Gash,  George  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Feb.  3,  1862. 

Mainline,  Baxter,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  veteran,  mustered  out  absence  on 
furlough. 

Mainline,  George  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  R  .--enlisted  veteran,  killed  at  Bentonville, 
March  20,  1865, 

Mainline,  William  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1S61.  Re-enlisted  veteran,  promoted,  mus- 
tered out  July  8.  : 

Hampton,  Van  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  111.  Infantry.  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Hampton,  Harrison  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  111.  Infantry,  Jan. 
1.  1864.  Died. 

Hart.  Henry,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Died  June  2,  1862. 

Hayden,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Head,  William  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Mustered  out  June  23,  1864. 

Hendricksou,  James  F,,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
8.  1865. 

Henderson.  Edward  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Deserted  Oct.  24,  1861. 

Hicks,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Hook,  Charles,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Hurlev,  Edward,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mav  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out*  July  8T 
1865. 

Kelly,  rxhvin  D.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  killed  at  Jonesboro, 
Sept.  7,  ]M',4. 

Kendrick.  Nathaniel  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Jan.  14,  1862. 

King.  William  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.     Discharged  Aug.  12,  1862. 

Lea,  Archibald  T  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  July  21,  1H52. 

Logan,  William,  Bushuell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Loucks,  Wellington,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Lane,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1S61.    Discharged  June  3,  1862. 

Lane,  Cyrus,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-emisted  as  veteran;  missing  since  the  battle  of 
Bentonville. 

Mattison,  David  W..  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re  enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out. 

Morrison,  Robert,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mav  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  Julv  8, 
1865. 

Montague,  Charles,  Macomb,.enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Dec.  16,  1861. 

McCartiiev.  John  M..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
8,  1865. 

Merrick,  Charles  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

McCnrdy,  Martin.  Industry,  enlisted  May  24,  1»61.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  8. 
1865. 

Overstreot,  William  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Price,  Miles.  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  2,  1862. 

Prentice,  William  H.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  transferred  to  1st 
I".  S.  Engineer  Veteran  Volunteer  Regiment. 

Rutherford,  Robert  A..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  15.  1862. 

Sackett,  Charles,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Discharged  Nov.  17,  1861;  sentenced  court- 
martial  . 

Shannon  Aaron,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861,    Discharged  July  29,  1862. 

Slocum,  George,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out. 

H—  14 


214  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Speake,  Richard  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  discharged  June 
10,  1865 :  wounded. 

Spear,  James  T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enliJ>ted  as  veteran. 

Spencer,  Benjamin,  F.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1801.    Discharged  July  9,  1862. 

Sperry,  Oren,  Bushnell.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  died  May  31, 1864. 

Stainbrook,  James  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
July8,  J865. 

Strenge,  George,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July 
8,  1865. 

Simmons.  Fletcher  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  March  24, 1861.    Discharged  July  29,  1862. 

Shrader.  John  B.,  M*comb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  July  29,  1862. 

Taylor,  Thomas  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July 
8,  186o. 

Taylor,  Aluert,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Thomas,  Lloyd,  Jr.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1S61.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
8,  1865. 

Thomas,  Able,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  July  9,  1862. 

Thompson,  Ellis,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Updegraff.  Ambrose,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted. 

Waters,  Charles,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  diett  April  24,  1865, 
wounded. 

Wheeler,  George,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  discharged  June  30, 
1865,  wounded. 

Wood,  Wesley  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24. 1861.    Transferred  to  Sixtieth  Illinois,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

William,  Benjamin  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  30, 1861. 

White,  Eben,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Promoted  Q.  M.  S.  and  Captain. 

Crowl,  John  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Jan.  28,  1864.    Killed  at  Bentonville  March  20,  1865. 

Campbell,  John  T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9, 1864.    Mustered  out. 

Clark,  Richard  J  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Ellis,  Alvin  C.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  4, 1864.    Mustered  out  July  8.  1865. 

Fox,  Hugh,  Bethel,  enlisted  Feb.  6,  1864.  Transferred  from  101st  Illinois  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Hastings,  George  F.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  5,  1864.    Died  April  21, 1865,  wounds. 

Hamilton,  George  A.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  5,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Hainline,  Nathan  T.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  4, 1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Kelley,  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1864.    Discharged  June  10,  1865. 

Kendrick,  James  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  20, 1864.     Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Keho,  Miles,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1862.    From  101st  Illinois  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

McDonough,  John  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Jan.  27,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Phillips,  Charles  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  27,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Ragan,  William  M.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  4,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

.Smith.  Charles  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  2, 1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Thomas,  Winfleld  S.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  23, 1861.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

COMPANY    B. 

raptain  David  P.  Wells.  Macomb,  commissioned  April  20,  1861.     Died  April  7,  1862. 

First  Lieutenant  William  L.  Broaddus,  Macomb,  commissioned  April  20,  1861.  Promoted  to 
captain. 

First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Ray,  Macomb,  commissioned  May  27,  1865.  Mustered  out  July  8, 1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Abram  Rowe,  Macomb,  commissioned  April  20,  1861.  Promoted  captain  of 
company  C. 

Second  Lieutenant  Elnathan  K.  Westfall,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Oct.  1,  1861.  Promoted  first 
lieutenant  and  captain. 

Second  Lieutenant  James  A.  Chapman.  Macomb,  commissioned  April  7,  1862.  Promoted  first 
lieutenant,  captain,  and  lieutenant  colonel. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  W.  McAllister,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  20,  1862.  Promoted  first 
lieutenant  and  captain. 

Second  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Lowe,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  3,  1862.  Term  expired  April 
5,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Gilbert  W.  Parvin,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  4,  1865.  Mustered  out  July 
8,  1865. 

First  Sergeant  Elnathan  K.  Westfall,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Promoted. 

Sergeant  Henry  Bailey,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Discharged  Mar.  29,  1862.   Promoted. 

Sergeant  William  S.  Hendricks,  Bardolph,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Sergeant  William  H.  Campbell,  Macomb,  enlisted  May*24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf., 
Jan.  1,  1864. 

Corporal  Henry  W.  McAllister,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Promoted. 

Corporal  James  A.  Chapman,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Promoted. 

Corporal  Alexander  I).  Hail,  Macomb,  enlisted  May,  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf., 

Corporal  William  II.  Walker,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf., 
Jan.  1,  1864. 

Corporal  James  M.  Eyre,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Died  Sept,  19,  1862. 

Corporal  William  Powers,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Died  Oct.  15,  1862. 

Wagoner  Samuel  Manholland,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Jan . 
1,  1864. 

Allerd,  Jeremiah,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Bates,  Edward,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24. 1861.    Discharged  March  29,  1862. 

Buchanan,  Robert  A..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
July  8.  1865. 

Brink,  Thomas,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  21,1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Jan.  1,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  215 

Dillon,  James  I..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  18fil.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
wounds. 

Farrier,  Charles  I.,  Industry,  enlisted  JMay  24,  1801. 

Gill,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Hogue,  George  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Ma\  24,  18*31.    Discharged  Oct.  1,  1861. 

Hammer,  William  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July 
8.  1865. 

Jellison.  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Discharged  March  29, 1862. 

Jones,  Perry  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  ;  mustered  out  July 
2."..  1664. 

Jones,  Isaac  X.,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  promoted ;  mustered  out 
July  8.  1865. 

Kipling,  Thomas.  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Keener.  Henry  H..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Lowe,  Benjamin,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Promoted. 

Lay  ton.  Henry  C.,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Jan  1,  1864. 

Miller,  William  X.,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
>.  1  >*'>•">. 

McGraw,  Thomas.  F.,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Julv 
S,  1865. 

McCampbell.  James  I.,  Industry,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
July  8,  1865. 

Pile.  William  S..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861. 

Parr,  James.  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24/1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  :  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Parvin,  Gilbert  T.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Ke-enlisted as  veteran ;  promoted;  mustered 
out  July  8.  I 

Rugh,  Joseph,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 1865. 

Ritchey,  Simon.  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861,  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  S, 
1865. 

Ray,  George  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1.861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted;  mustered 
out  JulyS,  IftCo. 

Slater,  Isaac  O..  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  July  9.  1862. 

Smith,  John  W..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24. 1801.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Jan.  1,1864. 

Starr,  Oscar  P..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  8,  1862. 

Smithers,  Joseph,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July  8, 

Strickler,  Robert  P.,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  musterea  out  Jalv 
8,  i.x«v>. 

Thompson,  Julius  G..  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Discharged  April  19, 1862. 

Truitt,  Lafayette,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran:  transferred  to 
1st  U.  S.  Engineer  corps. 

Tordy,  James  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Walker.  William  P..  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  May  18,  1862. 

Wolf.  John  W..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf.,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Wovely.  John.  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24. 1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf.,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Wetherhold.  George.  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24. 1861.  Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Inf.,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Yocum.  Sylvester,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Died  May  4,  1862. 

Campbell,  Alex.  B..  Industry,  enlisted  Mar.  17,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8, 1865. 

Dillon,  Andrew  J.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  8.  1864.    Discharged  Aug.  16,  1864,  wounded. 

Green,  William  C.,  Macomb,  July  2,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga..  May 
15.  1864. 

Myrick.  Myron  N..  Bardolph.  enlisted  June  1.  1861.    Discharged  Mar.  29.  1862. 

Nebergall,  Andrew  .1.  C.  s..  Mncomb,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1864.     Mystered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Toland.  Isaac.  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  10, 1864.    Veteran  ;  died  April  12,  1865. 

COMPANY    C. 

•ain  George  W   Patrick.  Colchester,  commissioned  May  14.  1S61.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25,  1861. 
Captain  Abram  Rowe,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.   25,   1861.    Term  expired  Dec.   30,  1864  : 
Avounded. 

First  Lieutenant  Edwin  Moore,  Colchester,  commissioned  July  26,  1861.     Promoted  Major  21st 

uri. 

First  Lieutenant  James  Donaldson.  Colchester,  commissioned  June  27,  1862.    Killed  luly  17, 1864. 
First  Lieutenant  Pelatiah  Wilson.  Bethel,  commissioned  Dec.  30. 1864.    Mustered  out  July  8, 1865 . 
Second  Lieutenant  Edwin  Moore,  Colchester,  commissioned  May  14.  1861.    Promoted. 
First  Sergeant  Ebenezer  Rhodes,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Discharged  May  24, 1862. 
Sergeant  Sylvester  C.  Gilbert,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24.  1*61.    Discharged  Nov.  30,  1861. 
Sergeant  James  Donaldson,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Promoted. 

•ant  Andrew  J:  Duncan,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  July  19,  1862. 
Sergeant  Pelatiah  Wilson,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted. 
Corporal  James  M.  Johnson,   Bethel,   enlisted  May  24.   1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois,  Jan. 

Corporal  John  P.  Humbert,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24.  1%1.    Discharged  March  1,  1862. 
Corporal  Edward  Wilson,  Colchester,  enlisted  Mav  24.  1861.     Transferred  to  60th  Illinois,  Jan. 

1.    lN>4. 

Corporal  Richard  Bets  ton,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Corporal  Don.  C.  Salisbury,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Transferred  to  60th  Illinois,  Jan. 

Corporal  Richard  Robert,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois,  Jan.  1 , 

Corporal  William  Wilson,  Middletown,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.    Discharged  Sept.  26,  1862. 
Fifer.  William  S.  Johnson,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  "18^1.     Discharged  July  8,  1865. 
Wagoner.  Isaac  AlLshire,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24th,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered 
out  July  8.  1865. 


216  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Barnett.  James.  Colchester, 'enlisted  May  24.  1861.    Transferred  to  60th,  111.  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Barnett,  Edward,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.     Re-enlisted  veteran,  discharged  July,  5-,  1865. 

Dalton,  James,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Di ^charged  Oct.  1,  1861. 

Fritz,  Charles  S.,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  Transferred  to  1st  r. 
S.  E.  V.  V. 

Hendricks,  Benjamin,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Died  March  1,  1862. 

Johnson.  Alexander  M.,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Lane,  Wilson,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  111.  Jan.  1,  1861. 

Leary,  Patrick  J.,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-eiJisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
8,  1865. 

McGrew,  George  W.,  Bethel,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  111.  Jan.  8,  1864. 

Newland,  Frederick,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  111.  Jan.  8,  1864. 

Smithwait,  Jonn,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24.  1861.     Died  Jan.  7,  1862. 

Thorp,  James,  Colchester,  enli&ted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  8. 
1865. 

Taylor,  John,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Discharged  July  25,  1861,  sentenced  by  court 
martial. 

Taylor,  Richard,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Deserted  Oct.  12,  1861. 

Tories,  Walker,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Discharged  July  25,  1861,  sentenced  by  court 
martial. 

Tuttle,  Charles  G.,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
8, 1865. 

Turner,  Henry,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July,  8, 
1865. 

Watts,  Hiram,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  24.  1861. 

Young,  Robert,  Colchester,  enlisted,  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted  ;  mustered 
out  July  8,  1865. 

Barrett,  Samuel  D.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb,  4,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Brunduge,  Daniel,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  4.  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Bagbie,  Thomas,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  4,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

llobart,  Lewis,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  13,  isw. 

Lane,  William  B.,  Cochester,  enlisted  Dec.  9. 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  10,  1862. 

Nutall,  William,  Colchester,  June  2,  1861.    Discharged  Feb.  2,  1862. 

Scott,  John,  Macomb,  Dec.  9,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  25,  1862. 

Slater,  Thomas,  Colchester,  Feb.  15,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

COMPANY   D. 

Carter,  Smith  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  June  24, 1861. 
Webster,  ELezar,  Prairie  City,  May  24,  1861. 

COMPANY   G. 

Cannon,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  24, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July  <s 
1865. 

Currier,  Elon,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Lester,  Cyrus,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  deserted  June  3,  1864. 

Wyatt,  Samuel,  Industry,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Burson,  lessie  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Newell,  Jacob,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1864.    Died  March  7,  1864. 

Pontious.  David,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  9,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Steel,  William,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  9,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Swartz,  Benjamin,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

COMPANY   I 

Freeland,  Snyder,  Colchester,  May  11.  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865r 
as  sergeant 
Runkle,  Joseph,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

Corey,  Silas  G.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Infantry. 
Cooper,  John  M.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Transferred  to  60th  Illinois  Infantry. 
Johnson,  Thomas  J.,  New  Sale™,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  May  20,  1862. 
Rigney,  John  H.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  7,  1861. 
Tipton,  James,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861. 

Conley,  John,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July  L>, 
1865,  as  corporal. 

VanSlyke,  Daniel,  New  Salem,  enlisted  May  24,  1861.    Discharged  April  23,  1862. 
Maxwell,  John  C.,  Industry,  enlisted  Mar.  9,  1864. 
Veal,  John  S.,  Hire  Township,  enlisttd  Mar.  22, 18C4.    Rejected. 

SEVENTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    C. 

Douglas,  Royal,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  25,  1861.    Discharged  May  11,  1862  ;  corporal. 
Hendryx,  William,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  25,  1861. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  217 


Mnrry.  William,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  25.  1861.    Died  Oct.  31.  1861. 
Sanford,  Sylvester,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  25,  1861. 
still.  K.  D."  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  1\  1861. 
Demitz.  Earnest,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  25,  1861. 


EIGHTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY   F. 

Corporal  George  P.  Norton,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  21, 1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 
Musician  Edward  P.  Vail.  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  20,  1865.     Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 
MeClure,  James  P..  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  22,  1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16, 1865,  as  corporal. 
Waggle,  Jasper  S.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Feb.  21,  1865.    Absent  sick  at  muster  out. 

COMPANY   I. 

Corporal  William  L.  Brooks.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  1,  1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

•Corporal  James  N.  Tedron,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  1,  1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1665. 

Daniels,  Daniel  L.,  New  Salem,  enlistad  Mar.  7.  1S65.    Mustered  out  Sept.  4,  1865. 

Ellis,  Isaac  W..  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  8,  1865,    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Ervin,  James  D..  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  9,  1865.    Died  at  Little  Rock,  May  9,  1865. 

Hubbard,  William.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  8, 1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Hall,  Edward,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  15.  1865.     Mustered  out  June  16,  1865. 

Johnson,  George  M..  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  1,  1865.     Deserted  Sept.  27, 1865. 

Messick,  David  H..  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  8,  1865.    Died  at  Memphis,  April  10,  1865. 

Snyder,  Alvin  A..  Tennessee,  enlisted  Mar.  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Tedron,  M..  Now  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  27,  1865.    Mustered  out  May  11,  186-=v. 

AVoods,  William  H.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Mar.  15,  1865.    Died  at  Camp  Butler,  Mar.  24,  1865. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH  INFANTRY. 

ROSTER    OF    OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Louis  H.  Waters,  Macomb.  commissioned  Aug.  22,  1861.  Resigned  Jan.  10, 
1  *62  ;  disability.  Re-enlisted  in  service  as  Colonel  84th. 

Quartermaster  Hugh  Ervin.   Macomb,  commissioned  Aug.  27, 1861.    Resigned  Jan.  31,  1862. 
Quartermaster  Arthur  G.  Burr,  Macomb,  commissioned  Feb.  1,  1862.    Promoted  by  the  President. 
Quartermaster  Richard  Lawrence,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1863.    Mustered  out  Oct.  8,  1864. 
Surgeon  John  Kemper,  Industry,  commissioned  July  26,  1864.    Mustered  out  March  15, 1866. 
Sergeant  Major  Charles  E.  Waters.  Macomb.    Promoted  Sergeant  Majur. 
Hospital  Steward  Robert  R.  C.  Danley.  Macomb. 
Hospital  Steward  Albert  G.  Sullivan,"  Macomb. 

COMPANY    D. 

Captain  Gladden  L.  Farwell,  Macomb,  commissioned  Aug.  27.  1861.    Term  expired  in  1864. 

First  Lieutenant  John  B.  Pearson.  Macomb,  commissioned  Feb.  1,  1862.  Transferred  to  Co.  D  ; 
consolidated  ;  mustered  out  July  12, 1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  Conover.  Maoomb,  commissioned  Feb.  1,  1862.    Resigned  Dec.  3, 1862. 

Second  Lieutenant  Andrew  W.  McGoughy,  Industry,  commissioned  Dec.  3,1862.  Killed  July  10, 
1864. 

Second  Lieutenant  Daniel  K.  Miller,  Industry,  commissioned  Aug  23, 1865.  Promoted  ;  mustered 
out  March  15,  1866. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  H.  Henderson,  Scotland,  commissioned  Dec.  16,  1865.  Mustered  out 
}Iarch  15,  1866. 

Sergeant  Robert  Pearson,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  10,1861.    Killed  at  Shil oh,  Tenn.,  April  6, 1862. 

Corporal  Ezra  V.  Sayer,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.     Discharged  Aug,  26,  1864 ;  term  expiied. 

Corporal  Joseph  T.  Walker,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  ex- 
pired. 

Corporal  Joseph  Gill,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  Tenn.,  April  6,  1862. 

Corporal  Solomon  Foster,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  10.  1861.    Discharged  May  28, 1862 ;  disability. 

Corporal  Elijah  Patrick,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Musician  Robert  D.  C.  Danley,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Promoted  Hospital  Steward. 

Anderson,  John  E.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1864. 

Bloss,  William,  Blandiusville,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Wounded  ;  transferred  to  Invalids'  Corps, 
Oct.  21,  1S63. 

Blackford,  Isaac,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26.  1864 :  term  expired. 

Brant,  Abraham,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1S61,    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  March 

Courtright,  Van.  H.,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864;  term  expired; 
•wounded. 

Connan,  William.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  on  furlough  at  mus- 
ter out. 

Dawson,  Richard,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.    Discharged  June  18.  1862;  disability. 

Freeland,  Francis,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864;  term  expired; 
wounded. 

Freeland.  Napoleon  B..  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  transferred  to  Co, 
E.;  mustered  out  March  15,  1865. 


218  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Freeth,  George  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  10, 1861. 

Faulkner,  Thomas,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  10,  1861.  Wounded  at  Shiloh  ;  killed  at  Jacksonr 
Miss.,  July  12,  1863. 

Gill,  Josiah.  Scotland,  enlisted  March  10,  1861.    Pied  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  Oct.  12,  1863. 

Gordon,  John,  Macoinb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  March  15, 
1866. 

Hardesty,  William.  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Died  at  Natchez.  Miss.,  Sept.  1,  1863. 

Hobart,  Edwin  L.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  transferred  to- 
colored  regiment. 

Hillyer,  Lambert,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Hillyer.  Isaac  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Nov.  10,  1862  ;  wounded. 

Hawk,  Samuel,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  March  15, 
1866. 

Hoyt,  Lucian.  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  June  17.  1862 ;  wounded. 

Keller,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Wounded  at  Hatchie ;   discharged  March  6. 

tfiAO 

Long,  Albert,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10. 1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  March  15, 

^Laughlin,  John  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Ang.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Matheuy.  William  H.,  IJushhell,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  died  at  Natchez, 
March  10,  1864. 

Menzies,  Walter,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.    Ditcharged  Aug.  26,  1864,  term  expired. 

Metts,  Clinton,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Deserted  April  6,  1862. 

Milligan,  Albert,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 

McGee,  Samuel  R.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Mar. 
15,  1866,  wounded. 

Nichols,  Seymore,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.  Wounded  at  Hatchie.  Oct.  5,  1862 ;  died  of 
wounds. 

Penrose.  Henry  Wr.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Died  at  Memphis,  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Pierce,  Frank,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.     Discharged  Aug.  26.  1864:  term  expired. 

Russell,  Josephus  T.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.   26,  1864  ;  term  expired  ;. 

Smithers,  Thomas  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Mar.  25,  1862;  disability. 

Simmons.  Rowen  L.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  wounded  at  Span- 
ish Fort. 

Sharp,  Samuel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26, 1864;  term  expired;  wounds. 

Shepherd  Solomon  R.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 

Penrose,  John  F.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Spencer,  Richard,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  10, 1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Smith,  John,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Aug.  26,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Teas,  George  H.,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862 

Twitchell,  William,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Missing  since  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  , 

Welch,  Azro  B.,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.     Discharged  May  25,  1862  ;  disability.     . 

Welch,  James  M.,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862  ;  corporal. 

Wayland,  Elijah  Q.  A.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861.  Transterred  to  Invalids  corps,  Oct.  22, 
1863;  wounds. 

Warren,  Francis  L.,  Hire,  enlisted  Aug.  10.  1861.    Died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  15,  1862. 

Welch,  Sylvester  B.,  Hire,  enlisted  Dec.  21, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  must'd  out  Mar.  15,  1866. 

Carter,  James  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  25,  1864.     Died  at  Brownsville.  Texas,  Nov.  25,  1865. 

Gordon,  James  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  12,  1864.    Mustered  out  Mar.  15,  1866. 

Heath,  &.  A.,  Industry,  enlisted  June  25,  1864.    On  furlough  on  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Kearns,  Marion,  Bushnell,  enlisted  June  25.  1864.     Mustered  out  Mar.  15, 1866. 

Plotts,  Joseph  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1861.    Died  at  Fort  Holt,  Ky.,  Nov.  22, 1862. 

Broaddus,  Edward  L.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  Feb.  28,  186b. 

Gordon,  Benjamin  F.,  Walnut  Grovs,  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  Feb.  28,  1866. 

Jellison,  Zimri,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  Feb.  28,  1866. 

Keller,  Joseph,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  5,  1864.    Discharged  to  enlist  in  1st  U.  8.  artillery. 

COMPANIES    A    AND    B,    DRAFTED    AND    SUBSTITUTES. 

Patrick,  John  R.,  New  Salem,  Oct.  25,  1864.    Mustered  out  Oct.  24,  1865. 
Brothers,  Albert,  Eldorado,  Oct.  8,  1864.     Mustered  out  Oct.  7,  1865. 
Seward,  John  A.,  Eldorado,  Oct.  8, 1864.    Mustered  out  June  20,  1865, 
Taylor,  Henry  L.,  Eldorado,  Oct.  8, 1864.    Mustered  out  Oct.  7,  1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

First  Sergeant  Ellis  S.  Stokes,  New  Salem,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.   Mustered  out  March  14,  1866. 
Corporal  Thomas  W.  Blackston,  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  March  14,  1866. 
Corporal  Josaph  A.  Thornburg,  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.     Mustered  out  March  14,  1866.. 
Barker,  James,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  March  9,  1865.     Mustered  out  March  25,  1865. 
Davis,  James  R.,  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Died  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  Aug.  30,  1865. 
Edmunson,  William  D.,  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  March  14,  1866. 
Nergeman,  Henry,  New  Salem,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.     Mustered  out  March  14,  1866. 
Nichols  Alvinus  W..  New  Salem,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  March  14,  1866. 
Phillips,  Martin,  Lamoine.  enlisted  March  14,  1865.     Died  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  Nov.  6,  1865, 
Scott,  Theodore  H.,  Mound,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  outM  arch  14,  1866. 
White,  Marcus.  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  March  14.  1866. 
Young,  Ralph  J.,  Lamoine,  enlisted  March  14,  1865.    Mustered  out  March  14, 1866. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  219 

THIRTIETH    INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    B. 

Wagoner,  Jacob,  Moi  nl,  enlisted  Oct.  -\  i,v<>4:  m  istered  out  July  17.  1865. 
Wheeler,  Benjamin  >  .,  Emmet,  enlisted  Oct.  6,  1S64;  mustered  out  July  17,  186?. 

FIFTIETH  IXFAXTRY. 

COMPANY    D. 

McManigle.  William  R.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  18,  1861;  mustered  out  Sept.  27,  1834,  as  serg't. 
Willis,  John  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  4, 1861;    discharged  Aug.  16,  I,H}_>. 

COMPANY    F. 

Clarke,  ThaddeusS.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Oct.  1,  1861:  discharged  April  2«,  1862:  disability. 

COMPANY    (i. 

Evans,  William  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  10, 1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July 

13,  1865. 

Ewalt,  Nicholas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  18,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  7,  1864,  term  expired. 
McManimie,  Winchester.  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  1,  1861;    mustered  out  Sept.  27,  1864. 
McManimie,  Marion  A.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  6,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  7,  1864. 
Myers,  Noah,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1£61;    discharged  June  21, 1862  ;  disability. 
Perkey,  Daniel,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Oct.  17, 1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  19,  1864. 
Atherton,  Finley  B  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  22.  1864;    mustered  out  July  13,  1865. 
Strode,  Jessie  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  22,  1864;    mustered  out  July  IS.  1865  ;  promoted. 

FIFTY-FIFTH  IXFAXTRY. 

ROSTER    OF    OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Milton  L.  Haney,  Bushnell,  commissioned  July  3,  1864;  mustered  out  Dec.  2, 
1J«>1. 

Major  Giles  F.  Hand,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  July  12, 1865;    mustered  out  August  14, 1865. 
Chaplain  Miiton  L.  Haney,  Bushnell,  commissioned  October  31,  1861;    promoted. 

COMPANY    F. 

Captain  Milton  L.  Haney.  Bushnell.  commissioned  October  31, 1861;    promoted. 
First  Lieutenant  Joshua  R.  Bentou,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Oct.  31,  1863;  commission  declined 
and  cancelled. 
First  Lieutenant  David  N.  Holmes,  Bushnell,  commissioned  May  19,   1865;    mustered  out  Aug. 

14,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  W.  Parks,  Bushnell,  commissioned  October  31,  1861;  promoted  First 
Lieutenant;  mustered  out  Nov.  26,  1862. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  B.  Johnson,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  March  8,  1862;  resigned  Sept. 
3, 1862. 

First  Sergeant  James  M.  Shreeves,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  11.  1861;  died  at  Vicksburg,  Aug. 
19,  1863. 

Sergeant  George  Sanford,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Corporal  George  H.  Rogers,  Prairie  Citv.  enlisted  Oct.  7, 1861. 

Corporal  David  M.  Crambaugh,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  died 
April  14,  1865,  of  wounds. 

Corporal  Giles  F.  Hand,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;  promoted  First  Lieutenant.  Cap- 
tain and  Major. 

Musician  David  J.  Matheny,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  7.  1861;    mustered  out  Oct  31,  1864. 

Brady,  Archibald  C,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  October  5,  1861. 

Booth,  William,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  10,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31.  1864. 

Benton,  Joshua,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  4,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14,  1865 

Bane,  George,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861:    killed  on  picket.  July  14,  1863. 

Carnes,  "William  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  8,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 
1865,  sergeant. 

Carries,  John.  Prairie  City,  enlistedOct.il.  1SG1;  re-eniisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 
1865;  wounds. 

Crowl,  William  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861. 

Crowl,  George  P.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1861;    discharged. 

Dewey,  John  C.,  Prairie  City.  enlLsted  Oct.  7.  1861;    discharged  Jan.  28.  1863,  di.'arility. 

Dewey,  Edwin,  Bushuell.  enlisted  Oct.  12,1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14. 
1865,  wounds. 

Dunlap,  LeGrand.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  21. 1861. 

Davis,  Lloyd  P.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11.  1*61. 

Eads,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  l»51;    dicharged  Jan.  2-S  1863,  disability  . 


220  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

Ewing,  Joseph  B  ,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  21,  1861:    mustered  out  Oct.  21,  1864. 

Fowraker,  George  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  21,  1861;  died  at  Walnut  Hills,  Miss.,  June  28, 
1863. 

Foster,  Channing  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Fugate,  Robert  M..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  3,  1861;    died  at  Memphis,  Jan.  14,  1864. 

Fleharty.  John  N.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  8.  1861. 

Holmes,  David,  X.,  Bushuell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1863;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant. 

Hartsook,  Daniel,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  186: ;    transferred  to  Invalids  corps,  Sept.  22,  1863. 

Hensley,  Samuel  H..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  Oct.  4,  1861;  transferred  to  Co.  G.,  deserted  Dec.  20, 
1862. 

Hendricks,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Hartsook,  Joseph,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861;    promoted  Sergeant  Major. 

Hartman,  Aaron  V.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861. 

Hutchins,  George  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861:    wounded  at  Shiloh,  April  6, 186'.'. 

Hoyt,  Oliver  J.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1861;    killed  at  Vicksburg.  May  19,  1863. 

Inman,  Jessie  N.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  5,  1861;    died  at  Memphis,  Sept.  27,  1862. 

Jones,  Samuel,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  LS64. 

Jameson,  Robert  S.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Johnson,  John  A.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861;    transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  May 

Long,'  Samuel,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  Veteran  ;  discharged  March 
23,  1865:  disability. 

Long,  George  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861. 

Lybarger,  Milton  C..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  3,  1*61;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Mead,  Alfred,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    mustrred  out  Oct.  31.  1864. 

Medaris,  Joseph  B.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861:    died  at  Bushnell,  111.,  May  2,  1864. 

Maxwell,  William  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861. 

Medaris,  John  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  li,  ISfil. 

Miller,  George  S.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  10,  1861;  re-enlisted  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 
1865.  corporal. 

Miller,  Jacob  C.,  Busline!!,  enlisted  Oct,  12,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.,  31, 1861. 

McComb,  Matthew,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;    died  at  Biidgeport,  111.  Dec.  25,  1863. 

Moore,  Albertson,  Prairie  City,"  enlisted  Oct.   11,  1861;    discharged    Jan.  28,  1863;  wounds. 

McDonald,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  12,   1861;    discharged. 

Newkirk,  George  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  8,  1861;    mustered  out  October  31,  1864. 

Powers,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  10,  1861;    mustered  out  October  31,  1864. 

Putnam,  Joseph  P,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mortally  wounded 
at  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  left  on  the  field,  June  27, 1864. 

Putnam,  John  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    discharged. 

Patterson,  Robert  S.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861. 

Pennington,  Jacob  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861;    discharged  Jan.  28,  1863;  disability. 

Potinger,  Samuel  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  21, 1861;  transferred  to  company  G;  mustered  out 
Aug.  14,1865. 

Penneil,  George  W.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  16,  1861. 

Rogers,  Lewis  B.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;    discharged  Feb.  11,  1863;  disability. 

Reed,  Amenzo.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  11, 1861;    mustered  out  October  31,  1864. 

Rickman,  Moses  B,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  19,  1861;    transferred  to  company  K.  Nov.  14,  1861. 

Sanford  Jacob,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    re-enlisted  as  veteran;  promoted. 

Sanford  Amos,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  10,  1861;  promoted  in  12th  Louisiana  volunteers, 
Oct. ,  1863. 

Sanford,  Ebenezer,  Prairie  City,  Oct.  11,  1861:    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Snapp,  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    died  at  Camp  Sherman,  Miss.,  Aug.  29,  1863. 

Sperling,  Lewis  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  3,  1861;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  May 
1,  1864. 

Swearingen,  Bennett,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Aug.  14,  1855;  sergeant. 

Shannon,  Alvin,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  3,  1861. 

Sperling,  Theodore,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  Aug. 
14,  1865;  sergeant. 

Tatman,  Edmond,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  7,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out 
Aug  14,  1865. 

Thompson,  Thomas  E,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    mustered  out  March  26,  1865. 

Teithworth,  Oliver  P.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1861. 

Wetsel,  Daniel  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  5,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Wetsel,  Ahaz  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864  as  corporal. 

Winget,  Louis,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  6,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 
1865,  corporal. 

Wycoff,  Daniel  L.,  Bushneli,  enlisted  Oct .  11,  1861;    discharged  by  order  General  Grant. 

Winters,  Augustus,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  11,  1861. 

Wilson,  J  O.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  8,  1861. 

King,  Lyman  B.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Dec.  1, 1861. 

Miller,  John  W.,  Prairie  City.    Mustered  out  Aug.  14, 1865,  as  corporal. 

Osborn,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Nov.  27,  1861;    mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864. 

Pattison,  W.  S.,  Bushnell.    Died  Jan.  22,  1SC2. 

Perdue,  Dallas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  24.  1864;    mustered  out  Auer.  14,  1865. 

Smith,  Kellogg  J.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Nov.  26,  1861. 

COMPANY    G. 

Sergeant  Thomas  R.  Scott,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  discharged 
June  14,  1865 ;  disability. 

Sergeant  H.  H.  Weaver,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861;    died  at  St.  Louis,  April  8,  1863. 
Corporal  James  B.  Murphy,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  24,  1861;    killed   at  Walnut  Hills,  June  25, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  221 

rporal  William  J.  Eckley,  Bushuell.  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861;    re-enlisted  as  veteran :  died  Aug. 

; :  wounds. 

Corporal  Steven  R.  Bell,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31, 1864. 
Avers.  M.  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861. 
Ball,  Harrison,  Bushn«ll,  pnlisted  Oct.  18,   1861;    re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 

Brings,  W.  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  16, 1861;    re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 

Baldwin,  William  G.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  16.  1861;    transferred  to  Invalid  Corps  Jan.  22,  1864. 

Cadwalladtr.  M.  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  25,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864.  as  corpora). 

Coggswell,  L.  S.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  23,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 
-  corporal. 

Emery,  J.  R.,  Bu^hnell,  enlisted  Oct.  4,  1864;    re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  14.  1865. 

Ervin.  E.  P..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  8.  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Oct.  14,  1865, 
as  corporal. 

Eckley,  George  W.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  23,  1861:    died  at  Camp  Sherman,  Miss.,  Aug.  8,  186:*. 

Barley,  William  L.,  Bushuell,  enlisted  Oct.  9,  1861;    discharged  Aug.  1,  1863. 

Eckley,  James  A.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  23,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31, 1864. 

ritzimmons,  Thomas,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  18,  1861:     repo.ted  as  deserter  July,  1863. 

Gray.  James  W..  Bushuell,  enlisted  Oct.  5,1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 
wounded. 

'•illespie.  James  W..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861. 

Hogue,  James  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  14,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14.  1865. 

Hogue,  William  P..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  14,  1861. 

Hiner.  Joseph  €..  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  23,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14.  1S65. 

Jackson,  George  W,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25, 1861:  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14,  1865. 

Lovelace.  J.  W..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  18,  1861 

McKaig.  R.  B.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  18.  1861. 

Mills,  David  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861. 

McQeeen,  H.  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  14.  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14,  1865. 

Myers,  John  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
14.  I9d\ 

Oglesby.  Joseph,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  12;    mustered  out  Oct.  31, 1864. 

Smith,'  W.  X.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  7,  1861;    re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug.  14,  1865. 

Sexton,  John,  Bushuell.  enlisted  Oct.  4,  1861;    died  at  Camp  Sherman,  Miss.,  Aug.  31.  1863. 

Williams.  Andrew,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Oct.  18,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  discharged  Aug.  2. 
1%4;  disability. 

Drake,  D.  X..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Xov.  8.  1861;    discharged  Dec.  31,  1864;  term  expired. 

Moorey.  Harvey  C..  Bushnell.  enlisted  Xov.  7, 1863:     mustered  out  Aug.  14,  1865. 

Hensley.  Samuel  F..  Bushnell.  enlisted  Oct.  4,  1861;    deserted  Sept.,  1862. 

COMPANY    H. 

Downen.  John,  Industry,  enlisted  Nov.  6,  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864,  as  corporal. 

Ford.  William,  Industry,  enlisted  Nov.  21,  1861. 

Kennedy,  John.  Industry,  enlisted  Xov.  28, 1861. 

Merrick.  John.  Industry,  enlisted  Nov.  5.  1861;    mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864,  as  corporal. 

Randolph.  William.  Industry.  Xov.  6;    mustered  out  Aug.  1, 1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

<"ox.  Robert  M..  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Oct.  22,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Aug. 
as  corporal. 

FIFTY-SEVEXTH  IXFAXTRY. 

COMPANY    I. 

First  Lieutenant  Martin  Hoagland,  Bardolph,  commissioned  July  1,  1865;  mustered  out  July  7. 
1  &6o. 

Second  Lieutenant  William  S.  Hendrlcks,  Bardolph,  commissioned  Dec.  26,  1861;  resigned  Feb. 
13.  1863. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  T.  Parvin,  Bardolph,  commissioned  July  1,  1865:  mustered  out  July  T, 
1865. 

Anderson.  Elijah  E..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Dec.  2,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
7,  1865,  corporal. 

Brown,  William  P.,  Colmar,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1861;    died  at  Colmar,  111. 

Hanks,  George,  Colmar,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1861;    died  at  Corinth,  Dec.  24,  1862. 

Mr-rord,  William.  Bardolph,  enlisted  Dec.  5,  1861. 

Prfly.  David,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Dec.  2,  1S61;    mustered  out  Dec.  25.  1864. 

Rabbitt,  Robert.  Bardolph.  enlisted  Dec.  2,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  7. 
1866. 

Smith,  Richard  L..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Dec.  5,  1861:    discharged  Sept.  9,  1862. 

Smith,  Henry,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Dec.  1(5,  1861  ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Julv  7, 
186.5. 

Downey.  James,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Jan.  30,  1863;    mustered  out  July  7.  1«65. 


222  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

Head,  Richard  R.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Feb.  21,  1864;    mustered  out  July  7,  18GR. 
Jacob,  Benjamin  F,,  Macomb,  enlisted  March  16,  186-1;    mustered  out  July  7,  lSf>~\ 
McBride,  Samuel  S.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Feb.  29,  1864;    mustered  out  July" 7. 18(  5. 

FIFTY-NINTH   INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    C. 

Captain  Barzillia  M.  Veatch,  Tennesse,  commissioned  Aug.  5,  186?.    Resigned  June  13, 1863. 

Captain  George  R.  Stire,  Tennessee,  commissioned  March  28,  18G5.    Mustered  out  Dec.  8,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Norman  Curtis,  Tennessee,  commissioned  June  13,  18C3.  Term  expired  March 
11,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant  John  H.  Loop,  Tennessee,  commissioned  March  28,  1865.  Mustered  out  Dec. 
8,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  Heslep  Phillips,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  April  14,  1862.  Resigned  April 
17,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  R.  Stire,  Tennessee,  commissioned  June  13,  1863.  Promoted;  re-en- 
liated  as  veteran, 

Second  Lieutent  Samuel  Purdam,  Tennessee,  commissioned  March  28, 1865.  Mustered  out  Dec. 
8,  1865. 

Orderly  Sergeant  Dennis  L.  Buford,  Tennessee.    Discharged  Sept.  5,  1861.  disability. 

Sergeant  Jefferson  G.  Eastwood,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10.  Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine 
Brigade. 

Sergeant  Joseph  H.  Bayles,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861 .    Discharged  April  6,  1863;  disability. 

Sergeant  Joseph  Holmes,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  April  8,  1862;  disability. 

Sergeant  Henry  R.  Turpin,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Sept.  17,  1864. 

Corporal  William  H.  McElroy,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Transferred  to  Misiissippi  Ma- 
rine Brigade. 

Corporal  Samuel  Purdam,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered 
out  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Corporal  William  A.  Blume,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Killed  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  Oct. 
8,  1862. 

Corporal  George  Iseminger,  Tennessee,  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  February  14,  1863;  disability. 

Corporal  Norman  Curtis,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.     Promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Corporal  Heslip  Phillip,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Promoted  principal  musician. 

Corporal  John  W.  Leager,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  May  26.  1862;  disability. 

Musician  Charles  Veatch,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  May  26,  1862;  disability. 

Musician  Alison  G.  Weir,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Oct  29,  1861;  disability. 

Wagoner  Samuel  S.  Bennett,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Discharged  Jan.  6,  1862,  dis- 
ability. 

Alsop,  William  B.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.    Discharged  Jan.  1, 1862 ;  disability. 

Asendorf,  Henry,  Tenness-ee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Re-enlisied  as  veteran  ;  deserted  March,  1864. 

Barnum,  Henry,  Te»nessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  March  9,  1862;  disability. 

Brinay,  Chriest,  Tennessee,  enlisted  J  uly  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  died  July  29,  1864  ; 
wounds. 

Bell,  George  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1865. 

Beals,  Jessie  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1865,  as  sergeant. 

Grants,  George,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran :  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1865. 

Chung,  Jackson  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Deserted  Aug.  27,  1864. 

Cumbal,  Francis,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Deserted  May  22, 1862. 

Cochran,  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  18,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  killed  at  Nashville, 
Dec.  16,  186 1. 

Chusy,  John,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.   Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec.  8.  1865. 

Chute,  Abraham  G.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Died  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  Nov.  6,  1861. 

Dillon,  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Sept.  17.  1864. 

Dobbs,  Henry,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enJisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1865. 

Doughton,  Andrew,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  12,  1862  ;  disability. 

Dorsey,  William  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Dec. 
8, 1865. 

Eastwood,  George  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
Dec.  8, 1865 

Eilenge,  James  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  promoted  to  quarter- 
master sergeant. 

Emeil,  William  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Erens,  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Dishonorably  discharged  March  19,  1862. 

Gordon,  Charles  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Dishonorably  discharged  March  IS*,  1862. 

Green,  Washington,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Sept.  17.  1864. 

Gauf,  Samuel  T.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade 
Feb.  11,  1863. 

Gallegher,  Thomas,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Jan.  3,  1863;  disability. 

Hoyt,  Joel,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  March  18,  1863. 

Herr,  George  W,,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  lft6L.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1865. 

Jacob,  Samuel  J.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  Dec.  8, 
1855. 

Jarvis,  William  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.    Killed  at  Perry  v-iUe,  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Jarvis,  Gilbert,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10/1861.    Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps  July  1,  1863. 


HISTORY    OF    M  DONOUGH    COUNTY.  '   223 

James,  Charles,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade  Feb. 

Loflam,  Eugene,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Feb.  6,  1863. 

Loup,  John  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  18S1.  Promoted  to  Commissary  Sergeant ;  re-enlisted 
as  veteran  ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Loge,  Nathan,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Died  at  Inka,  Miss..  Aug.  19,  1862. 

Lawyer,  Tnomas,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1S61.    Killed  at  Perryyille.  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Loftis.  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  6,  1863. 

Mourning,  John  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Died  at  Lebanon.  Mo.,  Feb.  10,  1863. 

McGoram,  Thomas,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dee. 
8,  1865. 

Melvin,  Thomas  J.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec. 
8.  1865. 

Murphy,  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Died  March  18,  1862,  wounds. 

Mullen,  Michael,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Feb.  3,  1862,  disability. 

McTiegh.  Michael.  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Deserted  June  25,  1863. 

Morris,  Willard,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Dec. 
8,  1865,  promoted. 

Norman,  George  E..  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  11,  1864. 

Nelson,  Benjamin.  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec. 
8.  1865. 

Nelson,  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.    Sergeant  died  Dec.  1,  1863,  wounds. 

Olive,  Richard,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Discharged  Dec.  26,  1862,  disability. 

Purdarn,  Mesach,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  Dec. 
8,  1864. 

Phiver.  Louis,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  deserted  Aug.  25,  1864. 

Painter,  James  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Deserted  Sept.  20,  1862. 

Spencer,  Joseph.  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  Dec.  8. 
1865. 

Shanklin,  John,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Sept.  17,  1864. 

Stilson.  Nicodernus,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1»61.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  transferred  to 
1st  U.  S.  Engineer,  Aug.  24, 1864. 

Sullivan,  JoshuaH.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
Dec.  8,  1865. 

Sheets,  James  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Killed  at  Stone  river,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Trolock,  Thomas,  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10, 1861.    Discharged  June  6.  1862.  disability. 

Torhouse,  Henry.  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  died  Deo.  16.  1364. 

Tally,  William.  Tennessee,  enlisted  July  10,  1861.    Mustered  out  Sept.  17.  1864. 

Purdam,  Francis  M.,  Chahnens,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  July  18,  1865. 

SIXTY-SECOXD  IXFAXTRY. 

COMPANY     I. 

Corporal  Jacob  Pruat,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862.    Discharged  Sept.  8,  1862;  disability. 
Abbot,  Joshua,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862.    Deserted  May  -28,  lN)J. 

Cordell,  James,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  vet.;  mustered  out  Mar.  6,  1866. 
David,  John  F.,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862,    Discharged  Mar.  27,  1863:  disability. 
Flack,  Alexander,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862.    Mustered  out  May  2,  1865. 
Reno,  Alexander,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  1,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  vet.  ;  mustered  out  Feb.  6,  1866. 
Black,  Richards.,  Industry,  enlisted  Mar.  18,   1865.    Trausierred  to  Co.  G;  mustered  out  Feb. 
18.  1866. 

Peak,  Patrick,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  28,  1862.  Transferred  to  G ;  mustered  out  Aug.  2,  1865. 
Peak,  William,  Industry,  enlisted  Dec.  9,  1863.  Transferred  to  Co.  G  ;  discharged  May  23,  186*. 
Tatham,  W.  H.,  Industry,  enlisted  Dec.  29,  1863.  Mustered  out  Mar.  6,  1866. 

COMPANY    H. 

Belleville,  Jacob  N.,  Prarie  City,  enlisted  Jan.  5,  1864.  Transferred  to  Co.  A  ;  mustered  out  Mar. 
6,  1866. 

UNASSIGNED    RECRUITS. 

Dixon,  John.  Macomb. 
Frank,  Marion,  Macomb. 
White,  Charles  W.,  Macomb. 
Williams.  Moses  J.,  Macomb. 

SIXTY- FOURTH  iXFAXTRY. 

COMPANY    A. 

Abbott,  Geo.  W..  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  9,  1861.    Deserted  August  18,  1862. 

Anderson,  Joseph,  Colchester,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
11,  1865. 

Blanchard.  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  9,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July 
11. 1865. 

Cochran,  Stephen  D. ,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861. 

Clayton.  Francis  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  4.  1861.     Discharged  Jan.  30,  1865  ;  disability. 

Dinwiddie,  Robert,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  13.  Ib61.     Discharged  Oct.  13.  1862:  disability. 


224  HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY. 

Douglas,  Louis,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  23,  1861.     Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11, 

i;6>. 

Delay.  Jacob,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  4,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  17,  18G2  ;  disability. 

Francis,  Homer.  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  23,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  17.  1862  ;  disability. 

Fuller,  Josiah,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Sept.  25,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11, 
1865. 

Griffin,  Asa  F.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Dec.  13,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11, 
1865,  corporal. 

Hall,  Ricbnrd,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Pec.  13,  1861 ;  mustered  out  Jan.  21,  1865. 

Hill,  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11^ 
1865. 

Hume,  James  M.,  Colchester,  enlisted  December  13,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  promoted  com. 
isergeant. 

Hutchinson,  William  A.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  4,  1861.     Discharged  Sept.  17,  1862;  disability. 

Jennings,  Herndon,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  4,  1861.    Mustered  out  June  2,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Johnson,  Sydney  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  4,  1861,      Discharged  July  19, 1862;  disability. 

Keithley,  David,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Nov.  23,  1861.    Mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 

Lower,  John,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  4,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  28,  1862  ;  disability. 

Newton,  Joseph,  Colchester,  enlisted  Nov.  23,  1861. 

Nelson.  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  4,  1861.    Discharged  Oct.  26, 1862;  disability. 

Patterson,  Joseph,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  23,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
11, 1865,  musician. 

Peck,  Oron,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  13, 1861. 

Ramsey,  George  W.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Dec.  13,  1861.    Died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Sept.  8,  1862. 

Rouse,  George,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861. 

Steel,  Nelson,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  4,  1861. 

Stephens,  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  14,  1861.    Discharged  Mar.  17,  1862;  disability. 

Spyva,  And.  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  20,  1861.    Deserved  at  St.  Louis. 

Simmons,  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  17,  1862  ;  disability. 

Shippey,  Daniel  R.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out 
June  11,  1865. 

Tolman,  John  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  June 
11,  1865. 

Underbill,  Lodowick,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  13,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  20,  1862  ;  disability. 

Way,  Charles,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Nov.  4,  1861.     Re-enli.'ted  as  vet. ;  absent  sick  at  muster  out. 

Averill,  Charles  W  ,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

€ochrane,  Stephen  I).,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  29,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Nance,  Frederick,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Parker,  Henry,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  10,  1862. 

COMPANY    D. 

Captain  George  W.  Reid,  Macomb,  commissioned  Dec.  23,  1862.  Promoted  from  2d  lieutenant 
to  1st ;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service. 

First  Lieutenant  Duncan  Reid,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  20,  1862.  Promoted  from  2d  lieu- 
tenant ;  term  expired  April  9,  1865. 

Hospital  Steward  Thomas  W.  Kellough,  Macomb.  enlisted  Dec.  31,  1863.    Must'd  out  July  11,  1865. 

Sergeant  Andrew  J.  Creel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.     Discharged  Sept.  17,  1862;  disability. 

Sergeant  Zimri  Parvin,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  17,  1862  ;  disability. 

Corporal  Benjamin  Purkey,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.     Discharged  Oct.  15,  1862  ;  disability. 

Corporal  Andrew  Kellough,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.    Killed  near  Corinth,  May  8,  1862. 

Corporal  William  Musson,  Colchester,  enlisted  Nov.  1,1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered 
out  July  11,  1865. 

Butler,  William  N.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July 
11,  1865. 

Done,  Thomas  E.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Dec.  10,  1861.     Discharged  Aug.  10,  1862  ;  disability. 

Jacobs,  John  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1, 1861.     Mustered  out  Dec.  24,  1864. 

Jacobs,  William  R.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Died  at  Glendale,  Miss.,  Oct.  1,  1863. 

Luddon,  David  H.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.  Mustered  out  Dec.  24,  1864,  as  1st  sergeant. 

Litchfield,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.   Discharged  Oct.  16,  1862,  as  sergeant;  disability. 

Lyons,  James,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.    Died  at  home,  July  28,  1862. 

Mercer,  George  S.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  1,  1861.    Discharged  July  7,  1862;  disability. 

Walker,  Henry  E.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Nov.  1,  1861.    Discharged  Sept.  29,  1863;  disability. 

Brown,  Charles,  Macomb.     Discharged  August  27,  1862  ;  disability. 

Brown,  James  A.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  March  7,  1865.    Mustered  out  July  11,  18"65. 

Hobart,  Francis,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  7,  1864.     Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Kellough,  Richard,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1864.     Mustered  out  July  11.  1865. 

Litcbfield,  George,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Jan.  2,  1864.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Musson,  Austin  L.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1864.     Mustered  out  July  11.  1865. 

Stokes,  Samuel  B.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Jan.  2,  1864.    Died  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  May  15,  1864. 

Wiley,  Lewis  H.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  2,  1865. 

Winslow,  Charles  F.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1864.     Killed  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22,  1864. 

Wiley,  Cornelius  D.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Feb.  24.  1865.    Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Roberts,  Adam,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  28.    Discharged,  Aug.  25,  1862;  disability. 

COMPANY    E. 

Rouse,  Isaac  M.,  Colchester,  enlisted  December  22,  1861.    Discharged  June  28,  1862.  disability. 
Walter,  P>hard,  Macomb,  Dec.  26,  1861.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 
COMPANY  F. 

Brown   Charles,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  29,  1861.    Discharged;  disability. 

avnes  Jonathan,  Macomb,  enlisted  December  26.  1861.    Died  at  St.  Lorn*,  July  3,  1862. 
Haskins  Benjamin,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  28,  1861.    Mustered  out  Jan.  23,  1865. 

oberts  '  Adam,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  28.  1861.    Discharged;  disability. 
RalBton!  Jessie  R  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  10,  1861.    Discharged  Jan.  10,  1865;  term  expired 
Dickersou,  Charles,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  8,  1862.    Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  discharged  Jan.  10r 

Cnug  Win.  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  24,  1864;  mustered  out  July  11.  1865. 

Dixou   John,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  3,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  discharged  Jan.  10,  1865. 

Fair  William  Chalmers,  enlisted  March  7,  1865;  ied  at  Roanoke,  S.  C.,  March  31,  1865. 

Dutton    William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862. 

Frank  Marion  F.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862;  re-enisted  as  veteran,  promoted 

ihnson  John  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862;  discharged  July  23,  1863;  disability. 
Kirkpatrick,  William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862;  died. 
Lloyd,  John  V.,  Colmar,   enlisted  Jan.  1,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11. 

irning  John  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  March  25,  1864;  mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 
Martin,  Charles,  Tennessee,  enlisted  J.tn.  1<462;  discharged  Aug.  21,  1862;  disability. 
Powell!  James,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  11, 

erts,  Elmore,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran,  mustered  out  July  llf 

Roberts,  Chauncy,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1862. 

ftowe  Louis  P..  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7.  1862;  discharged  Sept.  4,  1862;  disability. 

Wilson,  Thomas  M.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July 

1  Vmiams,  Moses  J.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran;  mustered  out  July  11. 


Henrr  W..  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1861;  discharged  June  14,  1862;  disability. 
White,  Charles  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  ;  mustered  out  July  11. 
1865 

Enoch,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  7,  1861;  discharged  Feb.  17,  1862,  disability. 

SEVEXTY-SECOKD  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    G. 

Cecil   Henrv  A.,  Lamoine.  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  1865. 

Ewin'g,  William,  Colmar,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  June  30,  1863  ;  disability. 

Jenkins,  Joseph,   Colmar,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  absent,  prisoner  of  war,  at  muster  out  of  regi- 

Jenkins,  Thomas,  Colmar,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  July  15,  1865. 
Jarvis,  John  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  13.  1862;  mustered  out  May  27  1865. 
Jarvis,   Garrett  J.   D.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  13,   1862;  discharged  for  promotion  m  5otn  U. 
S.  C.  Infantry  ;  Lieutenant  ;  killed  at  Fort  Blakely,  April  9,  1865.     . 
Morris,  Harmon  F.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862:  died  at  Paducah,  Oct.  9,  1862. 


„  ______  as  corporal. 

Fetere,  Peter!  Tennessee,  enlist :ed~Aug""l4T  1862;  died  at  Selma,  Ala  ,  July  26,  1865. 
Rovce  John  W  ,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  died  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  Oct.  21,  1863. 
Bpurlock,  Lewis  I.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aue.  13, 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  1865. 
Smith,  Markcay.  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  186o. 
McElvain,  George  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  186o. 

COMPANY    I.       , 

Corporal  John  C.  Murray.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  1865. 

Bartlett,  Hiram  M..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  186o. 

Brannan,  Patrick,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  killed  at  Franklin,  lenn.,  Nov.  30,  1864. 

Cole  Samuel  D.   Prairie  City,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  transferred  to  Invalid  Corps,  Aug.  5,  1863. 

Cooper,  Cvrus,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  18(15. 

Fordham,"  John,   Bushuell,   enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.   D;  absent  sick  at  muster 

McElvain,  George  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  G;  mustered  out 

Marose,  Daniel  R.,  Prairie 'City,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  7.1865. 

Miller,  John  W,.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  12,  1863:  disability. 

Neglv,  John  F.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  29,  1863;  disability 

Sanders  Anthony,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  March  14,  1863;  disability. 

Wilson,  Curtis  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  7,  1865. 

Negly,  John  F.,   Bushnell,   enlisted  Nov.  18,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry ;  mustered 

ShrevesT  Henry  S.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Nov.  18,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  must- 
Wilson*  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Nov.  18,  1863;  transfered  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 

Wilson,  Amost Bushuell,  enlisted  Nov.  18,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 


226  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH  IXFANTRY. 

ROSTER    OF    OFFICERS. 
Colonel  Carter  Van  Vleck,  Macomb,  commissioned  Jan.  9, 1864  ;  died  Aug.  23,  1864  ;  wounded  at 

Major  William  L.  Broaddus,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  15,  18G2;  killed  Sept.  20,  1863. 
\djutant  Charles  V.  Chandler,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  20,  1862;  resigned  April  3,  1864. 
Surgeon  Thomas  M.  Jordon,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  April  5.  1863. 
Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Durham  M.  Creel,  Industry,  commissioned  March  24,  1864:  mustered 

Chaplain  Robert  F.  Taylor,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  7, 1862;  resigned  July  8,  1863. 
Sergeant-Major  Charles  V.  Chandler,  Macomb,  commissioned   Aug.   14,   1862;  promoted  Second 

Sergeant-Major  Harman  Veatch,  Tennessee,  commissioned  Aug.  15, 1862;  promoted  Second  Lieu- 
Principal  'Musician  Daniel  M.  Carroll,  Industry,   commissioned  Aug.  14,   1862;    mustered  out 

Principal  Musician  Reuben  L.  Maynard,  Industry,  commissioned  August  11, 1862;  absent  sick  at 
muster  out  of  Regiment. 

COMPANY    A. 

Brundage,  George  W.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862; 'discharged  Aug.  24,  18<i3  ;  disability. 

Brundage,  James,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Fugate,  Martin  V..  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,1862;  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Fugate  Samuel  H.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.ll,  1862;  died  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  17, 1864,  wounded. 

Frisby.  Abraham,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1875. 

Husted,  Talmon,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Scott,  Amos,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Toland,  Solomon,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11, 1862;  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Toland,  William.  Bethel,  Aug,  15,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  14,  1863;  disability. 

.Johnson,  David,  Middletowa,  enlisted  Nov.  18,  1853;  transferred  to  Co.  H,  34th  111.  Infantry. 

Hendricks,  Harvy  F.,  Colmar,  enlisted  Feb.  25,  1804;  transferred  to  Co.  H,  34th  111.  Infantry. 

Mullens,  John  W.,  Macomb;  transferred  to  Co.  H,  34th  111.  Infantry. 

Scott,  Richard  W.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Feb.  25,  1864;  died  Sept.  2,  1864  ;  wounded. 

COMPANY    C. 

Captain  Charles  R.  Hume,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  Dec.  18,  1864. 

Captain  George  W.  Blandin,  Blandinsville.  commissioned  Dec.  18,  1864;  mustered  out  June  7, 
1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Oliver  P.  Courtwright,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  Oct. 
45,  1863. 

First  Lieutenant  Andrew  J.  O'Neil,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  May  10,  1865;  mustered  out 
J  une  8,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  E.  James,  Blandinsville,  commissioned  Oct.  6,  1863;  killed  in  battle 
June  27,  1864. 

Bond,  Marion  D.  M,,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  discharged  May  5,  1865;  wounds. 

Bently,  Joseph  H,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  April  8,  1863;  disability. 

Boylan,  Thomas  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Bridges,  Thomas  B.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  I,  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Carter,  Isaac  G,,  Blandinsville,  Aug.  12, 1862:  mustered  out  July  7,  1865. 

Chaffin,  Philip,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Cole,  Eleazer,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  3,  1063. 

Curtis,  Mark  M.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  21,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  3,  1863,  as  corporal. 

Carnes,  Henry,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7, 1865. 

Clark,  Edward,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  30,  1862;  discharged  Oct.  3,  1862;  disability. 

Cline,  Marshall  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  7,  1864. 

Curtis,  Joseph  P.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Downen,  Thomas  J.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transfered  to  company  I  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Davis,  Thomas  J.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  1, 1864;  disability. 

Dowell,  George  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  29,  1863. 

Dixon,  William,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2, 1862;  deserted  Jan.  3,  1863. 

Duncan,  James  M.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Duncan,  John,  Blandinsvilie,  enlisted  Ang.  2,  1862;  discharged  March  13,  1863,  as  muscian,  dis- 
ability. 

Duffield,  WiUiam  H..  Blandinsville,  Aug.  1,  1862;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Decker,  Nathaniel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  I.  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Forrest,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Frank,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Freeland,  William  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  22,  1865. 

Green,  John  F.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Galbreath,  John  T.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Gorham,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  22,  1862:  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Gibson,  Samuel  T.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  I.  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Harmon,  William  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  21,  1862;  died  at  Savannah,  Feb.  21,  18»«5. 

Harmon,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Hamilton,  Elisha,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865. 

Hainline,  John  R.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  16, 1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  227 

Huddleston.  James  R..  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aus.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Hendricks.  Lewis,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  9.  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,1865,  as  corporal. 

James,  John  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

James.  William  E.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2.  1861;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

James,  John  E.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Ang.,  2,  1862;  1st  Sergeant,  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
June  27,  1*64. 

James,  Joseph  A.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1861;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Jenks,  Joel  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  4.  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  musician. 

Kirkputrick.  Francis  A..  Blaudiiisville,  enlisted  Aug.  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1863,  as  ser- 
geant. 

Keithley.  Perry,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12.  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Ki.-ithley.  Joseph  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  30,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7.  1865. 

Liiulsey,  Thomas,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  June  25,  1864. 

I.Mwson,  Joseph  D.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  deserted  Sept.  30,  1862. 

MHiee,  William  F.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7."1.e65. 

Morgan,  Clinton,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  drummed  out  of  service  Nov.  4,  1862. 
icher,  Silas,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Mayhugh,  John  T.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Mayhugh,  Francis  T.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  deserted  May  21,  1863. 

Marshall.  Josephus,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  9,  1863. 

Michaels.  Jacob  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  29,  1862;  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  27, 
SL864. 

Martin,  George,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Mealey,  Michael,  Blaudinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  186.i  ;  Sergeant,  killed  at  Atlanta,  Sept.  4,1864. 

Maeie.  James  K..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1862  :  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  First  Sergeant. 

Magie,  Charles  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1862  ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Aug.  19,  1863. 

Mayhugh,  Loban  D.,  Biandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862  ;  deserted  May  21,  1863. 

McFall,  Sylvester,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  discharged  Dec  10,  1864;  wounded  ;  Cor- 
poral. 

Midcap.  Nathaniel,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Meeks,  Luther.  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865  ;  Sergeant. 

Messacher,  Win.  I).,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1S62  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865;  Corporal. 

Monohan,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  16,  1862  ;  died  at  Chattanooga  April  3,  1864. 

Norris,  Charles  L.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  23,  1862  ;  died  at  Chattanooga  Nov.  6,  1864. 

O'Neii,  Andrew  J.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

O'Cain,  James,  Blandinsville.  August  16,  1862  ;  discharged  Sept.  13,  1863;  disability. 

Rush,  John  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  22.  1862;  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Roberts,  Peter  B.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862  ,  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Riddell,  Sylvester,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenii.,  Dec.  30,  1863. 

Sherry,  Marion,  Blandinsville,  Aug.  1,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Smith,  William,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  21,  1862  ;  discharged  March  7,  1873  ,  disability. 

Spielman,  Charles  L  ,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865;  Sergeant. 
iford,  Albfrt  J.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  12.  1865  ;  Sergeant. 

Sims,  John,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862  ;  transferred  to  Co.  I  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Tvft.  Cyrell,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Tipton,  James,  Blandinsville.  Aug.  16,  1862;  discharged  Nov.  11,  1862;  disability. 

Yenning.  Henry,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,*Sept.  1.  1864. 

Warner,  Wm.  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Worley,  John  L.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  7,1865. 

Wilson.  Andrew,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862  :  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

AVoodside,  John  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  29,  1862;  deserted  March  7,  1863. 

Wilson,  Elias  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  22,   1865;  prisoner  of 
war. 

Worley.  William  H.  H.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865. 

"Welsh,  James  L.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Wilhelms,  William  A.,  Blandiusville.  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  I  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Bayles,  Joseph  W.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Brown,  Frederick  P.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  3,  1863. 

Chaffin,  Michael,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug."  22.  1862:  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Kirk.  John  W.,  Hire,  enlisted  March  19,  1864;  mustered  out  June  22,  1865. 

Pace.  Ingram,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  I  Oct.  1,  1862. 

Tift,  Semer,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  July  22,  1862;  rejected  by  mustering  officer. 

T.-rry.  Richard  L.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  9.  1862:  died  of  wounds,  in  service. 

\\  arner,  Jesse,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7.  1865. 

COMPANY    D. 

Kate?.  William.  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7.  1865. 

COMPANY     F. 


Elisha  Mor-»e,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  6,   ls6">:    mustered  out  June   7,  1865;   pro- 
moted from  First  Lieutenant. 

COMPANY     I. 

Captain  Granville  H.  Reynolds,  Industry,  coramisssioned  Sept.  1,  18(32;    resigned  Dec.  19.  1SH4. 

First  Lieutenant  Hardin  Hovey,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  honorably  discharged 
-M.8.V  15.  1^65, 

Second  Lieutenant  James  H.  McCandless.  Macomb,  commissioned  September  1.  1862:  resigned 
May2K,  186;?. 


228  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  V.  Chandler,  commissioned  May  29.  1863;    promoted. 

Arnold.  Ira,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1802;    mustered  out  June  13,  1865. 

Allen,  Richard  C.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:    died  at  Andersouville  Prison,  May  28,  1864. 

Allhouse,  Lebeus,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Feb.  14,  1864,  while 
&  prisoner  of  war. 

Anstine,  Theodore  P.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862;  mustered  out  June  7.  1865,  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Buchanan,  James  C.,  Industry,  enlisted  August  14,  1861;     mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Brown,  Daniel,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9. 1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Bennett,  Albert  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862.    Died  at  Boston,  Ky.,  Nov.  12,  1862. 

Beatty  Simon  B.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Bowman.  William  H.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    died  November  26,  1863,  wounds. 

Baymiller.  Michael,  Industry,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Brown,  Christopher,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1S62;  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Jan,  23, 1864,  while 
a  prisoner  of  war. 

Bear,  John  O.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862.    mustered  out  June  7,  1865;  corporal. 

Batchelor,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Chapman,  Douglas  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Chase,  lames  M.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Clark,  Jerome  J..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    first  sergeant:  died  April  30,  1*6;>,  of  wounds. 

Cowgill,  John  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    discharged  Jan.  30,  1864;  disability. 

Carroll,  Daniel  M.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862;    promoted  principal  musician. 

Carroll,  James  S.,  Industry,  Aug.  9,  1862;    discharged  July  7,  1863,  disability. 

Craig,  Simeon,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  at  Andcr«ouville  Prison,  Sept.  22,  1864;  No. 
of  grave  9,307. 

Carnaham,  Sophroneus,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corpora]. 

Downen,  Thomas  J.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862:    discharged  April  20,  1864,  wounds. 

Diserron,  Daniel,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

David,  George  H.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    died  Oct.  2,  1863;  wounds. 

DeCamp,  Goin  S..  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11.  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865, 

Dallam,  Samuel  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Doran,  Hugh  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  May  28,  1864;  No. 
oi  grave,  1441. 

Edmondson,  Thomas,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1852:    mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Garrison,  Zacariah  M.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;     mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Gibson,  John,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;    discharged  April  6,  1863;  disability. 

Gill,  Benjamin  F  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;    mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Howe,  John  B.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Hall.  George  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Hogue,  George  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Hamilton,  Parmenium,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  Oct.  15,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Hummer,  John,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1863,  as  corporal. 

Lane,  Benjamin  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Laughliu,  Robert  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862:  mustered  out  May  24, 1865. 

Monfort,  Lawrence  M.,  Mound,  Aug.  15,  1862;  discharged  July  24,  1863;  disability. 

McCandless,  Moses  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug  14;  killed  near  Griggsville,  Tenn.'Nov.  26,  1864. 

McCandless,  Wilson,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Maxwell,  John  C.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1862:  discharged  Aug.  9,  1863,  as  corporal,  disability. 

Myers,  John  V.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865.  as  corporal, 

McClellan,  James  C,  Industry,  Aug.  9,  1862;  sergeant;  discharged  Aug.  1864,  for  promotion  in  U.  S, 
colored  troops. 

McClellan,  John,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1 862;  discharged  April  30,  1863;  disability. 

McClellan,  William  G.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  12,  1862,  for  promotion 
in  U.  S.  colored  troops. 

Mayfield,  Joseph,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug,  15;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865;  prisoner  of  wax. 

Pennington,  Joseph  L.,  Industry,  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  19,  1863;  disability. 

Pitman,  Burress  E.,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  Aug.  18,  1863;  disability. 

Pittman,  George,  Industry,  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  Aug.  24,  1863;  disability. 

Pembroke,  John  F  ,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Plotts,  Thomas  M.,  Macomb,  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Parker,  Henry,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Painter,  George,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Sept. 
1,  1863. 

Rhea,  Elias  B.,  Mound,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Ricketts,  Harvey,  Sciota,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862;  mustered  out  June  22,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Reed,  Henry  G.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 186?;  mustered  out  June  7, 1865. 

Reed,  William  R.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Shannon,  John  F.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.   14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  18,  1865,  as  first  sergeant. 

Scudder,  Jessie  B.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862,  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Stewart,  Francis  M.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1862;  died  at  Andersouville  Prison,  Aug.  20,  1864. 
No.  of  grave  6,292. 

Stewart,  Thomas  B.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  April 
18,  1864. 

Shannon,  James  P.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Seward,  John  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  Oct.  22,  1863. 

Stewart,  John  F.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9,1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  April 
28,  18b4. 

Scudder,  Martin  V.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  June  30,  1863;  disability. 

Smith,  Joseph  A.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1861;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Smith,  James  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Smith,  William  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  ]«62;  mustered  out  June  7  1865 

Tunis,  Joseph,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  19, 1862;  discharged  May  1,  1863;  disability. 

Tunis,  Isaac,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Vail,  Thomas  J.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9;  died  at  Nashville,  Term.,  July  3,  1863. 

Vincent,  David  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  14,  1865;  prisoner  of  war 

Weaver,  William,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1862;  died  Sept,  6,  186-1;  wounds. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  229 

Weaver,  John.  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862:  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Whhrow  James  E    Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1862:  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Wilson.  Lewis  R.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1S62;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Wilson.  Kufus  R.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Broaddus  Thomas  H..  Macomb,  enlisted  June  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Bridges,  Thomas  B  .  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  Aug.  24,  1863,  disability. 

Carroll,  John  R.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  Aug.  24,  1863.  No. 
of  grave  7  037 

Cupp,  Jonas  P..  Chalmers,  enlisted  Feb.  4, 1864;  discharged  May  5,  1865. 

Cupp.  William  C.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Feb.  4,  1864;  transferred  to  company  F,  34th  Illinois  In- 
fantry. 

Decker,  Nathaniel.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  6,  1S65;  prisoner  of  war. 

Ellis,  James  C..  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  19,  1864:  transferred  to  company  F  34th  Illinois  Infantry. 

Faber,  Jacob,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 

Gibson,  Samuel  F.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  July  29, 1864, 
No.  of  grave  4.201. 

McClintock,  Karr,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862:  mustered  out  June  7, 1865. 

McClure,  Hugh,  Chalmers,  enlisted  ieb.  4,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  F.,  34th  Illinois   In- 

Pac'e,  Ingram  A.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  December  13, 1864;  disability. 
Sims,  John,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  17,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 
Wilhelm,  William  A.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  20;  discharged  Oct.  1,  1864:  disability. 
Wilhelm.  Samuel?.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  July  23,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

EIGHTY-FOURTH  IXFAXTRY. 

ROSTER   OF    OFFICERS. 

Colonel  Lewis  H.  \Vaters,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865;  pro- 
moted Brevet  Brigadier-General,  Jan.  13,  1865. 

Adjutant  Charles  E.  Waters.  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  Sept.  29, 1863. 
Quartermaster  Louis  A.  Simmons,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  25,  1863;  mustered  out  June  3, 

Surgeon  James  B.  Kyle,  Macomb,  enlisted  Sept.  1,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY    A. 

Captain  John  P.  Higgins,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Captain  Willis  Edson,  Macomb,  commissioned  Jan.  24,  1865;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  William  F.  Stearns,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1.  1862;  mustered  out  May 

Second  Lieutenant  John  S.  Walker,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  6,  1865;  mustered  out  June  8, 

Sergeant  John  McCabe,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  2, 1862.    Detached  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 
Sergeant  Edwin  B.  Rail.  Macomb,  enlisted  Ang.  2,  1862;  discharged  June  11,  1863. 
Sergeant  Thomas  M.  Whitehead,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11, 1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn    Dec  11 
1862. 

Corporal  Warren  S.  Odell,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  sergeant. 
Corporal  Joseph  B.  Wortman,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  4,  1862;  discharged  April  2,  1863;  wounds. 
Corporal  David  J.  Tuggle,  Industry,  enlisted  July  30,  1862:  died  March  31, 1863;  wounds. 
Corporal  Quincy  A.  Roberts,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  killed  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9. 

Corporal  William  J.  Lea,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11.  1862;  discharged  April  21, 1863. 
Corporal  Thomas  J.  S  tarns,  Scotland,  enlisted  June  25,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,   Tenn.,  Eeb.  14, 
1868. 

Corporal  William  Jones,  Industry,  eulisted  Aug.  2, 1862;  discharged  June  26,  1864;  wounds, 
Allen,  Coffner  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11, 1862;  deserted  Sept.  22,  1862. 
Archer.  George  C.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 
Blair.  Samuel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Oct.  26,  1863. 
Brotherton,  Silas  E.   Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  at  Lookout,"  Tenn.,  Aug.  7, 1864. 
Buttler  Preston.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  discharged  Feb.  14, 1863. 
Baker.  John.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  died  Sept.  21,  1863;  wounds. 
Clark,  Jacob.  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  March  16,  1864. 
Clarke,  James  S..  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  186);  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
Clark,  Milton.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Dec.  25,  1862. 
Casto,  George  W.,  Macomb,  eulisted  Aug.  1862;  died  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  21, 1863. 
Casto,  Thomas  J..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  14,  1863. 
Cox,  Nathan  C.,  Macomb,  eulisted  Aug.  9, 1862;  transferred  to  Invalid  Corps.  Dec.  18,  1863. 
Covalt,  Abraham  B.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  April  13,  1863. 
Crane,  John  A..  Scotland,  enlisced  Aug.  9, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
Case,  Edward,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  20.  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865.  as  sergeant. 
Dunsworth.  Dinmon  B.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  20, 1862;  transferred  to  Invalid  Corps.  Dec.  18,  1863. 
Driscoll.  John,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11, 1862;  died  at  Somerset,  Ky.,  Nov.  27,  1862. 
Deardorff,  Joseph.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  discharged  April  77,  1863;  disability. 
Davis.  John  W.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8.  1865. 
Fenton,  George,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  6,  1863. 


Kelly,  James.  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  transferred"  to" Engineer"  Corps',  July  27,  1864". 
H— 15 


230  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Lane,  David  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  4,  1864. 

Lutes,  Granville  M.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  detached  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Misener,  Charles  W.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  S,  18(15,  as  corporal. 

Maury,  Thomas  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9, 1862;  promoted  to  Hospital  Steward  and  reduced; 
discharged  Aug.  6, 1863. 

Morris,  Richard  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Nolan,  Michael,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Owen.  Nathaniel,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

O'Bryan,  Edward,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  killed  as  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9, 186-4. 

Parks,  George,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,'  Feb.  13,  1863,  wounds. 

Parks,  John,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  19, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Pelsor,  John  C.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  transferred  to  engineer  corps  Aug.  2,  1864. 

Patrick,  Samuel,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  discharged  March  23,  1863:  wounds. 

Patrick,  Charles,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  February,  19.  1863. 

Remick,  Augustus,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Reno,  Joseph  L.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Robertson,  James  T.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862.  discharged  March  2,  1865. 

Shoopman,  Jacob,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862:  mustered  out  June  8.  1865,  as  corporal. 

Spear,  Samuel  R.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  2, 1862;  discharged  March  6,  1863;  wounded. 

Shepherd,  Thomas  J.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  2;  transferred  to  Mississippi  marine  brigade  April 
14,  1863. 

Hlyter,  Philo,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  2, 1863;  wounds. 

Slyter,  Lorenzo,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862:  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Smizer,  John.  Chalmers,  enlisted  A\ig.  12,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  15, 1862. 

Tuggle,  Crawford,  Industry,  enlisted  July  30,  1862;  detuched  at  mu>ter  out  of  regiment. 

Voorhees,  George  R.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  6, 1862.  died  April  13,  1862. 

Voorhees,  John,  Bethel,  enlisted  A.ug.  11,  1862<  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Walker,  Daniel,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  June  13, 
1863:  wounded. 

White,  Thomas  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Aug.  5,1862,  mustered  out  June  8,  1st;:.. 

Wood,  Richard  A.,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  December  25,  lsr,2. 

Willis,  Able  H.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1862;  died  at  Andersonvillc  Prison,  March  15,  1865. 

Wilson,  Zacharia,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Whiting,  Charles  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Wells,  Christopher  C.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  28,  1863. 

Dawson,  Richard  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Nov.  18,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  F  21st  Illinois  In- 
fantry. 

Clarke,  Benjamin  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  1,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1863. 

Chase,  Chauncey,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  March  23,  1863. 

Mitchell.  Wilford,  Macomb;  discharged  March  23,  1863;  wounds. 

McCamenout,  James  P.,  Macomb;  died  Sept.  1,  1862. 

Willis,  George  W  ,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Oet.  13,  1863. 

COMPANY   B. 

"Corporal  Richard  H.  McClintock,  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  31,  1862;  sergeant;  killed  at  Chicka- 
inauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Corporal  David  G.  Harland,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  1, 186:!:  died  Jan.  3,  1863,  wounds. 

Andrews,  Martin,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Chappell,  Woodford,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  22. 

Hannon,  Patrick,  Mound,  enlisted  Aug.  7;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Green.  William  T.,  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  31,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Leighty,  John  H..  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Miles,  Augustus.  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  31,  1862:  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  1863. 

Mitchell,  Coleman,  Industry,  enlisted  July  30,  1862;  died  April  3'  1863,  wounds. 

Smiter,  James  P.,  Eldorado," enlisted  July  31,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Stambaugh,  Jacob.  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  4,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  30,  1863. 

Stambaugh,  Samuel,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  7, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Toland,  John  T.,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Walker,  Ebenezer,  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  30.  18621  mustered  out  June  8,  1865;  wounded  twice. 

Walker,  Samuel,  Eldorade,  enlisted  July  31,  1862,  died  Oct.  24,  1863,  wounds. 

Greer.  John  A  ,  Industry,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  transferred  to  Co.  F,  21st  Illinois  Infantry;  died 
June  9,  1865. 

COMPANY    C. 

Captain  William  Ervin.  Macomb.  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
First  Lieutenant  Joseph  G.  Waters,  Macomb,  commissioned  April  18,  1863;  mustered  out  June  8, 
1865. 
Second  Lieutenant  William  P.Pearson,  Macomb,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862;  resigned  Feb.  22, 

Second  Lieutenant  William  F.  Jones,  commissioned  Feb.  22,  1863.  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

First  Sergeant  William  T.  Harris,  enlisted  June  9,  1862:  reduced;  discharged  Feb.,  1863,  wounds. 

Sergeant  John  S.  Provine,  Macomb.  enlisted  June  18,  1862:  1st  sergeant,  wounded  severely  at 
Chickamauga;  mustered  out  June  8.  1865. 

Sergeant  George  T.  Yocum,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  4,  1862;  killed  at  Stone  river,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Sergeant  John  A.  Eyre,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  18,  1862;  died  at  Macomb,  Jan.  16,  1864 

Sergeant  William  Pointer,  Scotland,  Aug.  6,  1862;  reduced,  discharged  Jan.  29,  1863,  disability. 

Corporal  Daniel  Wooley,  New  Salem,  August  7,  1862;  sergeant;  wounded  at  Chicamauga,  muster- 
ed out  JuneS,  1865. 

Corporal  William  J.  Hensley,  Macomb,  Aug.  7, 1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Dec.  19. 1862. 

Corporal  Edward  S.  Piper,  Macomb,  July  18-  1862;  sergeant,  died  at  Manchester,  July  18,  1863. 

Corporal  Alexander  Blackburn,  Macomb,  July  15, 1862;  sergeant,  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  pro- 
moted hospital  steward. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  231 

Corporal  William  L.  Hampton,  July  26, 1862;  discharged  April  14,  1863,  disability. 

Corporal  Nathan  A.  Miller.  Macomb,  June  9.  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  May  22,  1364. 

Adcock.  Joseph  T.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Jan.  6,  1863. 

A  very.  Daniel,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Broaddus,  Thomas  H.,  Macomb.  June  13,  186'J;  transferred  to  78th  Illinois  Infantry. 

Brooks.  Francis,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  19,  1862;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Nov.  23,  1862. 

Brown.  David,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  19, 1862:  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Dec.  10,,1862. 

Bowlin.  John  S.,  Macomb  enlisted  Aug.  9.  1862:  discharged  Feb.  18,  1864,  wounds. 

Cord,  William  G..  Macomb,  enlisted  July  24.  1862;  discharged  Feb.  18,  1863,  disability. 

Chapman.  William  A.,  Macomb.  enlisted  July  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Champ,  Martin  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862;  transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade, 
April  11,  1863. 

Dailey.  James.  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Dailey.  Isaac  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  April  23,  1863.  disability. 

Erwiii.  Jessie  L..  Macomb.  enlisted  AUK.  2*.  1*62:  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  wounds. 

Foley.  William  II.,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  11,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  27,  1863;  disability. 

Ferguson,  Jackson  V.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  29,  1862;  died  at  Bentou  Barracks,  Mo.,  February 
10  1" 

Hill.  James.  Macomb,  enlisted  July  22,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  19,  1862,  disability. 

Harris.  John.  Macomb.  enlisted  July  26.  1862;  mustered  out  June  8.  1865. 

Hall,  Henry.  Macomb,  enlisted  July  19,  1862;  transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade  in  1863. 

Herron.  Wesley  C.,  Macomb.  enlisted  July  5,  1862-  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Hams,  George  W.,  Macomb.  enlisted  July  24.  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Herndon,  Allen  A.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  9.  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Feb.  20,  1862. 

Hammer,  Josiah  Y.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1805,  as  corporal. 

Harlan,  Marcus  L..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  April  22,  1863;  disability. 

Johnson,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  25,  1862:  mustered  out  June  8.  1865. 

Kemble,  Thomas  E.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862:  transfered  to  Mississippi  marine  brigade  in 
1863. 

Kelsey.  Cyrus,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7. 1862:  discharged  March  13, 1863;  disability. 

Lee,  Cicero  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  June  13,  1862;  rejected: 

Markham.  Albert,  Macomb.  enlisted  Jnly  12,  1862;  discharged  March  2,  1863:  wounds. 

McQuestion.  Alexander,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1862;  died  at  Nashville.  Feb.  7,  1863. 

Martin.  Thomas  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  corporal;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865;  woun  ds 

MrDaniels,  George  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  2, 1862;  discharged  April  14,  1863,  wounds. 

Maines.  David,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862:  transfered  to  invalids  corps  Nov.  20,  1863. 

Maxwell,  George,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Pennington,  Charles  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Provine,  James  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  2. 1862;  discharged  Oct.  5,  1864;  wounds;  corporal. 

Purdam,  Abraham,  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Feb.  15,  1863;  wounds. 

Purdam.  James.  Scotland,  enlisted  Aug.  6.  1862;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865;  wounded. 

Pennington,  Richard  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  killed  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Pennington.  William  T..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7, 1862;  discharged  May  11,  1863;  disability. 

Rollins,  John  H..  Emmet,  enlisted  June  18,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  '2,  1863. 

Rhizer.  William  W.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862:  discharged  Jan.  6.  1865:  wounds. 

Sumpter.  Henry.  Macomb,  enlisted  July  1, 1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Simmons,  William  \V.,  Macomb.  enlisted  June  14,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  23, 1862. 

Sweeney,  John  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  1,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Stratum,  John  W.,  Colchester,  enlisted  July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Stratton.  Elijah,  Colchester,  enlisted  July  25.  1862;  mustered  out  June  8, 1S65;  sergeant. 

Smith,  Samuel  A..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7, 1862:  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Smith.  Edward,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  7.  1862 ;  died  Sept.  22,  1863;  wounds. 

s.wigart.  Josiah,  Macomb.  enlisted  June  19,  1862:  died  in  McDonough  county,  111.,  June  9,  1864. 

Sweeney,  William,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  March  10,  1865,  disability. 

Tandy.  Jeptha  M.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Au«.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Venable,  John  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  29,  1862:  discharged  Feb.  8.  1863,  disability. 

Vleet.  David,  Macomb.  enlisted  Aug.  9,  186:';  discharged  April  23, 1863,  disability. 

Vanmeter.  Henry,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  2S.  1*62:  died  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  June  1,  1864. 

"Withcrell.  Cyrus,  Macomb.  enlisted  June  13,  1862:  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Willis.  Abraham  V..  Macomb,  enlisted  Jnly  26,  1862:  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Dec.  6,  1862. 

Winslow.  William  H..  Macomb.  enlisted  July  21,  1862;  died  at  Nashville.  Tenn.,  Dec.  21.  1862. 

Winslow.  Charles  F..  Macomb,  enlisted  July  24,  1862;  discharged  March  5.  1863,  disability. 

Wilkinson.  Frederick,  Macomb,  enlisted  July  22.  18(52:  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  wouuds. 

Wayland,  William  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862:  Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade 
in  1863. 

Walker.  William  C.,  Macomb.  enlisted  June  18,  1862:  discharged  Jan.  28,  1863,  disability. 

Hunter.  James  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863:  transferred  to  Co.  F.,  21st  Illinois  Infantry: 
mustered  out  Dec.  16.  1865. 

Hankins,  John,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  11, 1864:  transferred  to  Co.  F.,  21st  Illinois  Infantry; 
mustered  out  Dec.  16, 1865. 

COMPANY    E. 

Taylor,  Benjamin  F.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865,  as  corporal. 

COMPANY    F. 

Second  Lieutenant  Samuel  Frost.  New  Salem,  commissioned  Sept.  1,  1862:  resigned  Nov.  23.  1863. 
Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  Price,  Eldorado,  commissioned  June  6, 1863;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865. 
Corporal  tAi  El  well.  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  killed  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862. 
Corporal  James  H.  Kennie,  New  Salem,  enlisted    Aug.  7,  1862;   Sergeant;    died  at  Chattanooga, 
Oct.  20.  1863.  wounds. 
Corporal  Rufus  L.  Cox,  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  31,  1862:  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 

AUg.  14. 


232  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


Benson,  Vachel,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  killed  at  Stone  River  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Enders,  Christopher,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  2,  J862;  killed  at  Stone  River  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Graves,  Allen,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862:  died  at  Murfeeesboro,  Jan.  23,  1863. 

Herlocker,  James  M  ,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865  as  corporal; 
wounds. 

Hammond,  Benjamin,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Kerr,  George  N.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  L8G2;  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  Feb.  11,  1864;  wounds. 

Kerr,  Clayburn  T.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865  as  sergeant; 
wounded. 

Knock,  Daniel,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  16, 
1864;  wounded. 

McCounell,  George,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Miller,  Levi  A.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  18t;5,  as  corporal. 

McFadden,  Samuel  N.,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  25,  1862;  disability. 

Nebergall,  Reuben  J.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  25.  1862;  disability. 

Seaburn,  George,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  July  1, 
1863. 

Sloan,  John  F.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aue.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Shaffer,  John,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865.  as  sergeant. 

Swearingin,  Martin,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

8wearingen,  George,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Thomas,  John,  Eldorado,  enlisted  July  31,  1861;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Turner,  Thorns  B..  Eldorado,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  May  4,  1863,  wounds. 

Wetsel,  Christopher,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Walroth,  Abram  N.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Culp,  Willliam,  Bushnell,  enisled  Dec.  23,  1802;  Iransl'erred  lo  Company  F.,  21st  Illinois  Infantry; 
mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    A. 

Campbell,  Thomas,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  sergeant;  died  at  Cowan  Station,  Tenn., 
July  27, 1863. 

Moss  Samuel.  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  13, 1862;  discharged  March  18,  1863;  disability. 

Peterman,  David  P.,  Colceester,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1863;  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  28,  1864,  of 
wounds. 

Randolph,  John  H.;  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  15, 1862;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps. 

COMPANY    F. 

Sergeant  James  W.  Fils9n,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps. 
Hollenbeck,  Francis,  Sciota,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  mus- 
eredout  July  27,  1865. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRD  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    F. 

Corporal  Andrew  J.  Justice,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865,  as 
sergeant. 

Musician  William  A.  Smith,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged  Sept.   6,   1863;  disability. 
Musician  William  E.  Cooper,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  21,  1862;   discharged  Jan.  30,  1»64;  disability. 
Buck,  Joseph  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Buck,  Joseph,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1S65. 
Baughman.  Samuel,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Ho'ler,  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Post,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  22, 1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 

COMPANY    G. 

Ames,  Amaricus,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  transferred  to  Co.  I;  mustered  out  wounded. 
Myers,  Artemus.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  27,  1864. 
Yocum,.John  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  22, 1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  EIGHTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    A. 

Freeman,  John  P.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  discharged  June  6,  1865,  as  sergeant;  dis- 
ability. 

Fortney,  Henry  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  corporal;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  Sept.  3,  1863. 

Leal,  Clark,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862:  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1865.  as  corporal. 

Martin,  Henry  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  1?,  1862;  died  on  steamer  Di  Vernon,  Jan.  18.  186S. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  233 

COMPANY  B. 

Burham.  James  T.,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  13, 1865;  died  Aug.  20, 1865. 
Haigh,  Juhn,  Eldorado;  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1865. 

Ladd,  Andrew  L.,  Sciota,  enlisted  March  27, 1865;  mustered  out  Oct.  1.  1865. 
McCants,  Leander,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1865. 
Mattelu,  Conrad,  Bethel,  enlisted  March  15,  1865  ;  committed  suicide  May  12,  1865. 
Ramsey,  Samuel,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865  ;  discharged  Aug.  23,  1865,  disability. 
Wells,  Lewis  T.,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1865. 
Weider,  Alonzo,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865 ;  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1865. 

COMPANY    E. 

Corporal  Jacob  D.  Bungar,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862;  discharged  May  18,  1865. 
Corporal  Thomas,  George  W.,  Blandinsville.  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862  ;  discharged  Oct.  10,  1864;  dis- 
ability. 

COMPANY   I. 

House,  William  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  28, 1865;  mustered  out  Oct.  1, 1865. 

COMPANY    K. 

Hazel,  Solomon,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  Transferred  to  Invalids  Corps,  Nov.  26,  1863. 

Martin,  George  \V.,  Macomb.    Transferred  to  the  33d  111.  Infantry. 

Phillip,  Phelix  L.,  Macomb. 

Toland.  D.  L.,  Macomb. 

Clark.  Peter,  Macomb;  rejected. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  NINETEENTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    H. 

Captain  Samuel  McConnell.  Bushnell,  commissioned  Oct.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 
First  Lieutenant  Henry  C.  Mullen,  Bardolph.  commissioned  Oct.  7,  1862  ;  resigned  June  3,  1863. 
First  Lieutenant  Jackson  Wells.  Bushnell,  commissioned  June  2.  1863 ;  mustered  out  Aug.  26, 
ud  Lietenant  Samuel  D.  Sawver,  Bardolph,  commissioned  June  2,  1863;  mustered  out  Aug. 

First  Sergeant  Nathan  B,  McGraw,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862  ;  discharged  Oct.  26,  1863. 
-  -ant  Levi  S.  Mils,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  1, 1862;  mustered  ont  Aug.  26,  1865,  as  1st  sergeant, 
-oant  Joel  C.  Bond,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  26, 1865. 

Sergeant  Robert  T.  Carter,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  at  Vicksburg,  Aug.  13,  1864. 

Sergeant  Paryis  H.  Moore,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13, 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 

Arthur,  Daniel,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Aug.  13, 1862;  mustered  out  July  19,  1865. 

Anderson,  William  H..  Bushnell.  enlisted  Aug.  13, 1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Amos,  George  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26.  1865. 

Bond,  Benjamin.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  deserted  March  29,  1863. 

Booth,  James.  Jr.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13.  1862;  discharged  May  25,  1863,  disability. 

Burchett.  Henry  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  discharged  June  29,  1864,  disability. 

Booth,  James  C..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 

Bechtel.  David,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1863. 

Booth,  John,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  20,  1862, 

Carter,  John  E..  Bardolph.  enlisted  4ug.  9.  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Clark.  James.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  1.  1862:  discharged  Ang.  21,  1865. 

Covert,  Joseph  B.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  discharged  June  28,  1865,  disability. 

Crownover.  Franklin  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13, 1862:  mustered  out  Aug,  28, 1865,  as  corporal. 

Covert,  David,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  28,  1865. 

Covert,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  corporal;  died  at  Jefferson  barracks,  Mo.,  Aug. 
-24.  1864. 

Cruser,  DeWitt  T.  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  26.  1865. 

Duncan,  Benjamin.  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862:  died  at  Memphis,  Aug.  5,  1864. 

Duncan.  James  E.'  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 

Dewey,  William  H..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  mustered  out  Ang.  26,  1865. 

Eby,  Jeremiah  W..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 

Frost,  Richard  T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  22,  1862,  disability. 

Faust,  Charles,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  discharged  Aug.  11,  1865. 

Falck,  Frederick,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862,  was  prisoner;  died  at  Mound  City,  111..  Dec. 
30.  1862? 

Frankenburg,  Benjamin,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  died  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  Dec. 
13,  1864,  wounds. 

Fleming.  John.  Bardolph.  enlisted  Aug.  14. 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  16,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Faulkner,  William,  Bardolph,  enlisted  Aug.  14.  1>62:  mustered  out  Aug.  26,  1865. 


Hall,  James,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  11.  1862;  deserted  March  29,  1863. 
Hunt,  Manning  F..  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1862 :  detached  at  mustering  out  of  regiment. 
Loggard,  Tolbert,  Colchester,  enlisted  August  13.  1862  ;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps  Jan- 
uary 10. 1864. 
Kepple.  James  V.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  14,  1862  ;    discharged  August  11.  1865. 


234  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Kantz  George,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  9, 1862;  discharged  June  27, 1865,  disability. 

Lemmons.  James  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  9, 1862  ;  mustered  out    August  26,  1865,  sergeant. 

Long,  Samuel  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1S62  ;  detached  at  mustering  out  of  regiment. 

McKennelley,  Wilson  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1862  ;  died  at  Memphis,  July  20,  1864. 

McMaster,  William  W.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  August  22, 1862;  promoted  to  hospital  steward. 

McMein,  Ammon  P.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  22,  1862  ;  discharged  August  21,  1865,  disability. 

Noel  William T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Oglesby,  William  T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  14,  1862  ;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Parvin  Isaac  M.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  August  14,  1862;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Pelly,  John  D.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  August  9, 1862  ;  mustered  out  August  26, 1865. 

Plotts,  John  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865,  wounded. 

Plotts  Martin  L.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  August  13.  1862  ;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Purman,  JohnH.,  Macomb,  enlisted  August  14,  1862;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Pugh,  Alexander,  Bardolph,  enlisted  August  22,  1862;  mustered  out  August  26, 1865,  as  wagoner. 

Stearns  Abdallah  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  9,  1862;  discharged  November  23,  1862. 

Snook,  Roswell  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13,  1862  ;    mustered  out  June  15,  1865. 

Sutton  James  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  13, 1862;  mustered  out  August  16,  1865,  wounded. 

Thomas,  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  14,  1862  ;  discharged  November  18,  1864,  disability. 

Wilson,  Lewis,  Bardolph,  enlisted  August  22,  1862  ;  discharged  June  22.  1865. 

Whittlesey,  W'illiam  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  9,  1862;  discharged  June  19,  1865,  wounded. 

Frankenburg,  John  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  January  5,  1864  ;    mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Maxwell,  John  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  August  22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Morris,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  October  12,  1862;  deserted  March  19,  1863. 

Camp,  Thomas  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  August  12,  1862;   from  Co.  I,  mustered  out  August  26,  1865. 

Couch,  William  H.,  Bushnell,   enlisted  Aug.  12.1862;  company  I:  died  March  30,  1863;  wounds. 

Hyde,  Charles,  Bushnell,  Aug.  12,  1862:  company  I;  deserted  June  11, 1864. 

Ittle,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862:  died  in  insane  asylum,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Oct.  1, 
1863. 

Ralston,  David  R.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  from  company  I,  transferred  to  veteran  re- 
serve corps  in  1864. 

Wagner,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  from  company  I;  mustered  out  Aug.  26, 1865. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-FOURTH  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY    D. 

Captain  Stephen  Brink,  Tennessee,  commissioned  Sept.  10,  1862;  resigned  Aug.  11,  1863. 

Captain  Abraham  Newland,  Colchester,  commissioned  Aug.  11,  1863;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1S6.~>. 

Second  Lieutenant  Travis  Mellor,  Colchester,  commissioned  Sept.  10,  1862,  resigned  June  20,  1863. 

Sergeant  John  Bechtel,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  died  at  L.  Providence,  La.,  March  21, 
1863. 

Corporal  John  Baglan,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  2,  1864;  disability. 

Corporal  James  H.  Kirk,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862:  discharged  Nov.  8,  1862,  as  sergeant. 

Corporal  Joseph  Jackson,  Colchester,  enlisted  August  8,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865,  as  .ser- 
geant. 

Musician  William  S.  Wilson,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Byerly,  David,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Bechtel,  Abraham  G.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  discharged  June  5,  1865;  disability:  cor- 
poral. 

Brodbent,  Thomas,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  May  16,  1863,  wounds. 

Barrett,  Abner,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  Oct.  24,  1863. 

Bainbridge,  John,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  at  Memphis,  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Boyd,  William  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Nov.  15, 1862. 

Calbert,  Simon,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862;  died  at  Memphis,  July  24.  1863. 

Chapin,  Robert,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  24,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Dungan,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  11, 1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Dewey,  Victor  M..  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12, 1862;  discharged  Sept.  20,  1864,  for  promotion 
inU.S.C.  H.  A. 

Deener,  William  F.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  July  5,  1865. 

Duncan,  Joseph,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  25,  1864:  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Nov.  24,  1865. 

Ennis,  John  W.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug  12,  1862;  discharged  in  1865. 

Gartside,  Job,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862;  died  at  St.  Louis,  Nov.  1,  1864. 

Green,  William  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865. 

Hume,  Thomas,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Hickman,  William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  186'->;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Hall,  George,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862;  died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Oct.  30,  1862. 

Hainline,  A.  J.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862:  mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1865. 

Milbourne,  WTiHiam,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1865,  as  corporal. 

McKenzie,  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862;  discharged  June  5,  1865;  wounds. 

Moore,  John  J.,  Middletown,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  discharged  March  17,  1865;  disability. 

Motirning,  Francis  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Mumma,  David,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Nelson,  Eldridee  C.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  Aug.  12, 1862;  transferred  to  Invalid  Corps,  Aug.  10, 
1864. 

Smith,  John  T.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Smith,  John,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug-.  11,  1862;  Deserted  Jan.  29,  1863. 

Spicer,  Benjamin  F.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865.  as  corporal. 

Terrill,  John,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  mustered  oucAug.  15,  1865;  corporal. 

York,  John,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  29,  1863. 

Young,  George  M.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  235 

Burford,  William  J.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry:  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Delay,  William  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Delay,  Jacob,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863:  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Nov.  24,  1865. 

Holton.  John  W.,  Bethel,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Nov.  24,  1865. 

Hutchinson,  Albert  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Jan.  4, 1864:  transferred  to  33d Illinois  Infantry:  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Huff,  Francis  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  25,  1864:  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Jarvis,  Henry  M.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  16, 1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Jenkins,  David,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Aug.  29, 1865,  as  corporal. 

Lowell.  John  H.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Dec.  16,  1863;  died  at  home,  May  26,  1865. 

Mitchell,  Robert,  Bushuell,  enlisted  Mar.  28,1864:  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Moore,  John.  Macomb,  enlisted  Oct.  4.  1864:  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Oct.  4,  1865. 

Mammon,  Henry  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  10,  1865;  transfeired  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Pyle,  William  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  28,  1864;  transferred  to  22d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Richards,  Jeseph  H..  Macomb;  enlisted  Feb.  29,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Richards,  John  T.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  29. 1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24, 1865. 

Shannon.  Walter,  Bushnell:  discharged  May  31,  1865,  disability. 

Sullivan,  Michael  O..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  ly.  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  2i,  1865. 

Shannon,  Edward,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  28,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Sheets,  George  R.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Mar.  28, 1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  L865. 

Swigert,  Zachariah,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Mar.  29,  1864;  transferred  to  ,33d  niiuois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Twitchel,  Almond  D.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Wear,  James  M.,  Lamoine,  enlisted  Dec.  16.  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry;  mustered 
out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

COMPANY  I. 

Captain  Thomas  K.  Roach,  Colchester,  commissioned  Sept.  10,  1862;  resigned  July  11,  1863. 

Captain  Benjamin  A.  Griffith,  Emmet,  commissioned  July  11,  1863;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Elijah  Barton,  Emmet,  commissioned  July  ],  1863;  resigned  June  25.  1864. 

Second  Lieutenant  James  M.  Griffith,  Emiuet,  commissioned  March  3,  2865;  mustered  out  Aug. 
15,  1865. 

Sergeant  James  S.  Shryack,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12.  1862:  discharged  Feb.  10,1863;  disability. 

Corporal  Thomas  O.  Bugg,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps 
Oct.  28,  1863;  sergeant. 

Corporal  Milo  Hobart,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1863;  mustered  out  June  9, 1865;  sergeant. 

Corporal  David  T.  Guy,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865;  sergeant 

Corporal  William  B.  Greeuup,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  May  20,  1865. 

Musician  Milton  J.  Stokes,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  22,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  10,  1863;  disability. 

Bowers,  Thomas  J.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  28, 1862;  deserted  in  1862. 

Browning,  John  W..  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  28,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Bugg,  Benjamin,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  at  Memphis,  Feb.  17,  1863. 

Bug?,  S.  A.,  Emniet,  enlisted  Aug.  12, 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865;  wounds. 

Campbell,  William  M.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865;  corporal. 

Duncan,  William  H..  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865. 

Foley,  Thomas,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  A  ug  15.  1862 

Forrest,  Henry  T..  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862:  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16, 1863. 

Foster,  William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Guy,  Nathaniel  M.,  tmmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  at  Vicksburg,  July  8,  1863. 

Griffith,  Cary  F.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1861;  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865,  as  corporal. 

Hainline,  Joseph  H.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Auer.  12.  1862;  transferred  to  Yeteran  Reserve  Corps 
March  15;  1865. 

Harrison.  Joseph  D.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  transferred  to  Yeteran  Reserve  Corps 
March  15,  1864. 

Hawkins.  William  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862:  mustered  out  June  6,  1865,  as  corporal. 

Kennett,  Jasper,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1861;  died  at  Memphis,  Feb.  11,  1863. 

McCanley,  Wm.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862:  mustered  out  Aug.  16,  1865, 

McDonald,  Daniel,  Co.chester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862 :  deserted  Oct.  3,  1862. 

Murfin,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862 ;  mustered  out  August  15,  1865. 

Murphy,  George  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  August  22,  1862;  mustered  out  August  15,  1865;  in  Ander- 
sonville. 

Morris,  Wm.  C.,  Emmet,  enlisted  September  12,  1862 ;  died  at  Oxford,  Miss.,  Dec,  16,  1862. 

Overton,  Joseph  B.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  '28.  1862  ;  mustered  out  Aug  15,  1865. 

Phillips,  John  C..  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862  ;  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Sypherd,  Flavius  J.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  at  home  Dec.  27,1864. 

Stokes,  Wesley  S.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  12.  1862  :  mustered  out  Axigust  15,  lf-65,  ns  Sergeant. 

Stodgill,  Isaac  N..  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug,  28,  1862  ;  discharged  Aug.  y,  1863 ;  disability  ;  died. 


236  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Teas,  Joseph  0.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Aug.  14, 1862  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865,  as  Corporal. 

Wooley,  Moses  F.,  Colchester,  enlisted  August  14,  1862;  mustered  out  August  15, 1865. 

Yard,  Job.,  Emmet,  enlisted  August  22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  August  15,  1865. 

Creasey,  John,  Hire,  mustered  out  August  15,  1865. 

Fuilerton,  Hiram,  Sciota,  enlisted  March  29,  1864  ;  transferred  to  33d  111,  Infantry  ;  mustered  out 
November  24, 1865. 

Foley,  James  M.,  Hire,  enlisted  February  26, 1864  ;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry ;  mustered  out 
November  24,  1865. 

Gilbert,  Barnhard,  Macomb.  enlisted  January  4, 1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry ;  mustered 
out  August  29,  1865. 

Gilbert,  George  G.,  Macomb,  enlisted  January  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry;  mustered 
out  November  24,  1865. 

Gilbert,  James  R.,  Hire,  enlisted  February  15,  1865;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry;  mustered 
out  November  24,  1865. 

Gooding,  Lyman,  Macomb,  enlisted  February  4,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry!;  mustered 
out  November  24,  1865. 

Griffin,  Joseph  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  January  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry;  absent 
without  lea,ve. 

Hainline,  David  L.,  Sciota,  discharged  Feb.,  1863;  disability. 

Hawkins,  Robert  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry ;  mustered 
out  November  24,  1865. 

Lo  veil,  John  N.,  Macomb,  enlisted  January  4,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry;  mustered 
out  November  4,  1865. 

Lovell,  Charles  W.,  Macomb,  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry  ;  mustered  ont  Nov.  24,  1865. 

McGraw,  Calvin,  Macomb,  enlisted  November  5,1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  111,  Infantry  ;  mustered 

Morton,  George,  Macomb,  enlisted  Jan.  4,  1864  ;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry ;  abse'nt  at  muster 
out. 

Murphy,  Luther,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  8,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry;  mustered  out 
Nov.  24,  1865 :  died. 

Rymer,  John  H,,  Emmet,  discharged  August  9.  1863  ;  disability. 

Sweeney,  William  O.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  111.  Infantry  ;  mastered  out 
Nov.  24,  1865. 

Wariner,  Ja*ies,  Sciota,  mustered  out  Aug.  15, 1865. 

Burrows,  William,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12, 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Divine,  Edwin,  Macomb,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  mustered  out  May  22,  1865. 

Frost.  Ephraim,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12, 1862;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Oct.  28, 
1863. 

Hannaford,  Charles  A.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  Corporal;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865, 
as  Sergeant. 

Hezlip,  George  P.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  died  July  13.  1863,  wounds. 

Johnson,  Amos  B.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862;  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  April  27,  1865. 

Leake,  Fennel.  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  15, 1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Masten,  Joel  H.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  mustered  out 
Aug.  15,  1865. 

Morgan,  John  H.,  Colchester;  discharged  June,  1865. 

Paulk,  Alfred,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  for  disability  at  Jackson,  Tenn. 

Silverston,  William  F.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  15,  1865,  as  Corporal 

Williams,  Sylvester  L.,  Emmet;  Corporal;  transferred  to  33d  Illinois  Infantry. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTY-SEVENTH  INFANTRY.' 

ROSTER   OF    OFFICERS. 

9  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas  K.  Roach,  Colchester,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out 
Sept.  24,  1864. 

Surgeon  William  A.  Huston,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  5, 1864;  died  at  Memphis  June  25, 1864. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Robert  G.  Scroggs,  Bushnell,  commissioned  June  9,  1864;  mustered  out 
Sept.  24,  1864. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  Benj.  I.  Dunn,  Macomb,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept. 
24.  1864 ;  was  prisoner. 

Principal  musician  James  S.  Carroll,  Prairie  Citv,  enlisted  June  5,  1864 ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 
1864. 

COMPANY    C. 

Captain  Barzillia  Veach,  Tennessee,  commissioned  June  5,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

First  Sergeant  Thaddeus  Huston,  Macomb.  enlisted  May  2.  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Sergeant  James  H.  Drais,  Tennessee,  enlisted  April  29,  1864;  mustered  out  May  21,  1865  ;  prison- 
er of  war. 

Corporal  John  B.  Russell,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Corporal  Fred.  L.  Lancey,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24.  1864. 

Corporal  James  R.  Bailey,  Macomte,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Corporal  Peter  Mclntosh,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  7,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Musician  Charles  Penrose,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  17,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Brooking,  Edward  S,,  Macomb ;  killed  while  a  prisoner,  near  Memphis. 

Barber,  George  W.,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  :  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Brown,  Isaac  N.  P.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  transierred  to  Co.  G,  mustered  out  Sept.  '24, 
1804. 

Ceminis,  Samuel,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Cord,  Thaddeus  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  17,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  18(54. 

Chapman,  Frank  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Darnell,  Homar  L.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  ,  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  237 

Dorothy,  Archibald,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  transferred  to  Co.  G,  mustered  out  Sept. 
24:  1864.  " 

Duncan,  John,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  2,  1864  :  mustered  out  Sept.  24.  1864,  as  corporal. 
Eakie,  Milton,  Tennessee,  enlisted  April  29, 1864;  mustered  out  May  25,  1865,  prisoner  of  war, 
Essex.  William,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  16,  1874:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Herron,  Eli  P.,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2.  IS1^:  mustered  out  Sept  24,  1864. 
Hooker.  Francis  M..  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2.  1864;  mustered  out  September  24.  1864. 
Kious.  Jacob,  Tennessee,  enlisted  April  29,  1864;  prisoner  of  war  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 
Lea,  William  J..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Martin.  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Miller,  Edward  M..  Macomb,  enlisted  May  17,  1862.  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Moore.  Joseph,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  18,  1864;  mustered  out  September  22,  1864. 
Naylor,  Albert,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  17,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 
Nichols.  Henry  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  30,  1864;  died  at  home  Sept.  2,  1864. 
Roach,  John  M..  Colchester,  enlisted  May  17.  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Runkle,  Darius,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864,  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1854. 
Thompson,  James,  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2.  1.S64;  prisoner  of  war  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 
Updegraff,  Ambrose  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

COMPANY    D. 

Captain  John  B.  Johnson,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  Jnne  5, 1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant  James  Robb,  Prairie  City,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out  September 
24.  1864. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  Broadbent,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  24,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept,  24,  1864. 

Sergeant  Palmer  E.  Hughsou,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  24,  1864;  promoted  sergeant-major,  mas- 
tered out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Sergeant  Peter  C  Stire.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  24. 1864;  mustered  out  September  34,  1864. 

Corporal  James  Tannehill.  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Corporal  Orion  H.  Bliss.  Prairie  City,  eniisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Corporal  Henry  C.  King,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Corporal  John  C.  Dewey,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Aborgast.  Henry.  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Boyle,  William,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1S64;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Carrier.  George  D..  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4.  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Collar,  Allen  J..  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Davis,  Albert  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

Drake,  Willitm  P.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Funs.  Joseph  H..  Prairie  City.' enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

Hull,  Henry,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  I,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Kreider.  Jacob,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4.  1*64:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

McDonald,  Isaac  J.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4.  lM>4:  mustered  out  Sept  24,  1864, 

Murray.  Arthur,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

<  >wens.  Alexander.  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4.  lN',4:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Painter,  John  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted,May  -i.  iv,4;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Plotts,  William  L..  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4.  18^4:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Raymond.  Simon.  Praifie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Robinson.  Hamilton,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

Sackett.  Solomon,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Sheley,  Samuel,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Muy  4,  1864;  died  at  Memphis,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Stantiai,  Christopher  P.,  enlisted  May  4, 1864;  killed  at  Memphis,  Ang.  21,  1864. 

COMPANY    G. 

First  Li^unnant  John  M.  Johnson,  Tennessee,  commissioned  June  5, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 
1864. 

Adcock,  George  P.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  15,  1864;  transferred  to  company  I;  mustered  out  Sept. 
24,  1864. 

Ackerson,  Joseph,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  transferred  to  company  I;  mustered  out  Sept. 
24,  1864. 

Buck,  George  W.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  transferred  to  company  D;^nustered  out  Sept. 
24,  1864, 

Carrier.  Alonza  E.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  May  4,  1S64:  transferred  to  company  D;  mustered  out 
Sept.  24.  1864. 

Crabtree.  Benjamin  F.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  deserted  May  30.  1864. 

Henry,  William  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  transferred  to  company  I;  mustered  out  Sept. 
24,  1864! 

Jelison,  Zimri,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  17.  1864;  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out  Sept.  24. 
1864 

Jelison,  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  2, 1864;  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 

Johnson,  Edward  R.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out 
Sept.  24.  1864. 
Mallarn.  Robert,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  10,  1864;  transferred  to  company  I;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 

Orr,  John,  Prairie  Citv,  enlisted  May  4,  1864;  transferred  to  company  D;  mustered  out  Sept.  24. 
1864. 

Patrick.  Charles.  Colchester,  enlisted  May  2,  1864;  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out  Oct. 
29.  LS64:  prisoner  of  war. 

Soalf.  William.  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  23.  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

Wolf,  Jacob,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  13",  1861:  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out  Sept.  24. 
1864. 


238  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Wilstead,  Thomas  G.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  May  2,  1864,  transferred  to  company  C;  mustered  out 
Sept.  24,  1864. 
Whittier,  Laforest,  Bushncll,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  deserted  June  7,  1864. 

COMPANY  I. 

Captain  William  H.  Oglesby,  Bushnell,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept  24,  1864. 

thirst  Lieutenant  Andrew  K.  V>  ilson,  Bushnell,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept. 
24,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenant  James  N.  Porter,  Bushnell,  commissioned  June  5,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 
1864. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  D.  Hendrickson,  Bushnell,  enlisted  June  i,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 
1864. 

Sergeant  James  A.  Kyle,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864 ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Sergeant  James  T.  McDonald,  Bushneli,  enlisted  May  11,  1^64  ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Corporal  Edwin  R.  Dudley,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24, 1864. 

Corporal  Myron  M.  Myrick,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  30,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24. 1864. 

Corporal  Jacob  R.  Davvson,  Bushnell,  eulistedMay  11,  1864  ;  mustered  out  May  23,  1865,  prisoner 
of  war. 

Corporal  Silas  W.  Adcock,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24.  1864. 

Corporal  Samuel  F.  Sanders,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12, 1864  ;  mustered  out  May  11,  1865,  priso- 
ner of  war. 

Corporal  Melton  B.  Chapman.  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24, 1864. 

Austin,  George  W.,  Buslmell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864 ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Arnold,  LewisC.,  Bushnell.  enlisted  May  13,  1854  ;  prisoner  of  war  at  mustering  out  of  regiment. 

Anderson,  William  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Adanas,  Charles  E..  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  18,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24. 1864. 

Barnes,  Asa  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12, 1864  ;  mustered  out  April  19,  1864,  prisoner  of  war. 

Barclay,  James,  Bardolph,  enlisted  May  20,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Bennie,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  20,  1864 ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Couch.  William  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Carroll,  James  S.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  14,  1864;   promoted  principal  musician. 

Chambers,  David,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864  ;  mustered  out  May  23, 1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Couch,  James  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11.  1864  :  mustered  out  September  24,  1864. 

Chaddock,  James,  Bushnell  enlisted  May  12,  1864  :  mustered  out  September 24,  1864. 

Condon.  Andrew  L. ,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864  ;  mustered  out  September  24,  1864,  corporal. 

Clark,  Wilbur  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864  ;  rejected  for  disability. 

Davis,  David  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864  ;  mustered  out  May  23, 1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Davidson,  Samuel  I.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  21, 1864. 

Duncan,  Isaac,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Folsom,  Edgar  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  13,  1864,  deserted  May  30,  1864. 

Dinington,  James  K.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864;  mustered  out  May  23,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Hogue,  George  P.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  13,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Hensley,  William  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Harris,  Henry  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864;  died  at  Memphis,  Sept.  1,  1864. 

Hageman,  Charles  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864.' 

Jones,  George  T.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Keirns,  William,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  13,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Little,  John  P.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  14, 1864;  mustered  out  May  26,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Lownes,  Charles  R,,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Lemaster,  James  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864,  mustered  out  May  8,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Laughlin,  Edwin  T.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Martin,  Jacob  E.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12, 1864;  mustered  out  Sapt.  24,  1864. 

Miller,  Robert  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Montague,  Benjamin,  Bushnell,  May  13,  1864;  mustered  out  May  23,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Mills,  William  D.,  Bushnell,.  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

McGinnis,  John  F.,  Bardolph,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Overman,  John  W.,  Bushnell.  enlisted,  May  20.  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24.  1864. 

Pottenger,  James  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Porter,  Lester  W.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11;  Lieutenant;  killed  at  Memphis,  Aug.  21,  1864. 

Pennell,  William  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864:  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Pearson,  Joseph  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  14,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Prindle,  Chauncey  R.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  4,  1864. 

Purkey,  William,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Pugh,  John  W  ,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  rejected  for  disability. 

Ratekin,  jWilliam  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864.  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Rodecker,  William,  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12;  1864;  mustered  out  June  6,  1865,  prisoner  of 
war. 

Shreves,  Milton,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Scrutchfield,  James  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24, 1864. 

Sherman,  Abraham,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  May  23,  1865;  prisoner  of  war. 

Smick,  William  A,,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  13,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Spencer,  William  A.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Steel,  James.  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Toland,  Stephen,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Walker,  James  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

West,  Martin,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

\Voolley,  Lewis  B.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11.  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Wheeler,  Isaac  D.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  12, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

\VychofF,  Daniel  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  11,  1864;  prisoner  of  war  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Wells,  David  L.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  May  20,  1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Wilson,  Nelson  M.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  20,  1864:  mustered  out  May  23.  1865;   prisoner  of  war. 

Walker,  Robert  A.,  Macomb,  enlisted  May  20, 1864;  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  239 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY-FIRST  INFANTRY. 

COMPANY     C. 

Captain  George  C.  Steach,  Bushnell,  commissioned  Feb.  26,  1865;  resigned  June  23,  1865. 

Captain  Jamea  L.  Cochran,  Macomb,  commissioned  July  18,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

First  Lieutenant  Harvey  T.  Gregg.  Industry,  commissioned  Oct.  4,  1865;  discharged  June  20,  1865. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant* Isaiah  L.  Bailey.  Tennessee:  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Zimri  M.  Parvin.  Scotland;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Hospital  Steward  Wiley  C.  Langford,  Mound:  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Sergeant  William  H.  Parrish,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866,  as  ser- 
geant. 

Sergeant  Henry  Arbogast,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Feb.  19, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Corporal  John  H.  Dixon,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  15.  1865:  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866,  as  sergeant. 

Corporal  Thomas  R,  Ritenour,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  14 , 1865;  died  at  Columbus,  Ga.,  Sept.  16, 
1866. 

Corporal  John  W.  Painter.  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Corporal  Abraham  Arthurs,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Corporal  Rollins  Whittlesy.  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Corporal  John  H,  Snook,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9. 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Corporal  Charles  E.  Blackburn,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865:  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Musician  Wilber  C.  Clerk,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Musician  Richard  Hillyer,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Wagoner  James  S.  Kershaw,  Bushnell.  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Adams,  Albert  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24.  1866. 

Atkinson,  William  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865  :  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866,  as  musician. 

Broaddus,  John  R.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  :  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Brink,  Stephen,  Prairie  City  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  :  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Boyer,  Silas  M.,  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  :  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866,  as  bugler. 

Beaver,  Francis  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  ont  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Chapman.  Henry,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Campbell,  Murray  L.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb,  10, 1665;  transferred  to  Co.  H,  mustered  out  Jan. 
24,  1866. 

Cottrell,  William  J.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9, 1865:  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 

Collier,  Thomas.  Bushnell.  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865 :  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Carter,  George  W..  Bushnell.  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865 ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Davidson,  Esikie  C.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866, 

Davidson,  Garrett,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Sept.  21,  1865. 

Dean.  Thomas  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Dace,  John.  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

<;ray,  James  A.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Greenwell,  Francis  M..  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  Deserted  Aug.  1,  1865. 

Gadden,  Cyrus  J..  Industry,  Feb.  15,  LS65  :  mustered  out  Sept.  1,  1865. 

Hinesman,"  William,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865 :  deserted  Aug.  1,  1865. 

Hickman,  Byard,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15. 1865 :    deserted    Aug.  1. 1865. 

Hudsen.  Washington  W.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865. 

Iseman,  David,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865 ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Jellison,  John,  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24.  1866. 

Johnson,  Joseph,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb  14.  1865;  died  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  May  1865. 

Leighty,  Henry,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb,  17,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan,  24,  1866,  as  corporal. 

Lester,  Calvin,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Langley,  Barnett    W.,  Bushnell,  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Liughiiu,  Edwin  F.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24.  1866. 

Miller,  Charles  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865 ;  mustered  out  Ian.  24,  1866. 

Moore,  James  W.,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  deserted  Aug.  1,  1865. 

Muckey.  George  W.,  Bushnell,  Feb.  15.  1865;  deserted  A«g.  1.  1865. 

Montgomery.  John,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866,  as  corporal. 

Martin,  John  B.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15.  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jau.  24,  1866,  as  corporal. 

Mariner.  George,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24,  1866,  as  corporal. 

Meyer,  Benjamin  F.,   Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Markham,  Byron,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866,  as  corporal. 

McBlvain.  George  H.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865:  mustered  out  Jan.  22,  1866. 

Marsh,  Gilbert  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

McLaren,  John,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Nickerson.  David  A.  or  H.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Nash,  Andrew  W.,  Prairie  'City,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  deserted  Aug.  1,  1865. 

Pierson,  Thomas,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb:  17,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  .24,  1866. 

Pittsinburgen,  Martin,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865:  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Hteel,  William,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14.  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Sperling,  Rpbert  B..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  )5,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866.  as  corporal. 

Seaffer,  Alliver  P..  Bardolph,  enlisted  Feb- 15,  1865;  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 

Travis,  James,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  15.  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  l!>66,  as  musician. 

Tittsworth.  John  M.,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24,  1866. 

Towers,  Henry  J..  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865:  deserted  March  7,  1865. 

Thompson,  John  W.,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1877;  mustered  out  Jan.  24, 1866. 

Thompson,  Chas.  L.,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Weisbrod,  George,  Colchester,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24.  1866. 

Weisbrod.  August,  Colchester,  Feb;  15,  1865;  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind..  Mur.  1.  1865. 

Whittier,  Laforrest,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Wenkler,  Leopold,  Bushnell,  enlisted  Feb.  15.  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24,1866. 

Waid,  John  J.,  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24. 1866. 

Wolf,  Dallas.  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  17, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24.  1866. 

Barry,  Robert,  Macomb.  enlisted  Feb.  20.  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24,  1866. 

Cord,  Thaddeus  C.,  Macomb,  enlisted  Feb.  20,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24.  1866. 


240  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

COMPANY    H. 

Corporal  Richard  N.  Pearson,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24.  1866. 
Brown,  Edwin  F.,  Seiota,  enlisted  Feb.  17,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 
Campbell,  Samuel  A.,  Chalmers,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan  24    1866 
Carstens,  Anthony  W.,  Tennessee,  enlisted  Feb.  16,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 
Crawford,  James,  Eldorado,  enlisted  Feb.  18, 1865;  deserted  Feb.  18,  1865. 
Robert,  Lewis,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  18, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 
Humberd,  John  P.,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 
Kennedy,  John,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  18, 1865;  deserted  Feb.  18,  1865. 
McDermitt,  Michael,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  18,  1865. 
McGuire,  John,  Sciota,  enlisted  February  18,  1865;  deserted  February  18,  1865. 
McCormick,  William,  Sciota,  enlisted  February  18,  1865  ;  deserted  February  18,  1865. 
McPherson,  George,  Blandinsyille,  enlisted  February  17,  1865;  deserted  February  17,  1865. 
Maxwell,  William,  Sciota,  enlisted  February  18,  1865;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 

COMPANY    I. 

Corporal  Buchanan  Ellis,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  Jauuary  24 

1866. 


Bacon,  Daniel,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 


Dorset,  Harrison,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16.  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 
Graham,  Hugh,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1865. 
Hudson,  Washington,  Hire,  enlisted  February  15, 1865:  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 
Herricks,  Almerin,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16, 1865 ;  mustered  out  September  8  1865 
Hall,  Avory,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  16,  1865 ;  died  at  Nashville,  March  7,  1865. 
Hearus,  Hiram  ;H.,  Hire,  enlisted  February  15, 1865;  mustered  out  January  24.  1866. 
Kelsy,  John  S.,  Hire,  enlisted  February  15,  1865  ;  deserted  August  3,  1865. 


_j  1866. 

Pryor,  Timothy,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16/1865;  musterecTout ;  January~24Y  1866. 
Roach,  Elam  A.,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866.- 
Robertson,  John  W.,  Blandinsville,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  oat  January  24,  1866, 
Robertson,  Barton,  Blandin*ville,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 
Strucker,  Joseph,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16^  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 
\\hitston,  Abijah,  New  Salem,  enlisted  February  16,  1865  ;  mustered  out  January  24,  1866. 

COMPANY    K. 

Allen,  John,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  °4, 1865 

Burrows,  Joseph,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Caldwell,  John,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  deserted  Feb,  24,  1865. 

Cooper,  Robert.  Industry,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Evans,  Job  J.,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out  Oct.  19,  1865. 

Farrell,  Michael,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Farrier,  James,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  18,  1865;  mustered  out  January  24.  1866. 

Hunsaker,  James,  Mound,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  ^  1866 

Hall,  George  A.,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  10,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Lovitt,  Thomas,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

O'Bnen,  John,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Pike,  John,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15, 1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Robertson  or  Roberts,  John,  Sciota,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  mustered  out,  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Toner,  John,  Wralnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24.  1865. 

Upton,  Charles  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865;  mustered  out  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Wallace,  Benjamin,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1866;  deserted  Feb;  24,  1865. 

White,  Thomas,  Emmet,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865;  deserted  Feb.  24,  1865. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Henry  J.  Faulkner,  Bardolph,  enlisted  in  the  Second  California  Cavalry. 

James  Depoy,  Company  A,  54th  Ohio;  wounded. 

Peter  Coon,  Company  H  125th  Illinois  infantry;  discharged  Jan.' 22,  1863. 

The  following  men  were  in  Company  A  12th  Illinois  Infantry.  They  were  mustered  in  United 
States  service,  in  Oct.,  1864,  and  mustered  out  July  10,  1865:  Alexander  Cochran,  Hire-  Samuel 
Godfrey,  Chalmers;  George  W.  Jones,  New  Salem;  William  Stark,  Walnut  Grove;  Wm.  B.  Naylor, 

Dr.  B.  A.  Duncan,  Company  A  138th  Illinois  Volunteers,  enlisted  May  5,  1864;  mustered  out  Oct. 

Cyrus  F.  Butler,  New  Salem,  Company  C  Engineer  Regiment  of  Missouri;  died  October  18,  1861, 
at  Ft.  Laramie. 

The  following  men  were  in  Company  B,  First  Engineer  Regiment  of  the  West,  and  enlisted  from 
Prairie  City  in  1861,  and  were  mustered  out  Aug.  19,  1864.  They  were  mustered  in  as  Missouri  vol- 
unteers and  therefore  not  credited  to  this  State:  DeWitt  C.  Folsom,  Isaac  Y.  Folsom,  Sylvester 
Davie,  Altwood  Davie,  Oliver  Halterman,  Benjamin  Benedict,  A.  J.  DeHass,  David  Stolcup  (died 
of  wounds  at  Chattanooga),  David  Cooper,  Joseph  Hatfield,  James  Snyder,  Joseph  White  Vincent 
Tally,  John  Clarrey  (died  at  St.  Louis),  Wm.  Flannagan,  Windell  Burdell,  Wm.  Spunagle,  Daniel 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  241 

•jranaglo,  Jacob  Spunagle.  Benjamin  K.  Hoover.  Wm.  G.  Patton  (formerly  First  Lieutenant  and 
promoted  to  Captain  after  the  resignation  of  DeWitt  C.  Folsom),  Peter  Moore,  Oliver  Moore,  Frank 
Limb,  Richard  A.  Malony. 

H.  H.Stevens,  mustered  into  the  5th  California  Infantry  at  Sacramento,    Cal.,  Oct.  21,  1861,  as 

private;  promoted  to  1st  Sergeant:  then  to  2nd  Lieutenant,  and  then  to  1st  Lieutenant;  and  for 

"distinguished  gallantry  "  in  battle  with  the  Apache  Indians,  was  commissioned  Brevet  Captain; 

ransferred  to  First  California  Veteran  Infantry,  and  mustered  out  at  Sante  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

in  November,  1866. 

UNITED  STATES  VETERAN  VOLUNTEERS. 

COMPANY    A. 

McConr.ell,  William  J.,  Prairie  City,  enlisted  Feb.  15,  1865:  mustered  out  Feb.  14,  1866. 

COMPANY    K. 

Yandermint,  Daniel.  New  Salem,  enlisted  April  12, 1865. 

Becg.  Matthew.  Macomb,  5Sth  Infantry,  enlisted  Oct.  19,  1861;  d  ed  at  Cairo,  Oct.  13, 1863. 

^mith,  John  O.,  Bushnell,  102d  Infantry;  mustered  out  June  6, 1865. 


242  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FIRST   IMPRESSIONS. — MARKING    STOCK. 

In  order  to  show  the  conflicting  opinions  of  the  early  settlers 
of  this  county  we  subjoin  the  following  first  impressions  formed 
of  the  country  as  they  have  narrated  them  to  us,  and  in  their  own 
words : 

Certainly  as  tine  a  country  as  ever  was  seen.  But  not  timber 
enough,  even  to  fence  it.  SALEM  WOODS. 

A  perfect  paradise  to  look  at  but  not  favorable  to  make  a  liv- 
ing. RICHARD  PENNINGTON. 

I  thought  it  splendid.     Thought  it  the  richest  land  I  ever  saw. 

GEO.  G.  GUY. 

Thought  it  a  mighty  poor  place  to  stop  at.  Thought  it  never 
would  be  settled  up  in  the  world.  WM.  J.  JACKSON. 

Thought  it  never  would  be  settled  up  only  around  the  timber. 

CHAS.  "W.  GREENUP. 

Thought  I  had  settled  on  the  frontier,  and  would  always  have 
an  outlet.  CHARLES  CREEL. 

Thought  it  a  grand  country.  SAMUEL  McCRAY. 

Thought  if  I  lived  a  year  I  would  go  back  to  Indiana,  sure. 

JOHN  LEDGERWOOD. 

I  always  admired  it ;  thought  it  a  healthy  climate. 

JSTELSON  CAMPBELL. 

Did  not  fancy  the  location.  ANDREW  ALLISON. 

Have  a  good  opinion  of  it ;  fine  county;  land  rich,  would  all 
be  settled.  WM.  MOORE. 

Got  tired  of  the  county  in  one  year.  I  went  to  Iowa,  but  was 
awful  glad  to  get  back.  JOSHUA  SIMMONS. 

Corn-stalks  looked  small.     Discouraging. 

S.  C.  SIMPSON. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  243 

Xo  question  about  the  richness  of  the  soil. 

WILLIAM  McKAMY. 

I  was  wonderful  homesick.     Thought  it  a  dreary  place  until 
next  summer,  when  everything  was  pleasant. 

M.  C.  FOSTER. 

Didn't  like  it  very  well.  J.  W.  FUGATE. 

Thought  I  would  never  live  to  see  it  settled  up,  for  it  wouldn't 
be  for  a  hundred  years.  ABRAHAM  POWERS. 

I  thought  the   country  very  good  and  liked  it  well,  but  it  was 
rather  cold.  Miss  MARY  YOCUM. 

Thought  it  was  a  bully  country.  J.  E.  D.  HAMMER. 

Thought  it  was  a  good  farming  country,  but  not  enough  timber 
to  fence  it.  SILAS  CREEL. 

I  thought  it  very  pretty  to  look  at,  but  no  timber.     The  prairies 
were  beautiful,  all  covered  with  flowers. 

BENJAMIN  F.  XAYLOR. 

Thought  the  land  would  never  be  taken  up. 

AV.  F.  WAYLAND. 

AVe  suppose  we  could  not   live   two  miles  from  timber,  for  it 
would  be  too  cold.  JOHN  !N".  DUNSWORTH. 

Thought  it  a  terrible  wild  country. 

JOSIAH  S.  HAMILTON. 

Pretty  cold.     Didn't  like  it  at  first.  MOSES  FOSTER. 

Didn't  think  much  of  the  country;  thought  everything  burned 
off  of  the  prairie.  MRS.  CATHERINE  PAINTER. 

Thought  it  a  pretty  wild  affair.  G.  "W.  THOMPSON. 

Xot  yery  favorably  impressed;  hard  times;  big  snow  fell  on  the 
fourth  of  October,  1831.  J.  S.  CAMPBELL. 

I  liked  it  first  rate.  SAMUEL  MORROW. 

Having  traveled  a  good  deal,  the  impression  was  good  ;  much 
better  than  Morgan  or  Saugamon  counties. 

SAMUEL  E.  McCLURE. 

Good.     Admired  the  appearance  of  the  country.     Did  not  like 
the  sudden  changes  of  the  weather.  GIDEON  WATERS. 

Awful  sick  of  it.     Used   to  pray  to  be  back  in  old  Pennsyl- 
vania. ELLIS  CRANE. 

Thought  it  as  good  as  could  be.  JAMES  IN".  JACKSON. 

Thought  pretty  well  of  it.     Pretty  wild  though. 

JAMES  FULTON. 


244  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Didn't  think  the  flat  prairies  would  ever  be  settled. 

WILLIAM  L.  WILSON. 

Thought  it  a  wild  world  of  Indians  and  wolves. 

MRS.  LORINA  BANKS. 

The  country  looked  mighty  wild  and  desolate. 

THOMAS  F.  WILSON. 

Darndest,  meanest  country  I  ever  heard  of.  J.  H.  HEAD. 

The  country  looked  terrible  gloomy.         NATHANIEL  MUSTAIN. 

Thought  it  the  prettiest  country  in  the  world.  But  never  ex- 
pected the  prairies  would  be  settled.  NATHANIEL  GRIGSBY. 

Thought  it  a  very  good  country.  WIILLIAM  D.  MUSTAIN. 

It  looked  mighty  gloomy,  WILLIAM  HARDESTY. 

Didn't  like  cold^weather.     Pretty  dismal  looking  country.  ' 

HUGH  CONNERS. 

I  thought  it  the  garden  spot  of  the  world.        DAVID  SEYBOLD. 

Thought  it  devilish  cold,  but  a  good  country. 

JOHN  O.  C.  WILSON. 

In  the  earlier  days  all  stock  was  permitted  to  run  at  large,  and 
in  order  that  one  might  distinguish  his  or  her  property,  a  mark 
was  placed  upon  the  animal,  and  a  record  of  the  same  made  in  the 
County  Clerk's  oflice  at  Macomb.  The  following  are  specimens 
of  the  same  taken  from  the  old  records : 

William  Job  records  his  mark  as  follows,  to-wit:  A  crop  oft  of 
the  left  ear  and  a  swallow  fork  in  the  right  ear.  This  second  day 
of  September,  1830. 

John  Hardesty  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  small  crop  off 
of  the  left  ear.  Oct.  6,  1830. 

James  Clark  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  crop  off  of  and 
an  under  bit  in  right  ear,  and  a  split  in  the  left  ear.  Dec.  8,  1830. 

Daniel  Campbell  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  small  crop 
and  an  under  bit  out  of  the  right  ear,  and  an  open  bit  in  the  left 
ear.  May  16,  1831. 

William  Osborn  records  his  mark  as  follows:  An  under  half 
crop  in  each  ear.  June  10,  1831. 

William  Pennington  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  crop  and 
an  under  bit  in  the  right,  and  a  crop  and  slit  in  the  left  ear.  July 
16,  1831. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOU<;H  COUNTY  245 

Elias  McFadden  records  his  mark,  to-wit :  A  crop  off'  of  the 
right  and  an  under  bit  in  the  left  ear,  and  his  brand,  M.  C.  and 
flour  dealers.  Aug.  2, 1831. 

Robert  Grant  records  his  mark,  to-wit :  A  crop,  a  slit,  and  an 
undor  bit  in  the  left  ear.  Feb.  4,  1832. 

James  Head  records  his  mark  and  brand,  viz:  A  smooth  crop 
off  of  the  right  and  an  under  bit  in  the  left  ear,  and  his  brand,  J. 
H.  May  12,  1832. 

Peter  S.  Wood  records  his  mark,  viz  :  A  square  crop  off  of  the 
left  and  a  hole  in  the  same  ear,  and  a  square  crop  off  of  the  right 
ear.  Oct.  6,  1832. 

Salem  Woods  records  his  mark,  viz  :  A  crop  and  blit  in  each  ear. 
Jan.  23,  1833. 

John  Cannon  records  his  mark,  viz:  A  smooth  crop  off  of  the 
left  ear  and  an  over  bit  in  the  same,  and  an  over  bit  in  the  right 
ear.  Dec.  13,  1834. 

Daniel  Seybold  records  his  mark,  viz  :  A  crop  off  of  both  ears  and 
an  under  bit  in  the  left,  and  a  slit  in  the  right  ear.  May  30,  1835. 

Levi  Hamilton  records  his  mark  as  follows,  viz :  A  crop  oft'  of 
each  ear,  and  a  slit  on  each  ear  and  an  under  slit  in  the  left  ear. 
September  5,  1835. 

Willis  Wayland  record  his  mark  viz:  A  crop  and  two  slits  in  the 
left  and  an  under  bit  in  the  right  ear.  December  31, 1836. 

James  Vest,  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  crop  off  of  each 
ear  and  a  slit  in  the  right.  November  23, 1838. 

John  W.  McCord  records  his  mark  as  follows  :  A  crop  and  an 
under  bit  and  a  split  in  the  left  ear  and  an  under  bit  and  a  split 
in  the  right  ear.  June  7,  1838. 

Samuel  Humberd  records  his  mark,  viz  :  A  slope  to  a  point  in 
each  ear.  January  29,  1839. 

Samuel  C.  Dewey  records  his  mark,  viz  :  The  left  ear  cut  en- 
tirely off  from  his  jaw  and  a  long  slit  in  the  right  hind  leg,  also, 
a  brand  next  side  to  the  fence.  March  9, 1839. 

Lewis  Mason  his  mark,  viz  :  A  hole  and  a  slit.  January  12, 
1839. 

Timothy  Robinson  records  his  mark,  viz  :  Two  slits  in  the  left 
ear  and  a  half  penny  in  the  underside  of  the  right  ear.  June  2, 
1845. 

H—16 


246  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

James  Greenwill  records  his  mark  as  follows,  viz  :  An-under 
slope  on  under  side  of  each  ear,  both  ears  foxed  to  a  sharp  point 
on  the  under  side  of  the  ears.  August  13,  1873. 

Jeremiah  Sullivan  records  his  mark  as  follows,  to-wit :  Letter 
S  on  the  left  side  of  the  rump,  ear  mark  ;  a  crop  off  the  right  ear 
and  a  split  in  the  left  ear.  1854. 

Nancy  Ryan  records  her  mark  as  follows  :  Cattle  branded  on 
both  horns  with  the  letters  IN".  R.,  and  a  split  on  the  side  of  the 
right  ear,  the  wrong  side  of  the  li  turned  down,  and  the  K  at  the 
top  of  the  horn.  Hay  mark:  A  split  on  the  top  of  the  right  ear 
and  a  crop  off  the  top  of  the  ear  with  a  notch  on  the  side  of  the 
left  ear  and  the  tail  cut  short,  lives  in  Colchester.  March  3, 1858. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  247 


CHAPTER  XX. 

NEW    COURT    HOUSE    AND    JAIL. 

At  the  September  term,  1868,  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  a 
resolution  was  adopted  setting  forth  that  it  was  the  sense  of  the 
Board  that  steps  should  at  once  be  taken  for  the  erection  ot  a  new 
court  house.  For  some  twelve  or  fourteen  years  the  question  of  a 
building  better  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  county  had  been  agi- 
tated, but  no  definite  action  taken.  Almost  every  grand  jury 
during  that  time  condemned  the  old  building  as  being  insecure 
and  a  disgrace  to  the  county,  but  the  Board  of  Supervisors  had 
not  the  nerve  to  say,  we  will  build. 

In  May,  1863,  James  M.  Campbell,  Esq.,  was  appointed  by  the 
Board  to  confer  with  the  Council  of  the  city  of  Macomb  in  refer- 
ence to  the  subject  of  a  new  building,  the  Board  being  of  the 
opinion  that  "the  city  ought  to  contribute  liberally  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  new  court  house."  At  the  September  meeting  of 
the  Board  Mr.  Campbell  reported,  and  a  communication  was  also 
received  from  a  special  committee  appointed  by  the  council  de- 
clining to  take  action  in  the  matter  at  that  time  for  certain  reasons 
therein  set  forth.  The  communication  from  the  City  Council  was 
.answered,  setting  forth  the  necessity  for  a  new  court  house  and 
stating  that  nothing  would  be  done  unless  the  city  should  do  its 
part.  A  small  sum  of  money  was  offered  at  this  session  of  the 
Board  for  the  best  plan  of  a  new  court  house,  and  at  its  next  ses- 
sion in  December,  1863,  "W.  C.  McLeod,  being  the  only  person  re- 
sponding, was  allowed  the  amount. 

At  the  September  term,  1864,  a  resolution  was  passed  request- 
ing our  member  of  the  Legislature  to  have  an  act  passed  author- 
izing the  county  to  issue  bonds  to  the  amount  of  fifty  thousand 
dollars  for  the  purpose  of  applying  the  same  toward  the  said 
building. 


248  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

At  the  March  term,  1865,  the  Board  appointed  a  committee  of 
three  to  confer  with  a  like  committee  appointed  by  the  Council 
of  the  city  of  Macomb  in  reference  to  the  location  of  the  proposed 
building.  No  further  action  was  taken  in  the  matter  until  the 
September  meeting  of  the  Board  in  the  year  1868,  when  Super- 
visor Taylor,  of  Industry,  offered  the  following  resolution : 

WHEREAS,  It  is  apparent  to  all  candid-minded  men  that  the  safety  of  our  land  records, 
upon  which  the  title  to  the  land  of  all  our  citizens  rests,  and  of  the  records  of  both  our 
Circuit  and  County  Courts,  as  well  as  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  upon  the  preservation  of 
which  depends  vast  public  and  private  rights  of  the  whole  body  of  the  people  of  the 
county,  now  rendered  the  more  striking  from  their  narrow  escape  from  destruction  by 
the  elements,  and  the  dilapidated  and  crumbling  condition  of  our  present  court  house  : 
by  many  deemed  not  only  unsafe  for  the  people  to  meet  in  while  the  courts  are  being 
held,  but,  as  all  know,  wholly  inadequate  to  accommodate  the  jurors  and  others  connected 
with  the  administration  of  justice,  absolutely  demands  the  laying  aside  all  local  feeling  and 
prejudice,  but  acting  solely  upon  a  high  sense  of  duty  to  the  people  of  the  whole  county 
that  we  should  at  once  proceed  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  build  a  court  house  adequate 
for  the  wants  of  the  large  and  daily  increasing  population  of  our  county,  and  a  safe 
depository  of  its  public  records  and  archives  ;  therefore, 

Resolced,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Board  that  measures  be  taken  at  its  present 
meeting  to  secure,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  the  building  of  a  suitable  court  house 
in  this  county. 

Supervisor  AVhite  submitted  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  likewise  adopted : 

Resolved.  That  this  Board  appoint  L.  G.  Reid  a  committee  to  procure  plans  and  speci- 
fications for  the  erection  of  a  new  court  house  in  McDonough  county,  and  the  probable 
cost  of  the  same  ;  and  to  confer  with  the  City  Council  of  Macomb,  or  others,  for  the 
purpose  of  knowing  the  amount  said  city  or  others  will  appropriate  to  build  said  house  : 
and  to  report  to  this  Board,  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  said  Board,  to  be  held  on  the  first 
Monday  in  October  next,  at  one  o'clock  P.  M. 

A  feeling  existed  among  the  members  of  the  Board  that  the 
city  of  Macomb  should  contribute  largely  toward  the  erection  ot 
the  proposed  building.  At  this  adjourned  meeting,  held  in  Oc- 
tober, Supervisor  Mustain  submitted  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  passed  by  the  Board  : 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  refuse  to  erect  a  Court  House  in  the  city  of  Macomb  until 
said  city  become  legally  obligated  to  donate  in  aid  of  the  construction  of  the  same  twenty 
thousand  dollars. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Board  to  confer  with  the  City 
Council  of  the  city  of  Macomb,  met  with  that  body  and  presented 
their  report.  The  Council  voted  to  donate  the  sum  of.  fifteen 
thousand  dollars,  and  refused  to  advance  above  that  a  single  dol- 
lar. The  Board  of  Supervisors  still  maintained  they  would  do 
nothing  in  relation  to  the  building  until  the  city  complied  with 
its  demands.  The  city  of  Bushnell  was  endeavoring  to  effect  the 
removal  of  the  county  seat  to  that  point,  and  many  of  the  citizens 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  249 

of  Macomb  became  fearful  they  would  succeed.  At  this  juncture, 
X.  P.  Tinsley,  Esq.,  went  before  the  City  Council  of  Macomb  and 
offered  to  assume  the  payment  of  the  extra  tive  thousand  dollars 
demanded  by  the  County  Board,  giving  his  obligation  to  the  city 
for  that  amount,  provided  the  city  would  accede  to  the  demands 
of  the  Board  to  donate  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars. 
Upon  the  eighth  day  of  October,  1868,  the  following  agreement 
was  made  and  signed  by  the  respective  parties : 

This  agreement  made  this  eighth  day  of  October,  1868,  between  the  city  of  Macomb, 
McDonough  county,  Illinois,  by  Joseph  P.  TJpdegraff,  Mayor,  and  William  E.  Withrow, 
Clerk  of  said  city,  agents  of  said  city,  duly  appointed  by  the  city  council  of  said  city 
for  this  purpose,  and  the  county  of  McDonough  aforesaid,  by  J.  B.  Kyle,  Chairman,  ap- 
pointed the  agent  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  said  county  for  the  said  purpose  of 
the  second  part,  witnesseth,  that,  whereas,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  said  county  have 
in  contemplation  the  erection  of  a  court  house  and  jail  for  said  county,  and  the  parties 
herein  having  had  mutual  propositions  involving  the  location  of  said  house  on  certain 
conditions  in  the  city  of  Macomb  aforesaid  which  have  been  accepted  by  the  parties,  i* 
is  hereupon  agreed  as  follows,  to-wit :  That  the  Board  of  Supervisors  will  erect  a  court 
house  in  the  city  of  Macomb  at  such  point  as  the  said  Board  may  determine,  with  which 
the  said  Board  may,  if  they  see  fit,  combine  a  jail  for  said  county,  the  said  court  house 
with  or  without  said  jail  to  cost  not  less  than  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  and  to  be  un- 
dertaken and  completed  in  a  reasonable  time.  It  is  moreover  agreed  that  the  said  Board 
shall  at  this  present  session  levy,  and  when  the  ordinary  taxes  for  said  county  are  col- 
lected for  the  current  year,  they  shall  cause  to  be  collected  towards  the  erection  of  said 
building  the  sum  of  one  per  cent,  on  the  assessed  property  of  said  county.  Also  it  is 
agreed  that  they  shall  take  steps  to  carry  forward  the  said  building  as  fast  as  the  late- 
ness of  the  season,  and  the  extent  of  the  enterprise  will  reasonably  allow. 

In  consideration  of  said  agreement  it  is  also  hereby  agreed  on  the  part  of  said  city 
that  there  shall  be  paid  by  the  said  city  to  the  said  county  for  said  purpose,  in  addition 
to  the  share  of  taxes  laid  by  the  said  Board  on  the  property  in  the  said  city,  the  sum  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  in  three  equal  payments  :  the  first,  on  the  first  day  of  May, 
1869  ;  the  second,  on  the  first  day  of  May,  1870  ;  and  the  third,  on  the  first  day  of  May, 
1871. 

It  is  also  agreed  that  should  the  said  city  pay  the  whole  or  any  part  of  said  moneys  in 
manner  as  agreed,  and  the  said  Board  for  any  cause  should  fail  to  complete  the  said 
house  in  a  reasonable  time,  or  should  abandon  the  enterprise,  that  whatever  the  said  city 
may  have  advanced  in  the  enterprise  shall  be  refunded  to  the  city  :  provided,  however, 
this  "reasonable  time"'  is  not  to  be  construed  so  as  to  hurry  the  said  Board  faster  than  a 
due  regard  to  the  quality  of  the  building,  the  extent  of  the  building,  and  the  ordinary 
mode  of  erecting  similar  buildings  of  good  grade  in  other  counties  of  the  State,  will 
allow. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  han'ds  and  seal,  the  day  and  year  just 
above  written. 

J.  P.  UPDEGRAFF, 

Mayor  of  the  city  of  Macomb. 
W.  E.  WITHBOW, 

Clerk  of  the  city  of  Macomb. 
J.  B.  KYLE, 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  McDonough  county,  Illinois. 


250  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

This  settled  the  question  of  the  erection  of  a  new  Court  House. 
L.  G.  Reid,  in  behalf  of  the  county,  advertised  for  plans  and  speci- 
fications, and  in  due  time  one  submitted  by  E.  E.  Myers,  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  adopted.  Rooms  were  rented  in  Bailey's 
new  block,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  for  county  offi- 
ces, and  the  offices  were  at  once  removed  thereto.  The  work  of 
demolishing  the  old  building  began,  and  the  lot  cleared  for  the 
erection  of  a  building  that  would  be  an  honor  to  the  progressive 
county  of  McDouough. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  of  December  following,  at  an  adjourned 
meeting  of  the  Board,  bids  were  opened  for  building  the  Court 
House,  according  to  the  plans  and  specifications  agreed  upon. 
The  following  comprised  the  number  and  the  amounts  bid  : 

B.  F.  Bushnell  &  Co f  160,000 

Peakman  &  Messenger 165,768 

D.  J.  Silver 147,500 

Same  (modified) 133,650 

A.  Walbaum  &  Co 156,000 

Mahannah  &  Dey 125,000 

W.  A.  Williamson 146,300 

C.  R.  Underwood  &  Bro 159,250 

Same  (modified) 141,000 

Martin  &  Thomas 145,000 

W.  D.  Richardson 140,000 

Same  (modified) 142,600 

The  bids  of  all  were  rejected,  and  an  effort  made  to  have  the 
house  built  according  to  the  plans  furnished  by  Mr.  Myers,  the 
county  becoming  its  own  contractor.  A  resolution  to  this  effect 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Reid,  but  voted  down.  Advertisements  were 
again  inserted  for  proposals,  and  the  time  set  for  the  disposal  of 
the  same  on  the  second  day  ot  February,  1869.  Accordingly,  on 
the  said  day,  the  Board  met,  when  the  following  proposals  were 
opened  : 

D.  J.  Silver f  129,900 

William  Young • 110,000 

Walbaum  &  Co 129,000 

Deakman  &  Messenger 143,620 

Johnson  &  Askew ...  * 137,000 

Richardson 138,750 

Mahannah  &  Dey 136,000 

Peter  Burns 137,000 

Martin  &  Thomas 139,750 

Underwood  &  Co 143,800 

A  petition  was  presented  at  this  meeting,  signed  by  sundry  cit- 
izens of  the  county,  praying  the  board  not  to  expend  more  than 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  251 

seventy-five  thousand  dollars  in  the  erection  of  the  court  house. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  act  upon  the  same,  who  reported 
to  the  board  that,  recognizing  the  right  of  citizens  to  be  heard, 
they  would  report  it  "inexpedient  to  go  back  on  our  work  and 
open  the  door  for  new  litigation,"  and  that  they  were  satisfied 
that  a  good  fire-proof  building,  suitable  for  the  purposes  of  the 
county,  could  not  be  built  for  that  amount. 

The  bids  being  duly  examined  by  the  board,  that  of  Walbaum 
&  Co.,  of  Chicago,  was  adopted  as  being  the  lowest  and  best. 
Messrs.  AValbaum  &  Co.  immediately  entered  into  contract  with 
the  county  for  the  erection  of  the  building,  and  proceeded  with 
the  work.  L.  G.  Eeid,  Esq.,  of  Larnoine,  was  selected  by  the 
Board,  at  a  salary  of  $1,200  per  year,  to  superintend  its  construc- 
tion and  entered  zealously  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Although  the  contract  called  for  the  completion  of  the  building 
by  the  first  of  Xovember,  1870,  it  was  not  until  the  summer  of 
1872  it  was  finished.  AVe  now  have  a  building  in  which  every 
citizen  of  the  county  feels  a  just  pride,  and  erected  in  a  good  sub- 
stantial manner,  fireproof  throughout.  The  following  is  the  total 
cost  of  the  building  and  the  entire  furniture  and  surroundings: 

Contractor's   price $129.000 

Heating  apparatus 5,650 

Furniture 5,777 

Fence 6,289 

Drainage 2.608 

Architect 1.800 

Superintendent • 3,427 

Bell 651 

Lightning  rods 168 

Total $155.370 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    COURT    HOUSE. 

The  exterior  of  the  building  presents  an  imposing  appearance 
and  harmonious  picture  from  whatever  point  of  view  it  is 
approached.  It  is  situated  in  the  center  of  the  square,  in  the  city 
of  Macomb,  in  the  midst  of  a  beautifully  decorated  yard,  enclosed 
by  a  neat  and  substantial  iron  fence.  This  square  is  in  the  center 
of  the  city  and  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  exact  center  of 
the  county.  The  building  is  one  of  the  neatest  and  best  in  the 
State  used  for  a  like  purpose,  and  one  to  which  every  resident  of 
the  county  points  with  pride.  The  many  valuable  public  records 
of  the  county  are  considered  safe  within  it  walls. 


252 

The  building  is  of  modern  style  of  architecture,  and  is  three 
stories  in  height  above  the  basement.  The  basement  story  is  built 
of  Sagetown  limestone,  which  gives  the  structure  the  appearance 
of  solidity,  and  is  in  beautiful  contrast  with  the  red  brick  with 
which  are  built  the  exterior  walls  of  the  main  -and  second  stories. 
The  openings  and  corners  of  the  building  are  also  trimmed  with 
the  same  kind  of  stone.  The  outside  walls  of  the  fourth,  or  en- 
tresol, story  are  covered  with  slate  and  the  roof  with  tin.  The 
roof,  which  is  Mansard,  presents  a  neat  appearance,  and  is  ele- 
gantly trimmed  with  cast-iron  trimmings. 

There  are  four  entrances  leading  into  the  corridors  of  the  main 
story,  one  in  the  center  of  either  side,  and  one  in  each  end.  Each 
of  these  open  from  a  portico  constructed  of  iron  and  stone,  and 
reached  by  fine,  wide  stone  steps.  Under  each  portico,  except 
the  one  on  the  north,  and  directly  below  the  main  entrances,  are 
openings  leading  into  the  halls  of  the  basement.  The  building  is 
surmounted  by  a  fine  belfry,  which  rises  from  the  west  end.  It 
contains  a  large  town  clock,  the  bell  of  which,  weighing  fifteen 
hundred  pounds,  peels  forth  the  hours  as  they  pass.  On  four  sides, 
and  in  plain  view  from  all  points,  are  large  dials,  with  huge  hands 
pointing  to  the  hour  and  minute.  The  entire  frame-work  of  the 
belfry  is  constructed  of  wrought  iron.  From  this  belfry  a  fine 
view  is  obtained  of  the  surrounding  country  for  many  miles,  it 
being  the  highest  available  point  in  the  county. 

The  ground  plan  of  the  building  is  114  feet  long,  by  72  wide. 
The  front  walls  are  broken  by  projections  forming  an  irregular 
outline.  Large  halls  pass  through  the  basement  and  main  stories. 
The  floors  of  the  walls  in  the  basement  are  made  of  stone,  while 
those  in  the  first  and  second  stories  are  marble  tiling,  twelve  inch- 
es square.  The  partition  walls,  with  few  exceptions,  are  made  of 
brick,  upon  which  rests  heavy  wrought  iron  beams  and  joints  for 
the  support  of  the  floors.  The  ceilings  are  of  corrugated  iron, 
painted  white.  The  halls  are  wainscotted  throughout  with  black 
walnut  and  ash.  The  doors  are  large  and  heavy  and  made  of 
ash,  with  Black  walnut  trimmings,  while  the  inside  window  shut- 
ters and  casings  are  of  the  same  materials. 

In  the  center  of  the  south  side,  leading  from  the  basement  to 
the  fourth  floor  is  a  broad,  iron  stairway,  while  one  in  the  west 
end  of  the  building,  south  of  the  main  entrance,  leads  from  the 
basement  to  the  third  floor.  Leading  from  the  fourth  floor  to  the 
balcony  of  the  belfry  is  an  iron  spiral  stairway. 


OLD  JAIL,  <>U  'M.'ALABOOaE."  AT  MAfnMIS. 


NEW  JAIL  BUILDING  AT  MACOMB. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  253 

In  the  basement  is  the  room  for  the  engine  used  for  heating 
purposes,  fuel  and  storage  rooms,  water  closets  and  bath-rooms. 
The  main  floor  has  commodious  apartments  for  the  County  Judge, 
County  and  Circuit  Clerks,  Sheriff,  Treasurer,  and  School  Super- 
intendent, with  fireproof  vaults  for  public  records.  On  the  third 
floor  are  several  good  offices,  the  private  room  of  the  Circuit 
Judge,  office  of  the  County  Surveyor,  jury  room  and  council  room 
of  the  city  of  Macomb,  also  the  Circuit  Court  room,  which  occu- 
pies the  eastern  portion  of  the  second  and  third  stories.  This 
room  is  quite  large,  with  ample  provision  for  the  bar,  witnesses, 
jury  and  spectators,  being  seated  with  about  four  hundred  arm 
chairs.  The  rooms  in  the  upper  etory  are  used  principally  for 
storage  purposes.  There  are  in  the  entire  building  thirty-four 
rooms,  all  of  which  are  heated  by  steam,  the  principal  rooms 
being  provided,  in  addition,  with  fireplaces  and  mantles.  Its  ven- 
tilation is  good  and  throughout  it  is  supplied  with  all  the  modern 
improvements.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building  was  £128,000  and 
its  furniture  §27,000.  E.  E.  Myers,  of  Springfield,  was  the  archi- 
tect; A.  ^Yalbaum,  of  Chicago,  the  contractor;  Martin  &  Thomas, 
of  Macomb,  carpenters  and  cabinet  work;  Frank  Whitson,  plas- 
terer; Ingram  &  Arganbright,  painters. 

On  the  completion  of  the  new  Court  House,  the  subject  of  a 
new  jail  began  to  be  agitated  more  than  ever.  The  old  rattle- 
trap was  pronounced  by  the  different  grand  juries  unsafe  and  a 
great  nuisance.  Large  bills  of  expense  were  continually  being 
presented  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  guarding  the  jail  and 
repairs,  so  that  the  members  began  to  consider  if  it  would  not  be 
more  economical  to  build  than  to  pay  out  the  people's  money  in 
that  manner.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  have  the  matter 
favorably  acted  upon,  but  it  was  not  until  the  beginning  of  the 
year  3  876  that  it  was  successful.  A  committee  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  examine  the  Knox  county  jail  and  had  made  a  report 
recommending  the  adoption  of  the  same  plan  with  some  modifica- 
tions. Advertisements  were  inserted  in  the  Macomb  papers,  one 
Quincy,  and  one  Chicago  paper,  and  in  March  the  bids  were  opened 
and  contract  awarded  to  J.  M.  Price  &  Co.,  of  Macomb,  for  the 
sum  of  $28,000.  Without  any  delay  the  work  was  commenced 
and  completed,  and  at  present  is  occupied  by  the  sheriff  and  fam- 
ily, with  the  prisoners  of  the  county.  The  work  was  done  in  an 
excellent  manner,  and  the  prison  is  as  safe  as  it  is  possible  to  make 
it.  The  front  part  of  the  building,  which  is  occupied  by  the 


254  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

sheriff,  presents  a  very  handsome  appearance,  and  the  whole  is  an 
honor  to  the  county.  It  may  be  thought  at  times  that  our  county 
authorities  are  a  little  slow,  but  when  they  do  anything  they  do 
it  not  by  halves — they  make  complete  work  of  it.  The  following 
is  the  total  cost  of  building,  ground,  &c.  Building  $23,000,  lots 
$900,  barn,  fences,  walks,  &c.,  $1,722  99,  making  a  grand  total  of 
$25,622  99. 

Description. — The  entire  building  is  in  height  two  stories,  with 
basement;  the  front  portion,  or  sheriff 's  residence,  is  35x42  feet,  the 
jail  proper  35x40.  The  architectural  design  is  modern,  very  neat 
and  well  proportioned,  presenting,  on  the  whole,  a  light,  cheerful 
appearance.  The  basement  is  constructed  ©f  limestone,  with  the 
exterior  surface  rough  ;  the  walls  of  the  main  building  are  of  red 
brick,  the  openings  being  trimmed  with  stone  trimmings.  In  the 
sheriffs  residence  are  eight  pleasant  rooms,  with  closets,  ward- 
robes and  halls.  There  are  three  entrances,  all  leading  into  this 
portion  of  the  building.  In  the  jail  are  twenty-four  cells,  each 
4Jx7  feet,  and  seven  in  height,  the  walls  of  which  are  of  six-inch 
limestone  flagging.  The  cells  are  arranged  in  six  tiers,  four  in 
length  and  three  in  height,  one-half  opening  toward  the  east  and 
one-half  toward  the  west,  into  corridors  eleven  feet  wide.  The 
upper  cells  are  reached  by  stairway  and  balcony,  which  extends  in 
front  of  each  tier.  Beneath  each  of  the  lower  tier  of  cells  are 
seven  feet  of  solid  concrete.  In  the  north  end  is  the  prison  din- 
ing hall,  12x35  feet.  Separating  the  dining  hall  from  the  corridors 
are  partitions  of  seven-eight  inch  iron  grating,  with  an  iron  slide 
door,  which  is  worked  from  the  hall  of  the  dwelling.  The  doors 
ot  the  cells  are  all  locked  from  the  dining  hall,  so  arranged  that 
the  sheriff'  or  attendants  are  not  required  to  come  into  contact 
with  the  prisoners.  Above  the  cells  are  two  large  iron  tanks, 
capable  ot  holding  eighty  barrels  each,  from  which  the  prisoners 
are  supplied  with  water  for  bathing  purposes.  In  the  dining  hall 
is  a  force  pump  leading  from  the  well,  which  supplies  drinking 
water.  Extending  from  the  basement  through  the  roof  is  a  ven- 
tilating flue,  3x4  feet,  with  which  each  cell  is  connected,  and 
affording  ample  ventilation.  The  outer  door,  leading  from  the 
dwelling  to  the  dining  hall  of  the  jail,  is  solid  wrought  iron  ;  the 
inner  one  a  grated  V  door.  The  heating  furnace  and  fuel  rooms 
occupy  the  basement.  In  the  rear  portion  of  the  second  story  of 
the  dwelling  are  the  female  and  debtor  apartments,  consisting  of 
three  large,  well  lighted  rooms.  There  is  also  in  this  part  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  255 

sleeping  apartment  ot  the  turnkey,  and  a  large  sized  bath  room. 
The  jail  proper  has  a  bath  room  also,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  prisoners.  A  large  vault  is  in  the  main  part,  for  the  storage 
of  stolen  property  recovered.  The  entire  building  is  covered  with 
a  tin  roof.  A  neat  iron  fence  surrounds  the  lot  on  which  it 
stands,  which  adds  much  to  its  general  appearance.  The  jail 
proper  was  first  occupied  the  latter  part  of  November,  1876,  four 
prisoners  being  taken  there  from  the  old  jail.  Sheriff  Hays  took 
possession  of  the  dwelling  on  the  first  of  January,  1877. 

"William  Quale,  of  Peoria.  was  the  architect;  J.  M.  Price  & 
Co.,  of  Macomb,  contractors ;  "W.  O.  Thomas  did  the  carpenter 
work ;  Johnson  &  Co.,  mason  work ;  Patrick  Ferman,  plasterer  ; 
Ingram  &  Argenbright,  painters,  all  being  of  Macomb.  The  en- 
tire work  was  superintended  by  William  C.  McLeod,  of  Emmet 
townships.  The  building  stands  upon  the  corner  of  West  Jack- 
son and  McArthur  streets. 

The  following  comprises  a  full  and  complete  list  of  the  names 
of  all  elective  officers  serving  the  county,  and  name  of  office  : 

County  Commissioners. — James  Clarke,  John  Hardesty,  James 
Vance,  James  Edmonstou,  Enoch  Cyrus,  Nathan  Ward,  Caville 
Archer,  Stewart  Pennington,  Asa  Smith,  William  W.  Bailey, 
John  Vance,  John  Wyatt,  Hugh  Kinkade,  John  Huston,  Isaac  G. 
Smith,  William  Furguson,  John  G.  Woodside,  Robert  Bean, 
Charles  C.  Hungate,  Samuel  Calvin. 

Judge,  of  Probate  Court. — John  Baker,  James  M.  Campbell. 
Willarn  Willis,  James  Clarke. 

County  Judge. — James  Clarke,  Thompson  Chandler,  L.  A.  Sim- 
mons, J.  B.  Nickel,  James  Irwin,  Jonathan  H.  Baker. 

County  Clerk. — Michael  Stinson,  John  Baker,  James  M.  Camp- 
bell, Isaac  Grantham,  J.  H.  Baker,  James  W.  Matthews,  William 
Ervin,  Q.  C.  Ward,  Allen  A.  Sparks,  Charles  W.  Dines. 

Circuit  Clerk— M.  L.  Stinson,  James  M.  Campbell,  William  T. 
Head,  William  H.  Randolph,  J.  B.  Cummings,  John  H.  Hungate, 
Benjamin  F.  Pinkley,  I.  X.  Pearson. 

Sheriffs — Wm.  Southward,  Lawson  II.  Robinson,  Daniel  Camp- 
bell, Wm.  II.  Randolph,  D.  Lawson,  Sydnor  H.  Hogan,  Francis 
D.  Lipe,  George  A.  Taylor,  Silas  J.  Hopper,  Amos  Dixon,  G.  L. 
Farwell,  Samuel  Wilson,  John  E.  Lane,  Thomas  Murray,  Samuel 
Frost,  J.  B.  Venard,  Chas.  C.  Hays. 


256  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Coroners — Peter  Hale,  Isaac  Bartlett,  Job  a  Woodsides,  Richard 
S.  Lowe,  John  P.  Head,  Caleb  T.  Overton,  Charles  Chandler, 
James  Anderson,  Wm.  Willis  Clayton,  John  P.  Head,  Samuel  II. 
McCandless,  David  Reeee,  J.  II.  Epperson,  J.  H.  Swigart,  Isaac 
P.  Monfort,  Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Wm.  "W.  Head,  J.  H.  Epperson, 
1).  W.  Campbell,  W.  E.  Pittman,  W.  H.  Wayland,  George  W. 
Reid. 

Treasurers. — John  Huston,  Resin  Baylor,  William  Willis,  Jessie 
M.  Chapman,  Iverson  L.  Twyman,  John  W.  Westfall,  William  T. 
Head,  Samuel  E.  Taylor,  John  S. .  Wooley,  Theodore  B.  McCor- 
mick,  John  Knappenberger,  W.  H.  H.  Hainline,  SydnorH.  Hogan, 
S.  A.  Hunt,  Anthony  Thornton,  J.  W.  Siders,  John  Neff. 

Surveyors. — Jesse  Bartlett,  James  W.  Brattle,  Charles  W.  Bacon, 
Samuel  A.  Hunt,  H.  I.  C.  Averill,  William  H.  Rile,  Charles  A. 
Gilchrist,  A.  J.  White,  J.  B.  Nickel,  W.  J.  Edie,  James  Shannon, 
B.  F.  Howard. 

School  Commissioner. — James  Vance,  Benjamin  T.  Nay  lor,  Isaac 
Grantham,  Josiah  P.  Gates,  Charles  Chandler,  John  0.  C.  Wilson, 
James  R.  Simpson,  Thomas  E.  Branan,  Joseph  C.  Thompson, 
Louis  A.  Simmons,  John  Barge,  D.  Branch,  L.  H.  Copeland,  John 
M.  Dunsworth,  H.  A.  Maxwell. 

State's  Attorney. — Thomas  Ford,  William  A.  Richardson,  Henry 
L.  Bryant,  William  Elliott,  Robert  S.  Blackwell,  Calvin  A.  War- 
ren, John  S.  Bailey,  L.  II.  Waters,  Thomas  E.  Morgan,  L.  W. 
James. 

County  Attorney. — Crosby  F.  Wheat. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  257 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

OTHER     RAILROADS. 

As  recorded  elsewhere,  McDonough  county  voted,  in  1856,  to 
take  stock  in  the  Rock  Island  and  Alton  Railroad  Company,  to 
the  amount  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  This  was  on  condition  that 
Macomb  should  be  a  point  on  that  road.  With  the  Northern 
Cross,  now  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad,  we  had  an 
outlet  east :  with  the  Rock  Island  and  Alton  we  would  secure  an 
outlet  south,  and  would  have  the  benefit  of  competing  markets 
for  our  produce,  and  also  for  our  general  trade.  After  several 
years  attempt  to  obtain  sufficient  funds  to  build  the  road,  the 
managers  were  forced  to  the  conclusion  they  could  not  obtain  the 
means,  so  the  franchises  of  the  road  were  sold  to  the  Rockford, 
Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  Railroad.  This  last  named  company 
started  out  with  a  grand  flourish  of  trumpets,  and  with  the  boast 
that  they  would  finish  the  road  in  short  order. 

Aid  had  been  voted  the  Rock  Island  &  Alton  Railroad  all  along 
its  proposed  line.  This  the  new  company  were  desirious  of  ob- 
taining and,  knowing  the  people  were  very  desirous  of  having  the 
road  built,  they  imagined  they  would  have  no  trouble  in  the  mat- 
ter. They  announced  their  intention  of  building  upon  the  origi- 
nal line  specified  in  the  charter  of  the  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis 
Railroad,  and  then  immediately  began  the  canvass  on  other  pro- 
posed routes,  and  making  offers  to  build  thereon  on  condition  that 
the  counties  and  townships  would  take  a  sufficient  amount  of 
stock  to  make  it  an  object  for  them.  The  object  of  this  was  to 
make  two  or  more  proposed  lines  enter  into  competition,  and  so 
obtain  the  largest  amount  of  money  possible.  In  this  they  suc- 
ceeded well,  obtaining  large  amounts  from  the  townships  through 
which  the  road  finally  ran.  The  eastern  Hi  e  gained  the  day. 


258  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

securing  the  road  and  voting  the  following  subscriptions  in  the 
various  townships  through  which  it  runs,  or  is  supposed  to  benefit, 
in  McDonough  county  : 

Eldorado $6,000 

New  Salem 50,000 

Mound 40,000 

Bushnell 50,000 

Walnut  Grove 15,000 

The  officers  of  the  road  continually  held  out  the  idea  to  the 
people  along  the  original  line  that  the  road  would  be  built  there ; 
the  eastern  line,  if  built  at  all,  would  only  be  a  branch  of  the 
main  line.  The  result  does  not  speak  well  for  their  veracity. 

While  the  matter  was  pending  as  to  the  location  of  the  road  a 
demand  was  made  upon  the  county  for  the  bonds  voted  to  the 
Rock  Island  and  Alton  railroad  a  few  years  previous.  The  de- 
mand was  at  first  refused,  but  finally,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the 
year  1870,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  passed  an  order  instructing 
the  clerk  to  issue  the  same  and  deposit  them  with  the  Auditor  of 
State  to  be  delivered  to  the  road  when  the  conditions  on  which 
aid  was  voted  were  complied  with.  The  bonds  remained  with  the 
Auditor  for  several  years,  until  all  were  fully  satisfied  the  company 
would  never  comply  with  the  conditions  named  in  the  vote,  when 
they  were  returned  to  the  Board. 

As  built,  the  road  has  never  been  a  paying  investment.  This 
may  in  a  measure  be  due  to  the  management,  and  we  are  inclined 
to  believe  that  such  is  the  case.  Other  roads  crossing  it  have  re- 
fused to  co-operate  or  extend  toward  it  the  usual  courtesies  due 
from  one  road  to  another.  This  has  been  particularly  true  as  re- 
gards the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  railroad,  it  refusing  to 
transfer  cars  and  compelling  all  freight  to  be  taken  out  of  the  cars 
and  reloaded  into  cars  belonging  to  themselves,  thus  entailing  ad- 
ditional expense  an^loss  of  time  upon  the  shipper. 

In  the  spring  of  1875  the  road  was  sold  under  mortgage,  the 
German  bondholders  becoming  the  purchasers.  For  about  one 
year,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Osterberg,  as  their  represen- 
tative, they  continued  to  operate  it ;  but  in  the  early  part  of  the 
summer  of  1876  a  new  company  was  formed,  composed  in  part  of 
the  German  bondholders  and  leading  business  men  on  the  line, 
to  whom  the  franchises  of  the  road  were  transferred.  This  com- 
pany changed  its  name  to  the  St.  Louis,  Rock  Island  and  Chicago 
Railroad.  They  only  continued  in  its  management  for  about  four  or 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  259 

five  mouths,  when  it  again  changed  hands,  this  time  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad  Company  becoming  its  purchaser. 
Under  the  management  of  this  last  named  company  the  success 
of  the  road  is  secured,  and  we  have  no  doubt  of  it  becoming  a 
paying  road  in  due  time. 

We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  a  statement  of  the  business  of 
the  road,  as  we  designed,  the  officers  declining  to  give  it,  for  rea- 
sons known  only  to  themselves. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  held  in 
January,  1870,  a  petition  was  presented,  signed  by  a  number  of 
the  citizens  of  the  county,  prayiug  that  a  vote  should  be  ordered 
taken  on  subscribing  stock  to  the  amount  of  $75,000,  in  a  pro- 
posed new  railroad,  called  the  Havana,  Mason  City,  Lincoln  and 
Eastern  Eailroad.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted, 
and  the  vote  ordered  to  be  taken  on  the  fifth  day  of  April 
following — the  day  of  the  annual  town  elections.  This  order  was 
rescinded  at  the  March  term  of  the  Board,  for  the  reason  it  was 
thought  that  the  promises  held  out  by  the  parties  representing 
said  road  could  not  be  complied  with,  and  therefore  it  would  be 
unwise  to  vote  upon  the  proposition. 


260  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

NEWSPAPER     ENTERPRISES. 

A  history  of  the  county  without  mention  of  its  newspapers  would 
be  incomplete — like  the  play  of  Hamlet  with  the  part  of  Hamlet 
left  out.  We  therefore  make  mention  of  the  history  of  such  as 
were  easily  obtainable.  The  first  paper  in  the  county  was  the 

McDonough  Independent. — This  paper  was  established  in  the 
year  1851,  the  first  issue  making 'its  appearance  Friday,  Septem- 
ber 12.  George  W.  Smith  and  Theodore  L.  Terry  were  its  pro- 
prietors, the  former  having  charge  of  the  editorial  department. 
As  its  name  would  indicate,  it  was  independent  in  politics,  though 
leaning  somewhat  toward  Democracy.  It  first  appeared  as  a  six 
column  folio,  being  enlarged  to  a  seven  column  folio  the  beginning 
ot  its  second  year.  Mr.  Smith,  its  editor,  was  a  sharp  writer, 
and  in  newspaper  discussion,  almost  always  came  off  first  best. 
Mr.  Terry  was  a  practical  printer,  and  had  charge  of  the  mechan- 
ical work  of  the  office.  He  only  remained  connected  with  the 
paper  about  five  months,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest  to 
the  senior  proprietor.  The  paper  never  attained  a  very  large  cir- 
culation, and  Mr.  Smith  not  being  possessed  of  any  means,  could 
not  give  it  the  attention  he  would  otherwise.  The  merchants  of 
the  town  do  not  seem  to  have  been  the  best  advertisers ;  no  local 
notices  appearing,  and  but  few  standing  or  displayed  advertise- 
ments. Patent  medicine  men  used  its  columns  freely.  In  the  first 
number  we  find  only  the  advertisements  of  three  firms,  Updegraft 
&  Maury,  druggists  and  booksellers,  and'  D.  &  C.  A.  Lawson,  and 
"W.  &  H.  Ervin,  general  merchandise.  Hampton  &  Waters  have  a 
law  card,  and  Dr.  J.  M.  Major  a  medical  card.  Several  Beards- 
town  and  St.  Lous  firms  have  cards,  showing  that  in  those  days 
the  trade  drifted  South. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  261 

The  Independent  continued  to  pursue  a  non-partisan  course  un- 
til the  fall  of  1854,  when  it  came  out  square  for  the  Democracy, 
advocating  the  doctrine  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  and  oppos- 
ing the  repeal  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  questions  then  agitating 
the  people.  With  the  first  number  of  the  fourth  volume,  to  its 
original  heading  it  added,  "and  Democratic  Review,"  making  it 
read,  McDonough  Independent  and  Democratic  Review.  This 
name  was  retained  until  September,  1855,  when  it  was  changed  to 
McDonough  Democrat,  and  R.  M.  Royalty  associated  in  its  man- 
agement and  becoming  the  responsible  editor.  In  his  salutatory, 
Dr.  Royalty  says  :  " Venerating  the  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  great 
Democratic  party,  as  transmitted  to  us  from  the  hands  of  Jeffer- 
son, Madison  and  Jackson,  and  having  an  abiding  faith  that  the 
party  will  retain  its  integrity,  unsullied  and  untrammeled  by  the 
cankering  fetters  of  fanaticism,  our  humble  efforts  will  be  direct- 
ed to  the  advancement  of  the  party  and  the  dissemination  of  cor- 
rect principles  among  the  people,  in  whom  alone  we  recognize, 
under  the  restrictions  of  the  constitution,  the  only  legitimate  source 
of  power  and  independent  sovereignty.  Resting  under  this  con- 
viction, and  that  the  doctrine  of  non-intervention  by  Congress  in 
the  affairs  of  the  States  and  Territories  embraced  in  the  late 
Kansas-Xebraska  bill  is  strictly  constitutional,  just  and  expedient, 
we  shall  earnestly  contend  for  the  finality  of  that  measure,  and  the 
defeat  of  the  allied  factions  of  Abolitionism,  Know-Xothingism, 
Fusionism  and  Republicanism,  'falsely  so  called,'  which  are 
arrayed  against  it."  The  doctor  only  remained  connected  with 
the  paper  about  one  year,  when  it  again  reverted  to  Mr.  Smith, 
who  continued  editor  and  publisher  until  its  final  suspension  in 
the  spring  of  1857. 

The  Macomb  Journal — In  consequence  of  the  expression  of  po- 
litical views  of  the  McDonough  Independent,  a  professedly  neu- 
tral paper,  many  persons  in  Macomb  were  desirous  of  establishicg 
another  paper,  and  two  young  men,  Messrs.  T.  S.  Clarke  and  D. 
G.  Swan  were  persuaded  to  embark  in  the  enterprise,  and  under 
the  name  of  the  Macomb  Enterprise  the  first  number  was  issued 
in  the  spring  of  1855.  A  favorable  impression  was  made  upon 
the  people  and  the  paper  received  a  fair  patronage,  but,  on  ac- 
count of  the  want  of  capital  Mr.  Clarke  soon  withdrew,  and  the 
paper  was  conducted  for  a  while  by  D.  G.  Swan,  with  L.  H.  Waters 
as  editor.  Finding  it  impossible  to  continue  without  financial 
H— 17 


262  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

assistance,  Mr.  Swan  sold  a  half  interest  in  the  office  to  B.  R. 
Hampton,  who,  as  editor,  continued  in  its  charge  for  several  years, 
becoming  after  a  time  sole  proprietor.  The  paper  was  established 
as  a  neutral  sheet,  but  soon  came  out  as  a  supporter  of  the  views 
of  the  anti-Nebraska  and  then  the  Republican  party,  and  in  the 
campaign  of  1856  supporting  the  nominee  of  the  Republican 
party  for  President.  In  politics  the  paper  still  continues  to  sup- 
port Republican  principles. 

Just  before  the  campaign  of  1860  Mr.  Hampton  sold  the  office 
to  J.  W.  Nichols,  who  continued  its  publication  for  some  two 
years,  a  part  of  the  time  being  assisted  in  editorial  control  by  V. 
Y.  Ralston,  Esq.,  afterward  Captain  of  Company  A,  16th  regi- 
ment Illinois  volunteers.  In  the  spring  of  1861  Mr.  Nichols  sold 
a  half  interest  in  the  office  to  James  K.  Magie,  Esq.,  who  assumed 
editorial  control  and  remained  in  that  capacity  until  the  summer  of 
1862,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  78th  regiment.  After 
Mr.  Magie  went  to  the  front  Mr.  Nichols  assumed  editorial  con- 
trol and  continued  in  its  management  until  Mr.  Magie  purchased 
his  interest  in  1863,  when  T.  S.  Clarke  leased  the  office  and  ran 
the  paper  for  some  months,  or  until  the  expiration  of  Mr.  Magie's 
term  of  service.  We  neglected  to  remark  that  when  Mr.  Nichols 
purchased  the  office  the  name  of  the  paper  was  changed  to  Mili- 
tary Tract  Journal,  and  when  Mr.  Magie  became  interested  it  was 
.again  changed  to  Macomb  Journal,  which  name  it  yet  bears. 

After  the  return  of  Mr.  Magie  from  the  army  he  continued  in 
the  management  of  the  paper  until  1865,  \vhen  he  sold  the  office 
to  B.  R.  Hampton,  Esq.,  who  continued  sole  editor  and  proprietor 
until  June  10,  1870,  when  he  disposed  of  a  halt  interest  in  the 
office  to  W.  H.  Hainline,  Esq.,  the  two  together  becoming  joint 
editors  and  proprietors,  which  relation  is  yet  continued.  The 
paper  has  grown  from  a  weak,  sickly  sheet  to  one  of  the  strongest 
and  brightest  papers  in  the  Military  Tra'ct,  with  a  circulation  sec- 
ond to  none  in  that  region.  Its  editors  are  both  live,  public- 
spirited  men  and  deserve  success.  It  is  now  a  large,  eight-column 
f  jlio,  printed  on  new  brevier  type  on  a  Taylor  power  press,  which 
15  run  by  steam,  the  old  hand  press  being  superseded  some  years 
since.  Terms,  $2  per  year.  Address  Hampton  &  Hainline. 

The  Macomb  Ledger. — This  paper  was  established  in  Macomb, 
in  1866,  by  T.  8.  Clarke,  and  only  lived  about  four  weeks.  It 
was  a  sprightly  local  sheet,  and  had  it  been  continued  it  would 
doubtless  have  done  considerable  good.  Its  editor  and  proprietor 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  263 

was  one  of  the  best  local  writers  in  the  State,  but  being  possessed 
of  no  pecuniary  resources,  without  which  no  paper  can  succeed, 
he  was  compelled  to  suspend  its  publication.  B.  R.  Hampton 
became  proprietor  of  the  office,  and  sent  it  to  Havana,  Mason 
county. 

The  Western  Light. — This  paper  was  established  by  S.  J.  Clarke 
and  Charles  P.  Whitten,  in  January,  1868.  It  was  a  large  five- 
column  quarto,  well  printed  from  new  type,  and  was  devoted  to 
literature,  art,  science,  temperance  and  local  news.  Many  warm 
words  of  commendation  were  passed  upon  it;  but  words  are 
cheap  and  will  not  support  any  periodical.  It  lived  just  one 
year.  Mr.  Whitten  was  connected  with  the  paper  but  about  four 
months,  when  Mr.  Clarke  became  sole  proprietor.  The  office  was 
disposed  of  to  Reynolds  and  Garrison,  in  December,  1868,  and  was 
used  in  printing  the  Gospel  Echo  for  about  one  year,  when  B.  R. 
Hampton  became  proprietor.  The  material  since  has  had  a  very 
migratory  existence,  and  has  been  used  in  publishing  several  dif- 
ferent papers  in  Missouri  and  in  this  State,  and  in  now  used  in  the 
publication  of  the  Macomb  Independent. 

The  BuLshnell  Record. — This  paper  was  first  established  in  1865 
by  D.  G.  Swan,  and  was  then  known  as  the  Union  Press.  Mr.  S. 
continued  its  publication  about  two  years,  when  he  sold  to  Andrew 
Hageman,  who  changed  the  name  of  the  sheet  to  its  present  cog- 
nomen, The  Bushell  Record.  Although  without  previous  experi- 
ence in  the  newspaper  business,  Mr.  Hageman  got  up  a  very 
readable  paper.  After  two  years  experience  in  newspaper  life, 
Mr.  II.  sold  the  press  and  material,  together  with  the  good  will  of 
the  paper,  to  A.  W.  Van  Dyke,  a  young  gentleman  of  good  address 
and  one  of  the  best  job  printers  in  the  State,  who  in  turn  sold  to 
S.  A.  Epperson  and  W.  A.  Spencer  in  1873.  The  latter  gentle- 
man dissolved  his  connection  with  the  same  after  one  year's  ex- 
perience, Captain  S.  A.  Epperson  becoming  sole  proprietor,  and 
yet  continues  in  control  of  the  same. 

Like  many  other  newspaper  enterprises,  the  Record  has  had  its 
ups  and  downs,  its  seasons  of  prosperity  and  seasons  of  adversity ; 
but  it  has  continued  to  toil  on,  looking  forward  to  the  better  day 
coming.  We  now  find  it,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1877,  a 
large  six  column  quarto,  filled  with  interesting  and  profitable  read- 
ing matter,  and  with  advertising  patronage  that  betokens  pros- 
perity, and  that  the  family  of  its  editor  can  have  and  enjoy  a 
little  more  than  the  bare  necessaries  of  life. 


264 

The  Record  has  lately  added  to  its  office  a  Campbell  power 
press,  and  now  boasts  of  doing  its  work  a  little  faster  and  a  little 
better  than  its  neighbors.  The  job  office  is  complete,  and  work 
of  all  kinds,  from  a  visiting  card  to  a  mammoth  poster,  or  a  large 
book,  can  be  printed  in  the  best  style.  Captain  Epperson  is  de- 
termined not  to  be  outdone  in  anything,  and  will  not  rest  until  he 
is  in  advance  of  all  his  neighbors  in  that  which  goes  to  make  a 
first  class  printing  office,  and  a  neat  readable  paper. 

Prairie  City  Chronicle. — This  was  the  name  of  the  first  paper 
published  in  the  town  of  Prairie  City,  the  first  number  of  which 
bears  date  April  23, 1857.  It  was  edited  and  published  by  R.  W. 
Seaton,  and  was  a  seven-column  folio,  well  printed,  and  an  honor 
to  the  town,  although  its  local  news  was  very  limited.  The  intro- 
ductory shows  that  its  editor  was  very  sanguine  of  success.  In 
speaking  of  its  then  limited  circulation,  he  says :  "Our  circle  at 
present  is  small,  like  that  of  a  pebble  dropped  in  the  ocean,  but  it 
will  gradually  and  silently  expand  in  every  direction  until  it 
reaches  the  far-off  boundaries  ot  civilization."  Of  course  no  paper 
could  live  in  a  small  town  like  Prairie  City  if  it  endeavored  to  ex- 
pand in  such  a  way  as  that,  as  it  surely  would  meet  the  fate  of  the 
frog  in  the  fable  that  endeavored  to  swell  its  proportions  to  the 
size  of  an  ox,  and  in  doing  so  burst  itself;  we  therefore  learn  that 
in  about  one  year  it  ceased  to  exist,  but  its  editor,  like  many  more 
of  the  craft,  had  more  grit  than  money,  and  determined  on  the 
establishment  of  another  sheet  on  its  ruins ;  and  accordingly  in 
May,  1858,  appeared  the  first  number  of  the— 

Prairie  Chief. —  A.  four  column  quarto,  and  published  in  the  in- 
terests of  the  Good  Templars.  It  lived  but  a  few  weeks,  the  or- 
der not  giving  it  sufficient  patronage  on  which  to  exist,  and  hav- 
ing no  local  news  of  any  kind,  the  people  of  the  town  in  which 
it  was  published  failed  to  render  it  any  aid.  ISext  appeared  the 

Prairie  Chicken. — We  have  been  unable  to  find  a  copy  of  the 
paper,  or  learn  any  special  information  in  regard  to  it,  further 
than  it  was  published  by  an  erratic  genius,  who  knew  more  about 
table-tipping  than  running  a  newspaper.  The  "  Chicken"  was 
doubtless  trapped  when  quite  young  and  destroyed  without  mercy. 

The  Prairie  City  Herald  is  a  thirty-two  column  paper,  is  always 
clearly  and  neatly  printed,  and  is  now  in  its  seventh  volume.  It 
enjoys  a  large  circulation  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  and  is  a  wel- 
come visitor  in  many  homes  in  the  far  west,  where  it  is  eagerly 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  265 

read  by  former  inhabitants  of  this  county.  It  was  established  by 
C.  "W.  Taylor,  a  brother  of  its  present  editor  and  proprietor,  Mr. 
IT.  B.  Taylor. 

The  chief  feature  of  this  paper  is  its  excellence  as  a  local  and 
family  newspaper.  Nothing  is  ever  permitted  to  appear  either  in 
its  editorial  or  advertising  colums  which  may  not  be  read  by  any 
family  circle  or  at  any  fireside.  It  has  a  good  advertising  patron- 
age, and  stands  on  its  own  merits.  It  gives  no  premiums  to  sub- 
scribers, and  asks  no  one  to  take  it  "just  to  help  it  along."  It  is 
well  known  for  its  short  and  spicy  paragraphs,  and  is  more  widely 
quoted  from  than  any  paper  published  in  the  county.  Terms  ©f 
subscription,  $2  a  year  in  advance. 

The  Macomb  Independent. — This  paper  was  started  as  The  Illi- 
nois Granger,  by  H.  H.  Stevens  and  E.  A.  Hail,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Stevens  &  Hail,  in  September,  1873.  It  was  devoted 
to  the  interest  of  the  laboring  classes,  and  took  strong  ground 
against  monopolies  of  all  kinds,  and  advocated  the  organization 
of  a  new  political  party.  It  supported  the  anti-monopoly  party, 
and  contributed  largely  to  the  election  of  the  candidates  on  that 
ticket  in  McDonough  county  that  fall.  The  influence  brought  to 
bear  against  it  was  almost  impossible  to  withstand,  and  men  of 
less  nerve  and  devotion  to  the  cause  would  have  given  up  the 
enterprise  as  utterly  hopeless.  Not  knowing  which  of  the  two 
old  parties  were  being  injured  most  by  the  new  organization,  it 
was  bitterly  opposed  by  the  party  organs  of  both. 

The  secret  order  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  or  the  Grange, 
was  then  attracting  a  great  deal  of  attention  in  the  county,  and 
owing  to  a  lack  of  knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  uninitiated  as 
to  the  real  object  of  the  order,  wrong  impressions  took  deep  root 
in  the  minds  of  the  public,  and  more  especially  was  this  so  with 
the  various  merchants,  who  had  an  idea  that  this  order  was 
hostile  to  their  interests.  The  Granger  defended  this  organiza- 
tion, and  hence  a  prejudice  among  the  merchants  sprang  up 
against  it.  The  Granger,  as  before  stated,  took  an  active  part  in 
politics,  and  for  this  reason  the  belief  that  the  order  of  Patrons  of 
Husbandry  was  a  political  party  becoming  quite  prevalent,  a  fact 
which  was  neither  beneficial  to  the  order,  to  the  new  party,  or 
to  the  paper.  The  mistake  in  the  selection  of  a  name  for  the 
paper  was  discovered  before  it  had  completed  its  first  volume,  but  it 
continued  under  that  name  until  March,  1876,  when  it  was  discarded 
and  that  of  Macomb  Independent  was  assumed,  under  which  name 


266 

it  is  still  published.  It  struggled  hard  for  an  existence,  and  its 
publishers  were  frequently  driven  to  borrow  money  to  meet  their 
obligations,  but  the  employes  in  the  office  were  always  paid  off' 
promptly  at  the  end  of  each  week. 

There  were  many  trying  times  in  its  history,  but  the  darkest 
days  of  its  existence  were  during  the  unsettled  political  condition 
of  the  country  which  followed  the  presidential  election  of  1876. 
On  the  thirteenth  of  December  of  this  year,  during  the  darkest 
hours  of  its  darkness,  Stevens  bought  Hail's  interest  in  the  pa- 
per, books  and  accounts — the  presses,  type  and  material  of  the  of- 
fice being  equitably  divided.  Immediately  alter  this  a  healthful 
change  set  in.  The  inactivity  which  pervaded  the  ranks  of  the 
Independent  Greenback  party  during  the  month  and  a  half  im- 
mediately following  the  election  was  succeeded  by  activity,  re- 
newed life  and  vigor.  "Organize  for  1880"  were  the  words  of  the 
national  executive  committee  of  the  Independent  party,  and  it 
seemed  to  meet  with  a  hearty  response  from  the  people.  More 
money  was  paid  in  on  subscription  to  the  Independent  during  the 
two  first  weeks  in  January,  1877,  than  had  been  received  from 
the  day  ot  election  up  to  the  first  of  that  month.  ]STew  hopes 
and  new  energies  were  begotten,  new  names  were  enrolled,  new 
advertisements  came  in,  and  the  success  of  the  paper  was  assured. 
It  now  -  circulates  about  700  copies  among  the  farmers  of  the 
county.  It  had  a  hard  struggle,  it  met  with  a  powerful  a 'ad  de- 
termined opposition,  but  it  braved  all  and  its  future  prospects  are 
bright  and  full  of  hope.  Subscription  price  $2  00  per  year.  Of- 
fice in  Campbell's  block,  west  side  of  the  square. 

The  Gleaner — This  paper  was  started  in  January,  1876,  and  is 
one  of  the  neatest  and  sprightliest  in  the  county.  In  politics  it  is 
independent,  not  in  a  partisan  sense  but  in  conduct.  Its  editor 
and  publisher  is  J.  E.  Oummings.  Connected  with  the  office  is  a 
No.  1  job  office,  presided  over  by  one  of  the  best  job  printers  in 
the  Military  Tract.  Terms  of  subscription  $2  per  annum  in  ad- 
vance. Address  J.  E.  Cummings,  Bushnell,  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  267 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD. 

Very  likely  all  of  our  readers  have  heard  ot  the  famous  Under- 
ground Railroad,  but  very  few  know  anything  of  its  system  of 
work.  Happily  the  corporation  does  not  now  exist,  the  necessity 
for  the  enterprise  not  being  apparent  at  the  present  time,  as  the 
class  of  freight  or  passengers  transported  over  the  line  are  not 
now  produced. 

The  question  of  slavery  has  always  been  a  mixed  one,  from  the 
time  the  first  slave  was  imported  into  our  country  until,  by  the 
emancipation  proclamation  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  all  men  were  made 
free  and  equal  in  the  eyes  of  the  law.  A  strong  anti-slavery  party 
has  long  existed  in  the  country.  The  framers  of  our  constitution 
upon  the  organization  of  the  governmenthad  to  deal  with  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery;  the  successive  administrations  from  Washington  to 
Lincoln  had  to  grapple  with  it;  various  compromises  were  adopted, 
which  it  was  thought  would  quiet  its  spirit,  but,  like  Banquo's 
ghost  it  would  not  down  at  the  bidding  of  any  man  or  party.  The 
death  of  Lovejoy  at  Alton,  in  1837,  a  martyr  to  the  anti-slavery 
cause,  gave  an  impetus  to  the  agitation  of  the  question  which 
never  ceased  until  the  final  act  was  consummated  which  broke  in 
pieces  the  shackles  that  bound  the  slave. 

Growing  out  of  the  agitation  of  this  question,  and  the  formation 
of  a  party  of  those  in  sympathy  with  the  slaves,  was  the  organiza- 
tion ot  the  so-called  Underground  Railroad,  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  fugitives  to  escape  to  a  land  of  freedom.  The  secrecy  of  its 
workings  justified  its  name.  Notwithstanding  the  system  was  an 
organized  one,  those  engaged  in  it  had  no  signs  nor  passwords  by 
which  they  might  be  known,  save  now  and  then  a  preconcerted 
rap  at  the  door  when  a  cargo  of  freight  was  to  be  delivered.  Each 
relied  upon  the  honor  of  the  other, and  as  the  work  was  an  extra- 


268 

hazardous  one,  few  cowards  ever  engaged  in  it.  Pro-slavery  men 
complained  bitterly  of  the  violation  of  the  law  by  their  abolition 
neighbors,  and  persecuted  them  as  much  as  they  dared,  and  this 
was  not  a  little.  But  the  friends  of  the  slave  were  not  to  be  de- 
terred by  persecution.  "  The  blood  of  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the 
church,"  and  persecution  only  made  them  more  determined  than 
ever  to  carry  out  their  just  convictions  of  right  and  duty.  No 
class  of  people  ever  made  better  neighbors  than  the  Abolitionists, 
or  better  conductors  on  a  railroad. 

A  very  singular  circumstance  in  connection  with  this  road  was 
the  fact  that,  although  people  well  knew  who  were  engaged  in  it, 
and  where  the  depot  was  located,  freight  could  seldom  be  found, 
search  as  carefully  as  they  might.  A  consignment  would  be  for- 
warded over  the  line,  notice  of  which  would  reach  the  ears  of 
slave  hunters,  and  when  ready  to  place  their  hands  upon  the  fugi- 
tives, like  the  Irishman's  flea,  they  wouldn't  be  there.  Only  one 
case  is  reported  on  the  line  through  this  county  of  the  recapture 
of  a  slave,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  turther  on  in  this 
chapter,  while  hundreds  were  forwarded  over  it  during  the 
twenty-five  years  of  its  running  time.  We  may  here  remark 
there  were  various  branches  of  this  road  having  a  starting  point 
at  different  places.  The  line  running  through  McDonough  began 
in  Quincy,  and  ran  nearly  parallel  with  the  present  0.,  B.  &  Q. 
R.  R.  The  business  for  a  number  of  years  was  quite  extensive," 
but  to-day  all  the  employes  of  the  road  are  discharged,  and  strange 
to  relate,  none  are  sorry,  but  all  rejoice  in  the  fact.  f  As  illustrat- 
ing the  peculiarities  of  this  line,  we  append  several  incidents  that 
principally  occurred  in  this  county. 

"  What  Am  1?" — Charley  was  a  likely  "  boy,"  the  property  of  a 
man  living  near  Hannibal,  Mo.  He  had  been  well  treated  in 
every  respect  and  allowed  many  liberties  not  enjoyed  by  the  race 
in  general.  The  thought  of  his  being  a  slave  had  never  entered 
his  mind  and  probably  never  would  had  not  a  little  circumstance 
occurred  that  presented  it  in  a  very  forcible  manner.  Quite  a 
number  of  slaves  had  escaped  from  Missouri,  and  the  matter  was 
being  generally  discussed  by  all  classes  in  the  State,  and  at  a  gath- 
ering where  Charley  and  his  master  were  both  present  the  subject 
was  again  discussed,  when  the  master  said: 

"If  any  of  my  slaves  should  escape  I  should  never  rest  until  I  got 
them  back.  Now,  Charley,  here,  if  he  should  escape,  I  would  not 
take  a  drink  of  whisky  or  a  chew  of  tobacco  until  I  had  him  safe." 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  269 

In  narrating  the  circumstances  afterward,  Charley  said  :  "  The 
thought  suddenly  flashed  through  my  mind,  What  am  I?  Am  I, 
or  I  am  I  not,  a  human  being,  with  power  to  feel,  and  think, 
and  act?  Have  I  a  soul,  or  am  I  a  machine  to  be  set  in  motion  and 
act  in  accordance  with  the  will  of  one  made  in  the  same  manner 
as  I  am,  save  of  different  color  ?  Such  thoughts  never  entered  my 
mind  before.  I  had  plenty  to  eat  and  drink,  and  was  well  clothed, 
had  a  fair  education,  had  been  in  company  with  men  of  talent, 
but,  of  course,  without  power  to  express  my  own  thoughts  had  I 
the  desire  to  do  so.  I  thought  that  I  would  give  my  master  an 
opportunity  to  put  his  threat  into  execution,  and  I  did  so." 

Having  many  liberties,  as  we  have  before  remarked,  with  power 
to  come  and  go  as  he  thought  best,  a  few  days  after,  as  evening 
approached,  Charley  gave  out  to  his  fellow  slaves  that  he  was 
going  to  Hannibal  to  attend  a  colored  dance.  Mounting  a  horse, 
he  rode  off  in  that  direction,  but,  changing  his  course,  he  went 
north  until  nearly  opposite  Quincy,  when,  leaving  his  horse,  he 
searched  the  river  bank,  and  finding  an  old  skiff,  he  crossed  over, 
and  landed  at  the  general  depot  of  the  Underground  Railroad. 
Here  he  secured  passage  for  the  colored  people's  canaan,  Canada. 
Coming  from  Quincy  by  way  of  Round  Prairie,  he  made  Blazer's 
Station,  this  county,  early  one  morning,  where  he  laid  by  to  enjoy 
a  little  rest  and  secure  the  services  of  another  conductor.  Mr. 
Blazer  took  him  in  charge,  keeping  him  that  day,  learning  Ms 
story,  and  after  dark  took  him  to  the  next  station  on  his  journey. 
Thus  he  continued  until  he  reached  the  terminus  of  the  route. 

A  few  months  afterward  Mr.  Blazer  was  somewhat  surprised  to 
see  Charley  back,  and  learned  he  was  returning  to  secure,  if  pos- 
sible, his  wife  and  two  children.  Bidding  him  God-speed,  he  sent 
him  on  his  way.  When  he  arrived  at  Quincy  he  secured  an  excel- 
lent skiff' from  the  general  agent  of  the  road  at  that  point,  and 
for  some  days  endeavored  to  secure  an  opportunity  of  getting  his 
family  away.  But  all  his  efforts  were  without  avail,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  return  without  his  dear  wife  and  children,  though 

managed  to  run  off  several  slaves  from  the  neighborhood. 

A  few  months  passed  away  and  Charley  again  returned  and 
made  another  attempt  to  get  his  wife  and  children,  but  again  failed. 
A  third  attempt  was  made,  this  time  with  partial  success,  ending 
in  failure.  It  was  suspected  by  his  master  he  would  return  for 
this  purpose,  and  he  kept  a  strict  watch  over  the  wife  and  chil- 


270  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

dren  of  his  runaway  slave,  compelling  them  to  sleep  in  a  room 
above  the  one  occupied  by  himself  and  wife,  and  through  which 
one  was  compelled  to  pass  to  reach  the  other.  Charley  learned 
the  true  state  of  affairs,  but  in  some  way  unknown  to  us,  got 
them  out  without  alarming  any  one.  The  distance  to  the  river 
where  they  could  cross,  was  too  great  to  make  in  one  night,  so 
they  were  compelled  to  lay  out  in  the  woods  until  another  night- 
fall. When  night  came  they  traveled  on  until  they  reached  the 
river;  when,  getting  in  the  skiff,  they  crossed  over,  landing  some 
distance  above  Quincy,  and  on  a  little  island  a  short  distance  from 
the  main  land.  As  the  skiff  reached  the  shore,  two  men  stepped 
out,  with  guns  in  their  hands,  and  ordered  them  to  surrender. 
Charley  suddenly  drew  his  revolver,  and  pointing  it  at  the  men 
threatened  to  shoot  if  they  attempted  to  harm  him.  He  then 
began  to  parley  with  them,  while  at  the  same  time  consulting 
with  his  wife  as  to  what  should  be  done.  She  urged  him  to  save 
himself,  stating  it  would  be  death  or  worse  for  him  to  be  captured, 
but  as  to  her,  they  would  do  nothing  save  placing  a  more  strict 
watch  over  her  person.  Seizing  the  opportunity  when  the  atten- 
tion of  the  two  men  was  diverted,  Charley  jumped  into  the 
river  and  swam  to  the  main  land,  and  thus  escaped  without  being 
hurt  by  the  shots  fired  at  him.  This  time  he  returned  without 
wife,  children  or  friends;  but  he  was  not  to  be  daunted  or  discour- 
aged. In  a  few  months  he  again  returned  only  to  find  that  his 
wife  had  been  sold  and  taken  down  the  river.  Learning  that  she 
was  living  near  St.  Louis,  he  determined  there  to  seek  her,  which 
he  did,  and  this  time  met  with  better  success,  as  he  escaped 
with  both  wife  and  children,  and  succeeded  in  reaching  Can- 
ada in  safety.  When  Charley  came  through  the  third  time,  and 
reported  his  adventure  with  the  slave-catchers,  he  was  advised  to 
abandon  the  attempt  to  get  his  wife  and  little  ones,  and  the  sug- 
gestion made  that  he  marry  some  French  Canadian  woman. 
"!N"o,"  said  he,  "that  I  will  never  do;  I  love  my  wife  and  children 
as  much  as  any  man,  if  I  am  black,  and  I  intend  to  have  them  or 
die  in  the  attempt !" 

This  same  Charley,  as  previously  remarked,  was  instrumental 
in  running  off  many  others.  We  copy  the  following  incident  of 
him  from  Young's  History  of  Round  Prairie  and  Plymouth  : 

A  Lively  Load  and  Lively  Time. — Mr.  T.  called  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  W.  on  his  way  home  from  a  three  days'  trip  to  Quincy,  and 
found  that  a  company  of  six  negroes  had  just  arrived,  that  were 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  271 

to  be  sent  on  their  way  to  freedom.  There  was  a  man  and  his 
wife,  with  two  children  and  a  young  man,  all  under  the  leadership 
of  a  negro  called  Charley,  who  had  been  over  the  line  half  a  doz- 
en times  or  more.  He  had  become  well  known  to  the  regular 
agents  of  the  route.  His  various  trips  to  and  from  Missouri  had 
been  made  for  the  purpose  of  getting  his  wife  away ,  failing  in 
which  he  would  gather  up  such  friends  as  he  could  and  pilot  them 
to  freedom. 

Mr.  T.  detailed  himself  for  the  service  of  taking  the  parry  to 
Macomb,  to  start  next  morning,  making  a  day  trip.  The  party  of 
six  were  stowed  as  well  as  possible  at  full  length  on  the  bottom  of 
the  wagon,  and  covered  closely  with  sacks  of  straw.  These  were 
so  light  that  they  showed  a  decided  tendency  to  jolt  out  of  place, 
and  thus  perhaps  to  make  unwelcome  revelations  on  the  road. 
To  remedy  this  a  rope  was  drawn  down  tightly  over  the  sacks  and 
fastened  at  the  ends  of  the  wagon.  This  kept  things  in  place, 
and  all  went  well  until  near  the  end  of  the  journey.  Here  Mr.  T. 
becoming  doubtful  as  to  the  proper  road  to  take,  took  the  wrong  one, 
and  passed  three  young  men  getting  out  logs  in  a  piece  of  woods 
through  which  his  way  led  him.  He  did  not  dare  to  stop  and  in- 
quire the  way  of  them  for  fear  they  might  pry  into  the  nature  of 
his  load  too  closely.  As  he  drove  on  he  thought  there  was  a  strik- 
ing family  likeness  in  the  young  man,  to  the  man  he  was  looking 
for.  He  went  on,  however,  until  he  came  to  a  cabin  a  little  oft* 
the  road  where  he  thought  it  safer  to  inquire.  As  he  went  in  he 
confronted  a  man  that  he  recognized  too  well  as  one  he  cared 
little  to  meet  on  such  a  mission.  But  it  was  a  cold,  snowy  day, 
and  his  face  was  so  concealed  by  his  wrappings  that  he  was  not 
recognized  by  the  occupant  of  the  cabin,  who  gave  him  the  infor- 
mation sought.  Mr.  T.  found  that  he  had  gone  too  far,  and  had 
to  retrace  his  way  to  the  woods  and  then  turn  off.  Here  again  he 
came  upon  the  young  men  who  had  been  delayed  with  their  load 
by  getting  "stalled'  in  a  deep  rut.  Better  satisfied  now  as  to  their 
identity,  he  inquired  the  way  of  them.  Guessing  his'  mission 
readily,  they  made  free  inquiries  about  his  load,  which  were  an- 
swered as  freely.  Finding  Charley  was  in  the  company,  cne  of 
the  young  men  determined  to  frighten  him,  or  at  least  have  a  joke 
at  his  expense.  Calling  his  name  in  stern  tones,  he  told  him  that 
he  knew  he  had  passed  over  the  lines  several  times  in  safety, 
ubut,"  said  he,  "I  have  caught  you  at  last ;  you  are  now  my  p ris- 


272  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

oner."  Charley,  still  in  concealment  with  the  others  under  the 
sacks,  recognized  the  voice  of  an  old  acquaintance,  did  not  turn 
white  with  fear  but  enjoyed  the  pleasantry. 

Soon  all  were  safely  housed  at  Mr. 's.     After  supper  "all 

hands"  gathered  in  the  parlor,  where  for  a  time  there  was  a  free 
intermingling  of  story,  song  and  mirth ;  after  which  an  old  violin 
was  produced  and  "operated"  upon  by  some  one  of  the  company, 
while  the  negroes  "let  themselves  out"  into  a  regular  old-fashioned 
plantation  "hoe  down,"  which  lasted  until  all  were  ready  to  retire 
with  aching  sides  from  excess  of  fun.  This  evening's  entertain- 
ment is  noted  as  a  particularly  bright  spot  in  U.  G.  R.  R.  experi- 
ence— brightened  with  genuine  negro  polish. 

Betrayal  of  the  Negro  Preacher. — In  Virginia  lived  a  rich  farmer) 
having  a  number  of  slaves,  among  others  a  man  and  wife,  with 
their  children.  This  man  was  a  preacher  among  his  colored 
brethren.  The  old  farmer  dying,  on  the  division  of  the  estate 
this  colored  preacher  and  his  wife  fell  to  a  daughter,  who  had 
lately  married  a  young  physician ;  the  children  were  given  to 
other  parties.  This  physician  and  his  wife  had  determined  to 
remove  to  Missouri,  and  to  reconcile  his  slaves  with  the  idea  of 
leaving  their  children,  promised  them  if  they  would  go  peaceably 
and  work  for  him  a  term  of  years,  he  would  give  them  their  free- 
dom. To  be  free  was  a  boon  greatly  desired,  and  they  joyfully 
consented  to  go.  The  physician  settled  at  Hannibal,  Missouri, 
and  time  passed,  his  negroes  faithfully  performing  all  the  duties 
required  of  them.  A  few  months  befone  the  time  had  elapsed! 
when  he  promised  to  give  the  couple  their  freedom,  he  called  the 
man  to  him  one  day  and  asked,  "Cresar,  I  suppose  you  are  look- 
ing forward  to  the  time  when  you  will  soon  be  free,  are  you  not?" 
"Yes,  Massa."  "Well,  before  receiving  your  papers,  would  n't 
you  like  to  make  a  trip  down  the  river  to  see  how  they  work 
things  on  the  plantations  of  the  south?"  "Well,  yes,  Massa,  I 
would;  I  hearn  tell  a  good  deal  about  de  way  da  do  de  work  down 
dare,  and  I  would  like  to  see  it  for  myself."  "If  you  so  desire  it, 
I  will  make  arrangements  to  have  you  taken  down."  "All  rio-ht, 
Massa." 

A  day  or  two  after,  Cesar's  master  announced  to  him  he  had  ar- 
ranged with  the  Captain  of  a  steamer  to  take  him  down  as  a  deck 
hand,  he,  in  that  way,  working  his  passage.  The  boat  was  then 
lying  at  the  wharf,  and  he  could  go  on  board  at  once,  proceeding 
down  the  river  and  back  in  time  to  secure  his  papers  of  freedom. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  273 

at  once  went  aboard  the  boat,  pleased  with  the  idea  of  a 
trip  down  the  Mississippi,  visiting  the  wonders  and  learning  some- 
thing of  plantation  liie  of  the  South.  As  -the  boat  proceeded 
down  the  river,  he  observed  that  he  was  watched  by  a  gentleman, 
and  wondered  what  it  meant.  When  a  little  way  above  St.  Louis, 
the  strange  man  got  an  opportunity  to  speak  to  him,  there  being 
no  one  near  him  at  the  time.  Said  he  : 

"Don't  you  know  you  are  being  taken  down  the  river  never  to 
return  ?" 

With  a  start,  Caesar  responded  : 
"No,  sah  ;  I  don't." 

"Well,  such  is  the  case.     I  saw  your  master  make  out  and  give 
to  a  man  now  on  board,  a  bill  of  sale  of  you." 
"Is  that  so,  Massa  ?     Tell  me  true  !" 

"Yes,  it  is.  Xow,  my  advice  to  you  is  that  if  the  opportunity 
offers,  you  try  and  xnake  your  escape.  Death  is  to  be  preferred 
to  life  on  a  southern  plantation.  You  may  escape  and  make  your 
way  north  wrhere  you  will  find  friends.  We  will  soon  lancl  to  take 
on  wood,  and  you  there  may  get  away." 

The  thought  of  being  betrayed  by  his  master  had  never  entered 
the  mind  of  poor  Caesar  who  supposed  he  was  going  on  a  pleasure 
trip  to  the  South,  and  the  thought  that  he  should  be  retained  there 
was  almost  overpowering.  What  could  he  do?  Kscape?  Well, 
he  would  try.  As  his  friend  remarked,  death  was  preferable  to  a 
life  on  a  southern  plantation. 

When  the  boat  landed,  Caesar  was  sent  with  other  deck  hands 
to  load  it  with  wood.  He  moved  off  as  if  with  the  intention  of 
doing  the  work,  and  when  out  of  sight  of  his  companions,  he 
started  off  on  a  ran.  His  presence  at  first  was  not  missed,  and 
when  the  fact  was  discovered,  the  boat  could  not  be  delayed  that 
his  capture  might  be  effected.  Steering  directly  north,  Csesar 
in  due  time  found  himself  in  the  vicinity  of  Upper  Alton.  While 
passing  along  the  road  he  heard  behind  him  a  couple  of  horse- 
men in  full  gallop,  and  supposing  they  were  after  him,  it  was  his 
first  thought  to  run,  but  fearing  this  would  excite  their  apprehen- 
sion, if  they  were  not  in  search  of  him,  he  quietly  stepped  one 
side,  and  began  plucking  the  plums  from  a  tree  by  the  roadside. 
Luckily  the  horsemen  paid  no  attention  to  him,  even  if  they  ob- 
served him.  He  continued  on  his  way,  and  soon  another  horse- 


274  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

man  came  galloping  up  behind.  As  before  be  could  not  escap^ 
without  observation,  and  the  horseman  soon  overtook  him  and 
quietly  asked : 

"Going  north  ?" 

"Yes,  sah,  am  traveling  that  way." 

"Well,  then  get  on  this  horse  and  travel  until  you  come  to  a 
certain  house  [describing  it]  there  hitch  your  horse,  go  ^in,  and 
you  will  be  cared  for." 

Although  he  did  not  know  whether  he  was  a  friend  or  foe, 
Caesar  concluded  to  trust  him  and  take  his  advice.  Mounting  the 
horse  he  proceeded  on  the  way  until  he  reached  the  designated 
place  where  he  stopped,  and  on  going  in,  without  a  word  being 
spoken,  he  was  shown  a  large  upper  room  and  told  to  remain 
there  until  called  for.  Food  was  provided  him,  and  when  night 
came  he  was  conducted  on  his  way.  lie  was  now  on  the  line  of 
the  famous  Underground  railway,  and  in  due  time  passed  through 
this  county  on  his  way  to  Canada. 

Some  months  after,  he  returned  over  the  line  to  secure,  if  possi- 
ble, his  wife.  Arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  Hannibal  he  learned  that 
she  had  been  sold  and  removed  to  some  unknown  place,  and  all 
efforts  to  learn  of  her  whereabouts  were  unavailing,  and  he  never 
saw  or  heard  from  her.  But,  then,  according  to  high  judicial  au- 
thority, negroes  have  no  rights  which  white  men  are  bound  to  re- 
spect. Oh,  shame ! 

Train  Captured. — During  the  series  of  years  in  which  the 
Underground  Railroad  was  in  operation,  but  one  accident  occurred 
in  this  county.  The  agent  at  Round  Prairie,  with  a  consignment 
of  fnre  negroes,  started  one  night  to  deliver  them  to  the  agent 
here ;  but  in  the  darkness,  lost  his  way,  and  found  himself  in  the 
hollow  near  the  residence  of  David  Chrisman,  a  well  known  pro- 
slavery  character  in  this  county.  Leaving  his  wagon,  he  took  the 
negroes  across  lots  to  the  station,  where,  leaving  them,  he  returned 
to  his  wagon.  As  it  happened,  this  Chrisman  with  some  boon 
companions,  had  been  out  until  a  late  hour  that  night,  and  in 
returning  home,  discovered  the  wagon  in  the  road.  Calling  out 
and  receiving  no  answer,  they  searched  and  found  it  empty.  Sur- 
mising the  object  for  which  it  had  been  used,  they  determined  on 
waiting  the  return  of  the  owner,  and  endeavor  to  extort  from  him 
a  confession.  After  a  lapse  of  an  hour  or  two,  the  agent  and 
owner  of  wagon  returned,  and  was  confronted  by  half  a  dozen 
men,  who  by  threats  endeavored  to  secure  a  confession  of  his  acts, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  275 

demanding  that  he  make  a  "clean  breast"  of  it,  and  tell  them  the 
number  of  negroes,  and  the  time  they  were  expected  to  start  on 
the  next  stage  of  their  journey,  for  said  they,  "We  mean  to  have 
them  any  how."     They  found  the  man  very  ignorant  as  to  facts, 
and  very  uncommunicative.    Hoping  to  frighten  him  into  a  revela- 
tion of  such  facts  as  they  desired  to  know,  they  told  him  he  was 
their  prisoner,  and  that  they  should  take  him  to  Macomb  and' 
put  him  in  jail.     Knowing  they  could  have  no  warrant  for  his 
arrest,  he  took  the  matter  very 'coolly,  and  parleyed  with  them 
until  they  were  satisfied  they  could  get  no  information  from  him, 
when  they  left.     Thinking  it  would  not  do  for  him  to  return  and 
warn  the  agent  of  his  danger,  he  returned  home  and  started  a 
neighbor  back  to  give  the  necessary  warning.     All  the  next  day 
the  agent's  house  was  closely  watched  and   guarded   by    these 
negro    catchers,  and  about   dusk,  the  agent  thinking  to  throw 
them  off  their  guard,  arranged  a  covered   wagon  in  which  he 
threw  some  chaff  and  started  his  brother  off'  with  it  as  if  in  a 
hurry  to  get  away.     He  then  took  negroes  across  lots,  hoping 
that  he  would  be  unobserved.     The  ruse  was  suspected  by  the 
other  party,  who  failed  to  follow  the  wagon,  and  as  the  agent  and 
his  freight  were  emerging  from  a  field,  they  were  confronted  and 
ordered  to  surrender.     The  negroes  all  broke  and  run,  all  escap- 
ing but  one,  who  was  captured  and  taken  to  Macomb  and  placed 
in  jail  to  await  the  call  of  his  master,  who  would  claim  him  as 
his  slave.      When  the  master  of  the  slave   called  to  prove   his 
property,  Chrisman  claimed  a  reward  and  was  told  by  the  man 
that  he  might  go  to  the  region  of  the  unredeemed,  that  when  he 
hired  him  to  catch  his  negroes,  he  would  pay  him,  and  not  before. 
The  agent  of  the  II.  G.  R.  was  in  considerable  dread  of  being 
arrested  for  a  violation  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  but  luckily  it 
was  never  done.     If  taken,  he  knew  his  fine  would  be  paid  by 
friends,  but  the  three  years  in  the  penitentiary  he  would  have  to 
serve  alone. 

A  White  Negro. — Xot  every  fugitive  that  escaped  was  black ; 
one  that  carne  through  a  few  years  before  the  war  was  as 
white  as  any  pure  Caucasian  that  ever  lived.  He  had  light  hair, 
light,  sandy  whiskers,  and  eyes  and  nose  that  showed  no  signs  of 
the  negro  blood.  Our  informant  says  he  could  not  believe  there 
was  a  drop  of  such  blood  in  him,  but  that  he  was  a  white  man 
who  had  in  childhood  been  captured  and  enslaved.  When  he  ar- 
rived at  the  McDonough  county  station  he  was  armed  with  a  re- 


276 

volver  and  bowie  knife,  and  expressed  a  determination  never  to  be 
taken  back  alive.  His  back  was  lacerated  in  a  terrible  manner, 
there  being  great  scars  upon  it  that  could  never  be  effaced,  made 
by  the  scourgings  he  had  received.  When  being  taken  to  the 
Fulton  county  station,  on  his  way  north,  he  was  advised  to  lay 
down  in  the  wagon,  but  this  he  would  not  do,  stating  that  he  was 
as  white  as  any  man.  and  would  exercise  a  white  man's  privilege. 
He  succeeded  in  reaching  the  "promised  land." 

"Gwine  to  Jine  the  'Yankee  Church" — Tom  wras  a  likely  negro 
boy  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  inclined  to  be  a  little  wild  and 
to  give  more  or  less  trouble.  Still  he  probably  meant  well.  He 
had  been  severely  whipped  on  several  occasions  for  various  misde- 
meanors, and  large  welts  were  made  upon  his  back,  and  scars  that 
remained  there  for  years.  For  some  ofiense  he  was  again  promised 
a  whipping.  His  master  tied  his  hands  behind  him,  and  leaving 
him  in  the  kitchen  went  out  to  procure  a  suitable  withe  with 
which  to  administer  the  flogging.  With  no  idea  of  making  a 
final  escape,  but  with  the  thought  of  escaping  a  severe  castigation, 
Tom  ran  out  and  away,  and  while  running  worked  his  arms  so  as 
to  loosen  the  rope  and  allow  one  hand  to  get  free.  It  was  thus  an 
easy  matter  to  free  the  other  which  he  soon  did,  but  retained  pos- 
session of  the  rope.  His  master,  returning  to  the  kitchen,  and 
finding  him  gone,  called  his  blood-hounds  and  set  them  on  his 
track.  As  it  happened,  Tom  had  the  care  of  these  hounds  from 
their  birth,  and  with  cunning  shrewdness  had  trained  them  so  as 
to  make  them  afraid  of  him.  From  time  to  time,  as  the  opportu- 
nity offered,  he  would  take  them  out  where  their  yelping  would 
not  be  heard,  and  severely  whip  them,  thus  teaching  them  he  was 
their  master.  This  he  did  as  he  afterward  averred  from  the  fact 
that  he  did  not  know  but  some  day  they  might  be  used  against 
him.  And  it  was  well  for  him  that  such  was  the  case.  As  the 
dogs  came  bounding  on,  Tom  called  them,  and  with  the  rope 
with  which  he  had  been  tied,  gave  them  a  severe  whipping  and 
sent  them  back.  The  efforts  of  his  master  were  unavailing  after 
this  to  make  the  dogs  continue  on  his  track;  the  consequence  was 
that  Tom  escaped,  and  getting  on  the  main  line  of  the  celebrated 
U.  G.  R.  R.,  he  was  soon  in  the  "land  of  the  free."  While  stop- 
ping at  Mr.  John  Blazer's,  Tom  related  his  experience  and  gave  a 
short  dissertation  on  religion.  He  said  his  master  was  a  Presby- 
terian, and  he  despised  the  Presbyterians,  and  would  never  join 
that  church.  "No,"  said  he,  "when  I  get  up  norf  I'se  gwine  to 


277 

jine  cle  Yankee  church;  Presbyterians  are  perfec'  debbils,  an'  I'll 
nebber  jiue  de  Presbyterians."  Mr.  Blazer  was  a  Presbyterian  at 
that  time,  and  it  amused  him  not  a  little  to  know  he  "was  a  per- 
fec' debbil." 

Presence  of  Mind. — As  illustrating  the  presence  of  mind  of  even 
the  little  children  of  the  conductors  on  this  road,  we  give  the  fol- 
lowing : 

A  little  sou  of  Mr.  Dobbins,  about  eight  or  nine  years  old,  near 
Ipava,  Fulton  county,  while  a  number  of  negroes  were  hid  in  his 
father's  barn,  was  sent  regularly  to  carry  them  their  food.  On 
one  occasion  his  mother  had  prepared  the  negroes'  dinner,  and 
placing  it  upon  a  tray,  started  her  little  boy  with  it  to  the  barn. 
As  he  opened  the  door  on  the  porch  he  observed  three  or  four 
neighboring  women.  To  either  go  forward  or  return  would  ex- 
cite their  suspicions,  and  quick  as  thought  he  began  whistling  for 
the  dogs.  His  mother  hearing  him,  and  divining  his  reason, 
called  out  to  him,  "  Don't  throw  that  out  to  the  dogs,  bring  it 
back  here  ;  that's  good."  The  boy  quickly  returned,  and  the  un- 
welcome visitors  never  suspected  anything  wrong. 

A  negro  bad  escaped  across  the  river  at  Quiucy,  and  while 
quietly  pursuing  his  way  along  the  road  to  the  old  mill,  was  pur- 
sued by  a  couple  of  men  on  horseback.  A  little  boy  observing 
the  situation,  as  the  negro  was  at  the  forks  of  a  road,  called  out 
to  him,  "  Here,  crawl  under  this  pile  of  rails."  The  negro  at  once 
obeyed.  When  the  men  rode  up  they  asked,  "  Boy  did  you  see  a 
black  man  pass  along  this  road  a  little  while  ago  ?"  <;  Yes,"  said 
the  boy,  "  and  he  went  right  down  that  road  as  hard  as  he  could 
go,  and  if  you  hurry  you  can  catch  him."  Putting  spurs  to  their 
horses,  the  men  hurried  on,  and  the  boy,  calling  on  the  negro  to 
come  out  quickly,  hurried  him  on  to  the  old  mill,  where  he  was 
safe  from  arrest,  and  soon  on  his  journey  to  the  "Land  of  Canaan." 
Whether  the  boy  was  justified  in  telling  a  lie  to  save  the  negro, 
we  will  leave  to  moralists  to  decide. 

We  again  quote  from  the  "  History  of  Round  Prairie  and  Plym- 
outh "  the  following  incident,  located  in  this  county : 

Going  to  Market. — At  one  time  Mr.  W.  had  a  negro  man  in  his 

charge  that  he  determined  to  take  to  Macomb  in  an  open  wagon, 

his  only  conveyance,  and  make  most  of  the  trip  by  daylight.     He 

filled  a  lot  of  sacks  with  light  chaff  from  the  barn  floor,  put  some 

H— 18 


278  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

hay  in  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  upon  which  he  had  the  negro 
lie  down  at  full  length,  and  then  piling  the  bogus  sacks  of  grain 
upon  him,  he  started  about  noon  for  Macomb,  leaving  any 
curious  observers  to  infer — if  they  chose  to  make  inferences — that 
they  were  bound  for  market  with  a  load  of  grain  on  a  trading  ex- 
pedition. All  went  well  until  they  got  a  little  beyond  Crooked 
creek,  which  they  crossed  at  Lamoine  bridge.  Here  they  met 
three  men  on  horseback.  Just  as  they  were  nearing  each  other, 
Mr.  "W.  looked  around  to  see  if  his  load  appeared  all  right.  To 
his  dismay,  he  found  that  the  negro,  weary  of  his  constrained  posi- 
tion, had  drawn  up  one  foot  so  that  his  knee  protruded  between 
the  sacks.  At  a  quick  nudge  the  knee  disappeared,  leaving  a  fair 
surface  again,  but  the  movement  had  evidently  attracted  the  at- 
tention of  the  horsemen.  The  load  was  scanned  as  they  passed; 
they  stopped  their  horses,  turned  around,  watched  sharply  awhile, 
but  failing  to  see  any  more  suspicious  movements  among  the 
sacks,  and  not  comprehending  what  they  had  seen,  they  resumed 
their  course  and  rode  on. 

The  negro  got  a  sharp  repoof  for  the  danger  incurred  by  his  ex- 
posure, as  Mr.  "W.  drove  on  in  a  state  of  mind  considerably  excited 
by  the  narrow  escape.  As  expected,  night  overtook  them  before 
reaching  their  destination.  In  the  darkness  they  came  upon  a 
piece  of  road  that  had  been  lately  changed.  Mr.  W.  was  at  a  loss 
which  way  to  go,  took  the  wrong  road,  and  got  hopelessly  lost. 
There  was  no  remedy  but  to  inquire  the  way  the  first  opportunity, 
and  this  was  about  the  last  thing  he  wanted  to  do,  as  the  man  he 
was  looking  for  was  well  known  as  a  prominent  Underground 
Railroad  man,  and  inquiries  for  him  might  lead  to  suspicions  and 
revelations  that  would  be  very  undesirable.  Something  mast  be 
done,  however,  so  he  went  to  the  first  house  he  saw,  and  roused 

the  man  from  bed  and  asked  the  way  to  Mr.  .  The  man 

seemed  interested,  came  out  in  the  yard  to  point  out  the  way,  and 
went  toward  the  wagon  just  as  he  had  got  out  of  bed.  Hoping 
to  check  his  curiosity,  Mr.  W.  told  him  that  his  wife  was  in  the 
wagon  ;  but  the  man  went  on  to  the  gate,  gave  the  necessary  direc- 
tions, and  then  retired. 

The  consignment  was  safely  delivered  at  its  destination,  not- 
withstanding the  real  and  supposed  narrow  escapes  of  the  trip. 
Tt  turned  out  that  the  curiosity  and  interest  of  the  man  that  Mr. 
W.  called  up  for  information  as  to  the  way  was  not  of  a  dangerous 
kind,  as  he  was  a  son  of  the  man  for  whom  Mr.  W.  sought,  and 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  279 

suspecting  the  nature  of  his  mission,  very  kindly  interested  him- 
self in  pointing  out  the  way  to  his  father's  house. 

We  close  this  chapter  with  the  following  incident,  as  a  final 
closing  act  of  the  drama  of  the  "  Underground  Railroad  :" 

On  the  morning  of  the  thirty-first  of  December,  1862,  two  negro 
men  were  taken  from  the  Eastern  bound  train  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q. 
R.  R..  at  the  depot  in  Macomb,  by  a  citizen  of  this  county,  who 
claimed  they  were  runaway  slaves,  and  who  felt  it  his  duty  or 
privilege  to  take  them  back  and  deliver  them  over  to  the  gentle 
and  fatherly  care  of  their  "  master."  Whether  this  man  had  ever 
heard  of  the  emancipation  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln  or 
not  we  cannot  say,  but  presume  not,  or  if  he  had  he  regarded  it 
as  "  unconstitutional,"  and  therefore  invalid.  By  returning  them 
to  their  owner  or  owners  he  thought  he  would  receive  enough 
money  to  keep  him  in  whisky  and  tobacco  for  some  time.  At  this 
time  the  Eastern  and  Western  bound  trains  connected  at  this 
point,  and  it  was  the  design  of  this  zealous  fugitive  slave  law  man 
to  hurry  the  negroes  on  board  the  Western  bound  train  and  take 
them.  back.  Luckily  this  train  was  a  few  minutes  late.  John  Q. 
Lane  was  at  that  time  the  City  Marshal,  and  happened  to  be  at 
the  depot,  aixl  the  negroes  made  known  to  him  their  condition, 
stating  they  were  traveling  on  a  pass  from  their  master,  and  that 
it  had  been  taken  from  them  by  this  advocate  of  the  law.  Mr 
Lane  told  them  to  get  in  the  omnibus,  and  he  would  take  care  of 
them.  By  oaths  and  threats  this  was  sought  to  be  prevented,  but 
the  Marshal  "  didn't  scare  worth  a  cent."  He  took  the  negroes  to 
the  Randolph  Hotel,  where  they  were  kept  under  guard  that  day 
and  night.  The  party  capturing  them,  inflamed  by  liquor,  went 
to  the  hotel  and  demanded  them  of  the  landlord,  the  Hon.  Wil- 
liam H.  Randolph,  who  then  occupied  that  position.  Mr.  R.,  not 
liking  the  style  of  the  gentleman,  ordered  him  from  the  house, 
and  accelerated  his  speed  by  a  not  very  gentle  kick.  The  man 
left,  swearing  vengeance.  The  negroes  were  held  by  friends  until 
12  o'clock  at  night,  when  they  were  informed  that,  agreeable  to 
the  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  they  were 
free  men,  and  could  come  and  go  as  they  pleased,  being  beholden 
to  no  man. 


280  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

COAL  —  STONE  —  CLAY. 

A  careful  study  of  chapter  fourteen  will  give  the  reader  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  geological  formation  of  McDonough  county,  includ- 
ing coal,  stone,  and  clay ;  still  we  think  a  more  detailed  statement 
than  there  given  of  the  items  mentioned  will  be  appreciated  hy  all 
in  whose  hands  this  work  may  fall. 

Coat. — The  area  of  the  coal  fields  of  McDonough  is  nearly,  if 
not  quite,  co-extensive  with  its  entire  surface,  having  "been  found 
in  every  township,  except  "Walnut  Grove.  There  are  thirty-nine 
shafts  and  banks  in  active  operation,  affording  employment  to 
hundreds  of  men,  some  of  whom  work  in  the  banks,  while  others 
are  constantly  engaged  in  hauling  to  our  home  markets  and  the 
towns  surrounding.  An  average  of  twelve  cars  per  day  have  been 
shipped  from  the  town  of  Colchester,  over  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton and  Quincy  Railroad,  during  the  last  five  years.  This  is  ex- 
clusive of  that  shipped  for  the  sole  use  of  the  railroad  company, 
which  amounts  to  several  cars  more.  An  average  of  two  cars  is 
consumed  in  Macomb,  while  surrounding  towns  use  as  much  more, 
making  a  total  of  twenty-four  cars  per  day.  There  is  no  limit' 
to  the  supply,  as  the  bede  are  inexhaustible. 

The  coal  of  this  county  is  regarded  as  the  best  in  the  State, 
and  is  used  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  gas  in  several  of 
our  large  western  cities. 

Stone. — The  quarries  of  McDonough  county  are  becoming  just- 
ly noted  for  their  superior  quality  of  freestone  and  sandstone.  As 
remarked  of  coal,  the  supply  is  almost  inexhaustible,  and  capable 
of  meeting  the  demand  for  hundreds  of  years.  West  of  Macomb 
a  short  distance  are  two  or  three  quarries  that  have  been  worked 
for  many  years,  and  the  rock  from  them  used  for  building  pur- 
poses have  stood  the  test  of  time  in  a  remarkable  degree.  Until  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  281 

past  year  the  stoue  has  been  used  principally  for  foundation  pur- 
poses, wells,  and  sidewalks.  A  few  months  ago  Mr.  Rowley,  of 
Xew  York,  who,  for  many  years  has  heen  the  proprietor  of  the 
quarry  known  as  Stuart's,  having  tested  the  stone  in  every  conceiva- 
ble way,  erected  a  factory  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing 
grindstones.  He  has  now  in  employ  a  large  number  of  hands, 
and  is  turning  out  an  article  that  is  giving  universal  satisfaction. 
Shipments  are  being  made  daily  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States,  and  we  have  no  doubt  in  time  this  will  be  one  of  the  insti- 
tions  of  the  county.  John  McLean,  Esq.,  of  Macomb,  at  our  re- 
quest, furnished  us  with  the  following  statement  of  the  quarry 
formerly  worked  by  Hector  McLean,  Sr.,  and  his  three  sous,  Alex. 
John,  and  Duncan  : 

"We  commenced  work  iii  the  Randolph  quarry  in  the  fall  of 
1849,  and  in  1852  left,  purchasing  the  interest  of  Swigart  & 
Broaddus  in  the  quarry  known  as  Bartleson's,  and  considered  the 
best  freestone  or  sandstone  in  the  State.  The  quarry  was  easy  to 
work,  having  seams  in  every  ledge,  running  the  entire  length. 
We  frequently  pried  up  stones  30x15  feet,  flat  and  smooth,  fitted 
for  any  kind  of  pavement,  the  ledges  being  from  1J  inches, 
increasing  in  thickness  to  three  feet,  being  the  lowest  ledge  we 
worked. 

"We  had  the  quarry  rented  for  four  years  at  ten  cents  per 
perch.  In  1857  we  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  on  which  the  quarry  was  situated,  of  a  Mr.  Airy,  of  Phila- 
delphia, a  brother  of  the  late  Mrs.  Bartleson,  of  Macomb,  for 
which  we  paid  81,600 ;  sold  the  same  to  C.  K  Harding,  Esq.,  in  1867, 
for  £4,000.  We  worked  in  the  quarry  twelve  years,  in  which 
time  we  averaged  one  thousand  perches  per  year  of  all  kinds  of 
rock. 

'•In  looking  over  the  accounts  of  some  years,  I  find  that  we 
made  as  high  as  §3,500  per  year,  paying  for  extra  labor,  tools  and 
powder  for  blasting  purposes,  $1,300.  In  these  times  this  was 
considered  'big  money.7  We  usually  did  all  the  business  our- 
selves, having  four  yoke  of  oxen,  and  a  large  wagon  capable  of 
carrying  five  tons  or  four  perches.  The  wagon  was  made  by  our 
former  townsman,  Sidney  S.  Chapman,  and  a  splendid  wagon  it 
was,  painted  on  the  axle  1852,  the  year  in  which  it  was  made. 
We  quarried,  hauled  and  built,  receiving  therefor  $2.50  to  §3.25 
per  perch,  according  to  wall." 


282  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Besides  the  quarries  mentioned,  there  is  an  excellent  quality  of 
stone  near  Industry,  on  Grindstone  creek,  of  the  same  general 
character  as  the  foregoing. 

Clay. — For  the  manufacture  of  drain  tile,  fire  brick,  &c.,  we 
have  an  excellent  clay,  and  already  we  have  one  or  two  very  ex- 
tensive manufactories  for  these  articles.  Horrocks,  Stevens  &  Co., 
Bardolph,  are  doing  an  excellent  business  in  this  line,  their  trade 
extending  east  and  west  for  hundreds  of  miles.  It  is  said  that 
the  fire  brick  manufactured  is  superior  to  the  Xew  Jersey  article, 
which  is  so  widely  known.  We  have  no  doubt  in  addition  to 
these  articles  mentioned,  clay  for  the  manufacture  of  Iron-stone 
China  can  be  had  of  a  superior  quality.  Capitalists  would  do 
well  to  investigate  the  subject. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  283 


CHAPTER  XXV, 

M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

On  the  sixteenth  day  of  April,  1855,  a  few  citizens  of  this  county, 
interested  in  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Arts,  met  in  Ma- 
comb  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  organization,  having  for  its 
object  improvement  in  the  same.  W.  J.  Merritt  was  called  to  the 
Chair,  and  S.  K.  Pedrick  appointed  Secretary.  Remarks  were 
made  by  various  persons,  and  the  feasibility  and  importance  of  the 
proposed  organization  discussed.  A  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
were  then  adopted,  and  the  following  officers  elected  for  one  year  : 
President,  Thompson  Chandler;  Vice  Presidents,  Joseph  Lowiies, 
William  Brooking  and  S.  K.  Pedrick;  Corresponding  Secretary, 
L.  H.  Waters  ;  Secretary,  Joseph  E.  Wyne  ;  Treasurer,  Joseph  P. 
Updegrafl.  An  Executive  Committee  was  also  appointed,  and 
books  opened  for  membership. 

The  committee  and  officers  entered  at  once  upon  the  discharge 
of  their  duties  ;  a  fair  was  announced  to  be  held  on  the  second 
Thursday  in  October,  continuing  two  days,  and  a  list  of  awards 
were  made  out  and  a  speaker  engaged  to  deliver  an  address — 
Thomas  Camp,  a  practical  farmer  of  the  county. 

The  old  college  grounds,  now  owned  by  Prof.  Branch,  was  se- 
cured for  the  purpose  of  holding  the  fair.  Says  the  Macomb  En- 
terprise of  October  25th. 

"  Our  county  fair  exceeded  our  most  sanguine  expectations. 
The  weather  was  delightful,  and  the  attendance  on  both  days  was 
very  large.  What  surprised  us  most  was  the  number  of  articles 
on  exhibition." 

Then  followed  a  description  of  some  of  the  most  important, 
among  which  was  Cy.  Lawson's  800  pound  pig,  Broaddus'  plows, 
Barker's  hay  rake,  Price's  washing  machine,  Harris'  churn,  some 
"  'orful'  pumpkins,  potatoes,  wheat,  and  the  handiwork  of  some 
of  McDonough's  fair  daughters."' 


284 

The  officers,  we  believe,  were  all  continued,  and  a  fair  an- 
nounced for  Thursday  and  Friday,  October  9th  and  10th,  1856. 
This  exhibition  was  an  improvement  upon  the  other,  and  we  may 
here  remark  that  all  exhibitions  since  have  contined  to  improve. 
The  exhibition  was  held  at  the  same  place  as  the  year  before,  but 
the  ground  was  found  entirely  too  small  for  the  purpose.  Thomas 
E.  Brannan  delivered  a  most  excellent  address,  and  all  were  well 
pleased  with  the  success  of  the  Society. 

The  next  year  the  fair  was  held  in  the  pasture  of  Thompson 
Chandler,  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town.  Like  those  pre- 
viously held,  the  fair  was  a  success  in  almost  every  respect,  and  it 
was  determined  that  renewed  efforts  should  be  made  to  make  the 
society  efficient  and  permanent.  The  grounds  were  leased  from 
Thompson  Chandler,  fenced  and  cleared  for  the  purpose  of  hold- 
ing the  annual  exhibitions,  in  which  the  people  all  manifested 
considerable  interest.  The  fourth  annual  fair  was  held  on  these 
grounds,  which  are  now  known  as  the  old  fair  grounds,  and  was 
well  attended. 

We  cannot  well  help  drawing  a  contrast  between  the  fairs  then 
and  now.  At  that  time,  although  they  were  spoken  of  as  being 
successful,  yet  the  entries  wrere  few  indeed,  in  comparison  to  what 
are  now  made  each  year.  For  years  that  old  white  bull  of 
Thompson  Chandler's  was  the  principal  attraction.  Blooded 
stock  was  then  scarce  indeed.  2s"o  such  fine  herds  of  cattle  as 
are  now  owned  and  exhibited  each  year  by  Joseph  Lownes,  the 
Hustons  and  others  ;  no  such  droves  of  hogs  as  Work,  Dixon 
and  others  show ;  no  imported  horses  like  those  of  Westfall, 
Gloyd,  Brooking,  Rexroat  and  others  own.  Floral  hall,  at  an 
early  day,  would  blush  if  placed  side  by  side  with  the  magnificent 
structure  now  owned  by  the  Society,  and  filled  each  year  to  over- 
flowing. 

For  the  first  four  or  five  years  two  days  was  all-sufficient  to 
exhibit  the  few  articles  placed  on  exhibition.  After  this  the 
society  required  three,  then  four,  then  five  days,  and  now  the  en- 
tire week  is  required  to  satisfy  the  thousands  who  annually  attend 
the  McDonough  county  fair,  the  reputation  of  which  is  extending 
year  by  year,  and  even  now  it  is  no  mean  competitor  to  the  State 
fair.  Articles  are  now  brought  to  its  exhibitions  from  all  parts  of 
the  State,  while  other  States,  and  even  the  Dominion  of  Canada, 
have  contributed  to  its  exhibitions. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  285 

The  Society  has  been  uniformly  fortunate  in  its  choice  of  offi- 
cers. Thompson  Chandler,  the  father  of  it,  exerted  himself  nobl}r 
to  make  its  exhibitions  successful,  and  great  credit  is  due  to  him 
for  carrying  it  through  the  lirst  years  of  its  existence.  Messrs. 
Joseph  Lowues,  J.  P.  Updegraff,  William  Pointer,  Amos  Dixon, 
and  E.  C.  Knapp  have  each  labored  to  promote  the  best  interests 
of  the  Society.  Joseph  Burton,  as  Secretary,  was  an  indefatigable 
worker,  spending  a  great  amount  of  time  and  money  to  bring  the 
Society  up  to  its  present  high  standard. 

During  the  last  two  years,  Dr.  W.  O.  Blaisdell  has  been  Presi- 
dent, and  AY.  H.  Hainline.  Secretary.  These  two  gentlemen  have 
co-operated  together  well  in  behalf  of  the  Society,  and  are  fully 
determined  not  to  retrograde,  or  even  stand  still,  their  motto  being 
•'onward  and  upward."  There  are  no  obstacles  which  they  do  not 
feel  able  to  overcome,  and  which  they  will  not  overcome,  if  zeal, 
combined  with  pluck,  will  accomplish  anything.  The  last  two 
years  there  has  been  continued  rain  during  the  weeks  of  the 
fair;  but  notwithstanding,  the  people  turned  out  very  well,  and 
the  Society  was  enabled,  from  their  receipts,  to  pay  oft  entire  their 
large  premium  lists,  dollar  for  dollar,  as  well  as  all  their  outstand- 
ing contracts.  We  do  not  believe  there  is  another  County  Fair 
in  the  State  that  can  say  as  much. 

In  1867  the  Society  purchased  their  present  grounds  just  south 
of  the  city,  on  which  they  have  made  improvements,  including 
price  of  land,  of  over  §10,000.  They  now  own  the  finest  and 
most  convenient  grounds  in  the  State,  and  year  by  year,  as  their 
means  will  warrant,  will  continue  to  improve  them. 

The  past  year  (1876)  was  the  first  in  which  it  can  be  said  there 
was  anything  having  the  appearance  of  a  failure,  and  this- not  in 
respect  to  the  number  of  articles  on  exhibition.  Every  depart- 
ment was  well  represented,  but  the  elements  combined  against  it, 
the  rain  pouring  down  almost  constantly,  so  that  the  attendance 
was  not  one-fourth  that  of  ordinary  years.  For  twenty-one 
years  the  Society  had  paid  its  premiums  dollar  for  dollar,  with  no 
debts  ever  protested.  This  year,  however,  the  Society  could  only 
pay  fifty  cents  on  the  dollar,  and  only  that  by  the  stockholders 
being  assessed  a  very  heavy  per  cent. 

The  present  Officers  and  Board  of  Directors  are  as  follows  : 
President,  AY.  0.  Blaisdell ;  Vice-President,  Aaron  P.  McKee ; 
Secretary,  AY.  H.  Hainline ;  Treasurer,  C.  Y.  Chandler  ;  Directors, 
T.  Chandler,  J.  C.  Moore,  A.  Y.  Brooking  and  J.  AY.  Mclntosh. 


286  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

These  men  are  all  tried  and  true,  and  will  work  with  a  will  to 
make  the  exhibitions  of  the  Society  first  class. 

In  ]  870,  the  McDonough  County  Stock  Association  was  regu- 
larly incorporated,  and  held  its  first  exhibition  in  July  of  that 
year.  Exhibitions  were  also  held  in  1871  and  1872.  In  1873  the 
Association  failed  to  have  an  exhibition,  and  the  following  year  it 
united  its  fortunes  with  the  Agricultural  Society,  and  the  two 
combined  are  now  known  as  the  McDonough  County  Agricul- 
tural and  Stock  Association. 

Every  citizen  of  the  county  should  take  an  interest  in  the  ex- 
hibitions of  this  Society,  and  should  use  his  utmost  endeavors  to 
make  the  annual  meetings  a  success.  Xothing  tends  more  to  in- 
cite men  to  action  than  the  comparison  of  stock  or  the  products 
of  each,  and  we  attribute  in  a  great  measure  the  advanced  step 
taken  by  our  people  in  the  production  of  fine  stock  and  the  growth 
of  the  various  products  to  the  exhibitions  previously  held. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  287 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

BLACK    LAWS. 

The  early  settlers  of  this  county,  although  mainly  from  the 
Southern  or  slave  States,  entertained  a  deep-seated  prejudice 
against  the  negro,  for  which  it  is  hard  for  us  to  account  at  the 
present  clay.  This  prejudice,  we  may  remark,  was  not  held  alto- 
gether and  only  in  this  county,  for  by  referring  to  the  Revised 
Statutes  of  this  State,  approved  March  3,  1845,  we  tind  the 
following  in  chapter  54,  under  the  head  of  "Xegroes  and  Mu- 
lattoes" : 

SECTION  8.  Any  person  who  shall  hereinafter  bring  into  this  State  any  black  or 
mulatto  person,  in  order  to  free  him  or  her  from  slavery,  or  shall  directly  or  indirectly 
bring  into  this  State,  or  aid  or  assist  any  person  in  bringing,  any  such  black  and 
mulatto  person  to  settle  and  reside  therein,  shall  be  fined  one  hundred  dollars  on  convic- 
tion on  indictment,  or  before  any  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  county  where  such  offense 
shall  be  committed. 

SEC.  9.  If  any  slave  or  servant  shall  be  found  at  a  distance  of  ten  miles  from  the 
tenement  of  his  or  her  master,  or  person  with  whom  he  or  she  lives,  without  a  pass  or 
some  letter  or  token  whereby  it  may  appear  that  he  or  she  is  proceeding  by  authority 
from  his  or  her  master,  employer  or  overseer,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  any  person 
to  apprehend  and  carry  him  or  her  before  a  justice  of  the  peace,  to  be  by  his  order  pun- 
ished with  stripes,  not  exceeding  thirty-five,  at  his  discretion. 

SEC.  10.  If  any  slave  or  servant  shall  presume  to  come  and  be  upon  the  plantation  or 
at  the  dwelling  of  any  person  whatsoever,  without  leave  from  his  or  her  owner,  not 
being  sent  upon  lawful  business,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  owner  of  such  plantation,  or 
dwelling  house  to  give  or  order  such  slave  or  servant  ten  lashes  on  his  or  her  bare  back. 

SEC.  12.  If  any  person  or  persons  shall  permit  or  suffer  any  slave  or  slaves,  servant 
or  servants  of  color,  to  the  number  of  thre^  or  more,  to  assemble  in  his,  her  or  their 
outhouse,  yard  or  shed,  for  the  purpose  of  dancing  or  revelling,  either  by  night  or  by 
day.  the  person  or  persons  so  offending  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars 
with  cost  to  any  person  or  persons  who  will  sue  for  and  recover  the  same  by  action  of 
debt  or  indictment,  in  any  court  of  record  proper  to  try  the  same. 

SEC.  13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  coroners,  sheriffs,  judges  and  justices  of  the 
peace,  who  shall  see  or  know  of,  or  be  informed  of  any  such  assemblage  of  slaves  or 
servants  immediately  to  commit  such  slave  or  servants  to  the  jail  of  the  county,  and  on 
view  or  proof  thereof  order  each  and  every  such  slave  or  servant  to  be  whipped,  not 
exceeding  thirty-nine  stripes  on  his  or  her  bare  back. 


288  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Macomb,  as  early  as  1834,  it  was  resolve 
by  the  people  assembled  that  they  would  enforce  section  8  of  th 
statute  given  above.  About  this  time  a  Mr.  Riggs  and  a  Mi 
Thompson  brought  each  a  mulatto  woman  with  them  to  thi 
county;  Mr.  Thompson  settled  in  Macomb,  while  Mr.  Riggs  se1 
tied  on  a  farm  a  short  distance  from  town.  But  little  time  wa 
lost  in  notifying  the  parties  that  the  law  would  be  enforcec 
Some  resistance  was  at  first  offered,  but  the  negroes  were  removec 
By  reference  to  the  census  reports  we  find  the  higbest  numbe 
reported  in  this  county  previous  to  1860,  at  any  one  time,  wa 
seven.  Therefore,  we  judge  the  law  was  strictly  enforced. 

Some  years  ago  the  Hon.  W.  II.  Neece,  of  Macomb,  was  in  th 
city  of  Monmouth,  when  he  stepped  into  a  barber  shop  for 
sbave.  The  barber  was  a  colored  man.  While  shaving  him,  h 
asked  Mr.  Neece  where  he  was  from,  and  the  response  was  giver 
"Macomb."  "Well,"  said  he,  "I  went  to  Macomb  once,  aboi] 
eighteen  or  twenty  years  ago,  to  start  a  barber  shop.  I  onl 
stayed  about  twenty-four  hours,  for  a  man  called  Jim  Campbel 
came  to  me  and  told  me  I  had  better  get  out  ob  dar,  as  that  was 
white  man's  town.  I  left." 

Notwithstanding  his  antipathy  to  the  negro,  Mr.  0.,  has  a  warr 
spot  about  him,  as  witness  the  following  which  will  be  vouche 
for  by  the  parties  named :  In  1856,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Dem 
ocratic  National  Convention  w^hich  was  to  meet  in  Cincinnat 
and  which  afterwards  nominated  James  Buchanan,  for  Presides 
In  going  to  that  city,  Mr.  C.  took  the  train  at  Macomb  for  Quiii 
cy,  where  he  was  to  meet  other  delegates  in  whose  company  h 
was  to  continue  his  journey.  On  board  the  same  train,  going  t 
Quincy,  was  Joseph  E.  Wyne,  Jack  Price,  Frank  Whitson,  an 
other  Macomb  boys,  with  wrhom  Mr,  Campbell  engaged  in  con 
versation,  discussing,  of  course,  the  political  questions  of  the  da;) 
As  known,  the  Republican  party  was  just  coming  into  promi 
nence,  and  Mr.  C.  denounced  the  members  of  it  as  abolitionists 
negro  stealers,  etc.  Becoming  tired  of  this,  he  began  to  relat 
experiences  in  his  early  life.  He  said  he  was  born  in  Kentucky 
where  his  father  at  one  period  of  his  life,  owned  a  number  o 
slaves.  Becoming  involved,  he  was  compelled  to  sell  them  fo 
transportation  down  the  river.  Among  the  number  was  a  negr< 
lad  named  Bob,  about  his  own  age,  with  whom  he  had  eaten  an< 
played  many  a  day.  He  stated  he  never  felt  as  bad  in  his  life  a 
he  did  when  he  saw  Bob  sold  and  carried  away.  Mr.  Wyne  thei 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  '  289 

asked  him  the  question  :  "Mr.  Campbell,  suppose  Bob  would 
come  to  your  house  some  night,  and  tell  you  his  master  had 
mistreated  him,  and  that  he  was  compelled  to  run  away,  that 
he  was  without  money,  had  nothing  to  eat  during  the  day,  and 
was  nearly  naked,  what  would  you  do?"  Rising  to  his  feet,  he 

excitedly  replied  ;  "By if  such  a  thing  as  that  should  happen, 

I  would  take  him  in,  give  him  something  to  eat,  I  would  clothe 
him,  and  give  him  money,  and  tell  him  to  break  for  Canada!" 

As  late  as  the  year  1864,  an  indictment  was  found  against  Geo. 
W.  Reed,  the  present  corcner  of  the  county,  under  the  "black 
law"  for  bringing  a  negro  into  the  state.  When  the  case  was 
called  in  the  Circuit  Court,  the  Judge  and  Prosecuting  Attorney 
threw  it  out — the  law  being  virtually  a  dead  letter. 


290  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

RESOURCES    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

We  propose  in  this  chapter  to  give  a  short  summary  of  such 
matters  as  will  show  clearly  the  business  and  resources  of  Mc- 
Donough  county.  To  the  thoughtful  and  intelligent  reader  these 
items  will  be- invaluable,  and  we  commend  them  to  the  capitalists 
of  the  country  as  showing  truthfully  the  situation  at  present  writ- 
ing, Kovember,  1876.  By  a  careful  examination  will  be  seen  :— 
1.  The  extent  of  our  territory.  '2.  The  available  proportion.  3. 
The  variety  of  its  productions.  4.  Value  as  a  stock  county.  5. 
Extent  of  manufactures.  6.  Openings  for  capital. 

Extent  of  Territory. — McDonough  county  is  square,  having 
within  its  boundaries  sixteen  townships  of  thirty-six  square  miles 
each,  or  a  total  of  five  hundred  and  seventy- six  square  miles.  In 
each  square  mile  there  are  six  hundred  and  forty  acres,  which 
makes  a  grand  total  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-eight  thousand 
six  hundred  and  forty  acres. 

Improved  Land. — By  this  statement  is  meant  such  lands  as  may 
be  enclosed  and  value  enhanced  by  cultivation;  by  erection  of 
buildings'-  or  in  the  manufacture  of  articles  of  profit.  It  is  cus- 
tomary in  the  assessment  of  real  estate  to  call  any  tract  improved 
that  has  any  portion  under  cultivation  or  used  to  increase  valuer. 
Taking  out  for  woodland,  marshes,  creeks  and  sloughs,  the  num- 
ber of  acres  adapted  to  cultivation  are  three  hundred  thousand. 

Unimproved  Lands. — The  proportion  of  unimproved  land,  as 
shown  in  the  table  given  elsewhere,  is  small,  being  less  than  one- 
twelfth  of  the  entire  land  in  the  county.  The  greater  portion  of 
this  never  will  be  brought  under  cultivation,  although  much  of  it 
is  of  great  value,  being  underlaid  with  coal,  and  having  on  it 
several  valuable  quarries  of  stone.  Several  of  our  finest  farms 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  291 

were  once  thought  to  be  as  valueless  as  much  of  this  unimproved 
land  now  seems  to  be,  and  it  may  be  that  a  considerable  part  of  it 
will  yet  be  cultivated. 

Real  and  Personal  Property. — For  the  wealth  of  the  county,  the 
statement  in  the  table  given  of  personal  property,  town  lots  and 
lands,  will  give  a  fair  idea.  We  learn  from  this  that  the  aggre- 
gate value  of  the  three  classes  of  property  named  is  §14,450,627, 
an  average  of  8451.56  to  every  man,  woman  and  child. 

Wheat. — "\Vhile  wheat  is  decidedly  preferred  to  all  other  grain, 
and  next  to  corn  is  the  most  important  raised  in  the  county,  yet 
for  a  few  years  past  the  yield  has  been  light  and  the  quality  poor; 
indeed,  the  average  yield  of  the  crop  has  scarcely  compensated 
for  the  outlay  of  seed  and  labor.  In  the  early  settlement  of  the 
county  abundant  crops  were  raised,  and  of  a  superior  quality, 
winter  wheat  being  principally  sown.  Of  late  years  spring  wheat 
has  taken  its  place,  the  cause  being  that  the  winter  wheat  has 
nearly  always  been  killed  by  the  severe  cold  of  our  winters. 
There  were  sown  the  past  year  21,343  acres  in  wheat,  the  yield 
being  very  small — not  sufficient  for  home  consumption. 

Curn. —  Among  the  products  of  McDonough  county,  as  well  as 
generally  in  the  United  States,  corn  takes  the  precedence  as  being 
the  most  profitable  and  peculiarly  adapted  to  our  soil.  There  were 
in  cultivation  in  this  county,  during  the  past  year,  121,215  acres 
of  this  grain,  being  about  two-fifths  of  all  the  laud  under  cultiva- 
tion. The  average  yield  is  generally  about  fifty  bushels,  but  in 
consequence  of  the  late  rainy  season  this  year  (1876),  the  average 
will  fall  far  below  that  amount.  In  many  places  the  crop  was  an 
entire  failure,  but  on  rolling  lands,  well  drained,  as  high  as  eighty 
bushels  to  the  acre  were  realized.  The  yield  this  year  will  amount 
to  about  4,000,000  bushels,  scarcely  more  than  will  supply  home 
demand,  the  majority  of  the  farmers  having  stock  sufficient  to  feed 
more  than  they  raised.  Many  farmers  do  not  pretend  to  sell  a 
bushel  any  season,  because  they  find  it  more  profitable  to  feed  it 
to  the  stock  than  to  sell  in  its  bulky  condition.  The  general  mar- 
ket price  of  corn  varies  from  thirty  to  forty  cents  per  bushel,  oc- 
casionally declining  to  twenty  five  cents,  but  often  advancing  to 
fifty  cents. 

Oats. — AVhen  considered  in  connection  with  the  artificial 
grasses,  and  the  nourishment  and  improvement  it  affords  to  live 
stock,  especially  the  horse,  this  grain  may  be  considered  as  one  of 


292  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

the  most  important  crops  we  produ-ce.  Its  yield  is  generally 
abundant  and  profitable.  The  past  year  the  crop  was  exceedingly 
light,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  nearly  all  the  farmers,  the  indica- 
tions in  the  early  part  of  the  season  being  that  an  abundant  crop 
would  be  realized.  Although  making  nearly  the  average  in  bulk, 
in  weight  it  fell  far  short,  in  many  instances  taking  two  bushels 
in  measurement  to  make  one  in  weight.  The  usual  yield  is  from 
thirty-five  to  forty-five  bushels  per  acre.  This  year  it  will  proba- 
bly not  be  over  sixteen  and  a  half.  There  were  20,171  acres  sown, 
which  will  equal  342,970  bushels  as  the  amount  raised.  The 
general  market  price  varies  from  twenty-five  to  forty  cents  per 
bushel. 

Other  Products. — Under  this  head  are  included  rye,  barley, 
buckwheat,  potatoes,  and  such  other  articles  as  are  commonly 
cultivated  in  small  quantities.  Allotted  to  the  use  of  these  pro- 
ducts the  past  year  were  7,435  acres. 

Rye  and  Barley. — These  grains  are  generally  a  sure  crop,  and 
the  yield  heavy ;  but  there  being  no  home  demand,  and  the  gen- 
eral market  price  so  low,  that  other  grains  are  more  profitable  ; 
consequently  but  a  small  portion  of  the  land  is  allotted  to  their 
culture. 

Buckwheat. — This  grain  is  but  little  cultivated  in  this  county,  in 
fact,  not  enough  to  supply  home  consumption.  It  is  not  profit- 
able, so  the  farmers  say. 

Potatoes. — The  common  Irish  potato,  so  extensively  cultivated 
in  most  of  the  temperate  climates  of  the  globe  because  of  its 
value  as  an  item  of  daily  food,  is  regarded  of  but  little  less  im- 
portance than  corn  or  wheat.  In  this  county  the  yield  is  gener- 
ally heavy.  /The  Colorado  bug,  which,  for  several  years  has  been 
so  destructive  of  the  potato,  destroying  the  vine  before  the  potato 
matures,  this  year  did  not  make  its  appearance  to  any  considera- 
ble extent.  It  is  hoped  that  the  days  of  this  enemy  of  the  potato 
are  numbered.  The  general  market  value  is  extremely  fluctua- 
ting, ranging  all  the  way  from  fifteen  cents  to  two  dollars  per 
bushel,  though  most  commonly  selling  at  about  fifty  cents  per 
bushel.  The  average  yield  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  bush- 
els to  the  acre,  which  makes  it  one  of  the  most  valuable  products 
raised. 

Meadow. — The  hay  crop  is  becoming  one  of  great  importance. 
The  vast  prairies  of  McDonough  county  affording  an  abundant 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  293 

yield,  which,  with  the  little  labor  required  to  raise  it,  and  the 
generally  fair  market  price,  makes  it  a  very  profitable  article  of 
culture,  besides  it  enables  the  farmer  to  rest  his  land.  The  prin- 
cipal kinds  grown  are  timothy  and  red  clover,  the  former  being 
superior  to  all  others.  The  market  price  of  this  staple  article 
varies  from  six  dollars  to  twelve  dollars  per  ton,  seldom  falling 
below  or  raising  above  these  figures.  The  last  season  there  were 
assigned  to  the  cultivation  of  grass  in  this  county  31,980  acres, 
which  produced  fully  two  tons  per  acre,  making  a  total  yield  of 
63,980  tons. 

Pasture. — The  number  of  acres  of  pasturage  at  present  in  this 

county  is  5*2,426.     This  is  used  for  pasturing  cattle,  almost  every 

farmer  having  a  few  acres  enclosed   for   that   purpose.     Some  of 

the  land  is  woodland,  and  can  be   used  for  no   other  purpose,  but 

.being  good  grazing  and  well  watered  makes  it  valuable. 

Wood  Land. — As  will  be  seen  by  our  table,  McDonough 
county  is  largely  prairie  land,  although  there  are  many  streams 
and  large  creeks  running  through  it,  which  are  bordered  by  tim- 
ber. Said  timber  does  not  extend  a  great  distance,  the  wood 
land  being  reported  to  the  assessors  as  only  44,976  acres,  or  about 
one-eighth  of  the  entire  amount.  The  timber  land  is  principally 
in  the  western  townships.  The  principal  varieties  are  white,  red 
and  black  oak,  hickory,  elm,  white  and  black  walnut,  birch,  etc. 
This  land  is  not  considered  as  valuable  now  as  it  was  in  the  ear- 
lier history  of  the  county,  when  it  was  deemed  essential  by  every 
farmer  that  he  should  have  the  greater  part  of  his  farm  in  tim- 
ber, that  he  might  have  sufficient  for  building  purposes,  fencing 
and  fuel.  The  question  of  supply  and  demand  for  the  timber 
puzzled  our  fathers  greatly,  but  it  has  been  effectually  solved  by 
the  introduction  of  the  railroad. 

Horses. — According  to  the  table  given  elsewhere,  there  are  13,- 
883  horses  in  this  county,  with  an  average  assessed  value  of  $45.35. 
The  character  of  the  horse  has  been  greatly  improved  in  the  past 
few  years.  In  1870,  Dr.  B.  E.  Westfall,  J.  M.  Reynolds  and  John 
C.  Moore  went  to  France  and  purchased  four  large,  fine  Gorman 
horses.  They  were  the  first  ever  imported  into  the  county.  Pre- 
vious to  this,  all  breeding  horses  were  of  common  stock,  and 
making  the  venture  to  secure  better  breed  was  a  new  era  in  horse 
raising  in  the  county.  Whether  it  would  prove  successful  or  not, 
time  alone  would  tell.  In  1873,  Dr.  Westfall  again  w^ent  to  France 
H— 19 


294 

and  imported  four  more,  while  B.  F.  Gloyd  went  to  Canada  and 
purchased  three  large,  splendid  Clydesdales.  Other  horses  have 
since  been  imported  by  other  parties,  making  fifteen  in  all.  Colts 
by  the  first  importation  were  sold  as  high  as  six  hundred  dollars 
each,  and  we  have  known  yearlings  to  sell  from  one  hundred  and 
sixty  to  two  hundred  and  ten  dollars  each.  There  is  an  increased 
demand  for  imported  horses,  and  the  breeding  of  the  better  class 
is  getting  to  be  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  county.  All  our  best 
farmers  are  manifesting  an  interest  in  the  business,  and  we  believe 
the  time  will  soon  come  when  McDonough  county  will  take  rank 
with  some  of  the  principal  counties  in  Ohio,  where  the  raising  of 
fine  horses  has  been  made  a  specialty  for  years,  and  where  a 
greater  revenue  is  derived  than  from  all  other  stock.  The  ques- 
tion, "Will  it  pay  to  raise 'the  better  class  of  horses?"  has  been 
fully  and  satisfactorily  answered  in  the  affirmative.  It  costs  no 
more  to  raise  a  good  horse  than  a  poor  one,  and  the  remuneration 
is  more  than  double.  Many  car  loads  are  shipped  from  this  county 
each  year. 

Cattle. — In  cattle  McDonough  county  is  fast  taking  a  leading 
position.  With  thousands  of  acres  of  excellent  pasture  land, 
with  living  streams  of  water  the  year  round,  together  with  the 
large  amount  of  grain  raised  in  our  midst,  makes  cattle  raising  a 
very  profitable  business.  For  some  years  past  Rigdon  Huston,  of 
Blandinsville  township,  and  Joseph  Lownes  &  Son,  of  New  Salem, 
have  been  devoting  their  time  to  the  improvement  of  this  class  of 
stock.  They  have  now  herds  that  will  rank  with  any  in  the 
State,  and  are  constantly  adding  to  the  number,  variety  and  qual- 
ity of  their,  stock.  Both  of  these  men  have  animals  that  cost 
them  thousands  of  dollars  each,  and  which  are  of  pure  blood  and 
undoubted  pedigree.  We  can  say  with  respect  to  cattle  what  we 
remarked  in  relation  to  horses,  it  costs  no  more  to  raise  the  better 
class  than  it  does  the  poorer,  and  the  profit  is  much  greater. 
Thousands  of  head  are  shipped  each  year  from  this  county- 
enough  to  average  about  seven  hundred  cars  each  year  for  the 
past  six  years,  or  about  two  and  one-third  cars  per  day.  Accord- 
ing to  our  table,  in  May  last  there  were  38, 123  head  in  the  county, 
assessed  at  an  average  of  $14.29  each.  Many  of  this  number,  of 
course,  are  milch  cows. 

Mules  and  Asses. — Notwithstanding  these  animals  will  do  more 
with  the  same  amount  of  care,  they  do  not  appear  to  be  a  favor- 
ite with  our  farming  community,  there  being  only  1383  head,  or 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  295 

just  one-tenth  as  many  as  we  have  horses.  The  average  value  at 
which  they  are  assessed  is  §50  84  each. 

Sheep. — There  has  been  a  remarkable  decrease  in  the  number 
of  sheep  raised  in  McDonough  county  during  the  past  few  years, 
caused  by  the  low  price  ol  wool  in  the  general  markets.  During 
the  war  wool  growing  was  a  most  profitable  business  and  largely 
engaged  in  by  our  farmers,  but  the  demand  for  woolen  goods  has 
decreased  greatly,  and  the  prices  realized  so  small,  that  other  busi- 
ness is  now  much  more  profitable.  We  have  now  in  this  county 
only  6,421  head  of  sheep,  with  an  average  assessed  value  of  $1  97 
each. 

Swine. — This  class  of  stock  has  received  more  attention  from 
our  farmers  than  any  other,  and  has  generally  been  the  most 
profitable.  The  American  nation  seems  "hoggishly"  inclined,  and 
the  prices  ruling  in  the  market  have  been  such  as  to  tempt  our 
farmers  to  invest  more  largely  in  these  animals  than  in  all  others 
combined.  Notwithstanding  the  large  number  that  have  yearly 
been  carried  off  with  the  cholera,  none  seem  to  abandon  the  busi- 
ness of  raising  the  stock.  The  breed  of  hogs  has  been  greatly 
improved  within  the  past  few  years  by  the  introduction  of  the 
English  Berkshire,  Chester  White  and  Poland  China.  From 
these  and  other  varieties  various  crosses  have  been  obtained  which 
have  proven  even  more  profitable  to  fatten  than  the  thorough- 
breds. J.  M.  &  S.  Work  have  done  much  to  improve  this  class  of 
stock,  and  deserve  the  thanks  of  the  whole  county.  Doubtless 
some  remedy  or  preventative  will  soon  be  discovered  which  will 
greatly  lessen  the  loss  of  swine  by  cholera  and  like  diseases,  if 
not  altogether  be  driven  from  among  them.  The  large  yield  of  corn, 
the  readiness  with  which  the  hog  fattens,  and  the  advanced  mar- 
ket price  affords  abundant  compensation  to  the  farmer  or  stock- 
raiser.  During  the  past  four  years  there  has  been  an  average  of 
72,000  head  of  hogs  shipped  from  this  county,  which,  counting 
250  pounds  each,  and  in  the  market  netting  §6  per  hundred,  would 
make  a  revenue  to  the  county  each  year  of  §1,080,000.  Accord- 
ing to  our  table,  we  have  only  46,446  head,  but  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind  the  table  was  compiled  in  May  last  when  there  are  a  less 
number  than  any  other  season  in  the  year,  sucking  pigs  never  be- 
ing counted  and  nearly  all  the  marketable  hogs  shipped.  The 
assessment  figures  will  never,  therefore,  show  the  true  number, 
for  many  pigs  that  are  not  assessed  before  the  next  yearly  assess- 
ment are  shipped  to  the  markets. 


296  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Orchards. — As  a  country  grows  older,  the  more  extensive  her 
orchards  and  abundant  her  fruit  crop.  McDonough  county  now 
ranks  among  the  foremost  fruit-growing  counties  in  the  State- 
both  in  regard  to  the  quantity  and  the  quality  of  the  fruit  grown. 
In  this  county  we  have  now  3,331  acres  devoted  to  this  purpose, 
which,  if  we  calculate  eighty  trees  to  the  acre,  would  make  a  to- 
tal of  266,480.  -This  number  is  divided  up  into  the  different 
kinds  of  fruit  grown,  such  as  apple,  pear,  peach  and  plum. 

Apple. — The  greater  part  of  the  land  devoted  to  the  cultivation 
of  fruit  is  used  for  raising  this  variety,  the  principal  kinds  grown 
being  jenneting,  winesap,  rambo,  bellflower,  Ben.  Davis,  Jonathan, 
Pennsylvania  red  streaks,  red  June  and  early  harvest.  These  are 
now  considered  standard.  Formerly  were  grown  to  a  considera- 
ble extent  Roxbury  russet,  Rhode  Island  greenings,  Baldwin, 
white  winter  pearmain,  and  peonix.  At  present  there  are  an  av- 
erage of  1,000,000  bushels  raised  in  this  county  each  year,  and 
the  amount  is  constantly  increasing — the  greater  number  of  trees 
hardly  yet  reaching  maturity,  while  additions  are  made  each 
year.  During  the  month  of  October,  1876,  there  were  shipped 
from  Macomb  30,000  bushels,  and  in  the  same  time  were  manufac- 
tured into  cider  at  the  same  place  42,000  bushels.  These  were  all 
grown  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  that  place.  The  apple  crop  is 
generally  sure  each  year,  there  never  having  yet  been  an  entire 
failure,  though  one  or  two  years  it  has  been  short.  A  good  price 
is  generally  realized  from  this  fruit,  and  it  is  found  of  very  profit- 
able culture.  About  six  hundred  bushels  to  the  acre  is  'now  con- 
nidered  an  average  crop,  our  trees  yet  being  young.  As  the 
orchards  become  older,  the  average  will  be1  greater. 

Peaches,  Pears  and  Plums. — These  are  not  especially  adapted  to 
our  climate,  and  seldom  yield  enough  to  justify  their  culture. 
The  quality  of  the  peach  is  very  poor ;  formerly  large  quantities 
and  good  qualities  were  raised,  but  climatic  changes  have  oper- 
ated against  them.  The  pear  and  plum  trees  grow  well,  but  the 
fruit  is  generally  poor,  the  pear  being  destroyed  by  a  blight,  and 
the  plum  by  the  curculio. 

Cherries. — The  principal  varieties  of  this  fruit  grown  are  the 
English  Morello,  Early  Richmond,  and  May  Duke,  the  two  for- 
mer being  superior  to  the  latter  and  more  liable  to  bear.  The 
yield  is  usually  large  ani  of  a  superior  quality. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  297 

. — Tli  is  fruit  is  becoming  one  of  the  staple  products  of  the 
county,  the  yield  generally  being  very  heavy,  where  the  proper 
care  and  attention  is  given.  The  market  is  good  and  at  prices 
that  make  its  culture  profitable.  The  varieties  mostly  cultivated 
are  the  Concord,  Delaware,  Hartford  Prolific,  Isabella,  and  Ca- 
tawba.  The  manufacture  of  the  grape  into  wine  is  found  quite 
remunerative  and  is  being  entered  into  quite  extensively  by  fruit 
growers. 

Small  Fruit. — The  small  fruits  cultivated  in  this  county  are  the 
currant,  gooseberry,  blackberry,  raspberry  and  strawberry,  all  of 
which  yield  well  and  are  found  quite  profitable.  The  quality  of 
each  is  good.  It  has  only  been  in  the  last  four  or  five  years  that 
any  attention  has  been  given  to  the  raising  of  small  fruit,  but  as 
it  is  shown  that  it  can  be  made  to  pay,  doubtless,  many  others 
will  enter  into  the  business. 

Carriages  and  Wagons. — McDonough  county  appears  well  sup- 
plied with  vehicles  of  all  kinds,  and  as  the  [country  grows  in 
wealth  more  will  be  used,  especially  of  the  finer  grade. 

Since  writing  the  above  another  crop  has  been  harvested,  which 
has  been  much  more  abundant  than  that  of  1876.  For  1877  the 
wheat  crop  was  better  than  for  many  years.  The  quality  is  also 
much  better  than  usual.  Owing  to  heavy  and  almost  continual 
rains  in  the  spring  the  prospect  for  a  good  corn  crop  was  unfav- 
orable, but  even  this  is  fully  an  average  crop.  In  many  townships 
the  yield  will  be  larger  than  in  1876.  There  were  planted  in  1877, 
in  number,  116,355  acres  against  121,215  in  1876.  Th'e  potato 
crop  will  be  very  large,  the  season  being  very  favorable  and  the 
potato  bug  hardly  being  known.  A  larger  yield  ot  hay  was  pro- 
duced than  in  any  year  of  the  county's  history.  The  only  products 
of  the  county  that  approximates  a  failure  is  the  fruit,  but  little  of 
any  kind  being  raised,  scarcely  enough  for  home  consumption. 

We  here  subjoin  several  tables  of  statistics,  which  speak  for 
themselves,  and  to  which  we  invite  attention.  The  tables  show 
the  assessed  value  of  the  articles  given,  which  is  much  below  the 
real  worth  of  the  property.  The  State  Board  of  Equalization 
reduced  the  amount  reported  by  the  assessors  twenty-nine  per  cent, 
which  if  added  would  largely  increase  the  amount.  In  the  first 
table  we  have  given  such  years  as  we  could  find.  Previous  to  the 
year  1857  there  were  no  abstracts  made  of  assessments,  so  we 
were  compelled  to  gather  the  statistics  from  different  papers  on 


298 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


file  in  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk.  It  will  be  observed  that 
there  is  a  vast  increase  in  1873,  which  is  accounted  for  by  saying 
that  previous  to  that  time  assessments  were  made  on  a  basis  of 
from  one-third  to  one-fifth  the  cash  value;  while  now  they  are 
made  on  the  estimated  cash  value.  The  tables  will  be  interesting 
as  showing  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  county  during  the 
vears  of  its  existence. 

t 

TABLE  OF  ASSESSMENTS  OF  REAL  AND  PERSONAL  PROPERTY  OF  SUCH  YEARS  AS 
ARE  ATTAINABLE,  FROM  1830  TO  1876,  INCLUSIVE. 


Year. 

Personal 
property. 

Lands, 

Town   lots. 

Railroad 
property. 

Total. 

1830 

826  742 

1831  

31,625 

1832 

42  764 

1835  

109,714 

1839             

313,883 

$827,305 

1850 

346  669 

982  350 

$71  761 

1855       

1,071,008 

2,556,488 

287,983 

1856 

2  039  445 

4  334  732 

1858               

1,339,795 

3,769,415 

615,654 

$482,936 

$6,207,800 

1859 

1,020  ?83 

2  822  511 

527  710 

393,580 

4  764  084 

1860 

906  409 

2  831  593 

599  447 

395  440 

4  669  889 

1861            

884  '828 

2  307  265 

447  265 

400,503 

4,040,201 

1862             

810  052 

2  153  711 

400  533 

372  118 

3  736  412 

1863          

1,026,247 

2,377  702 

411,365 

400,533 

4,215,881 

18(>4 

1  157  347 

2  437  449 

419  219 

176  308 

4  190  323 

1865  

1,419,560 

2,514,854 

523,888 

183,137 

4,641,439 

1867 

2  400  879 

4  432  449 

912  557 

243  276 

8,471  384 

1868  

1,575,402 

3.260,872 

738.463 

306,793 

6,279,922 

1869 

942  022 

2  845  794 

513  479 

326,275 

4,627,570 

1870 

813  313 

2  893  954 

460  978 

3Q9  444 

4  400  689 

i87i            ;.           

742  678 

2  811  610 

438  689 

350,308 

4,342,276 

1872   

763,508 

2,735,419 

432,213 

363,355 

4,294,495 

1873  

4,413,028 

10  731  833 

1,781,116 

1.890,838 

18,516,815 

1874 

1  981  429 

9  303  589 

1  644  030 

1  204  692 

16  066  225 

1875  

1,935,  ('82 

8,817,400 

1,620,250 

738,862 

14,947,390 

1876                       

3  678  798 

8  632  325 

1  493  394 

13  711,765 

HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


299 


Woodland  —  No.  of  acres.. 

O                    el               ^  r—  "^         ;O      10 

1 

••^^^ggggsg^g 

s 

Pasture—  No.  of  acres  

eo" 

SSiSSiisSSIsliJis 

§ 

Pasture—  No.  of  acres  

0 

S  ?  i  x  =  ~  G  *;;  £  £  x  £  5  ?:  £  o 

3 

Other  Products—  No.    of 
No  of  acres     

ISi88ll§§iill§§SS 

§ 

Meadow—  No.  of  acres.... 

eo 

a 

Oats—  No.  of  acres  

8 

7  ~_.  T  'x  5  ~  -~  7~i  te  ^-  —  H  ~.  ~  ~ 

0 

-1 

Corn—  No.  of  acres  

" 

t-1 

isiliSilililgiligg 

ct 

Wheat  —  No.  of  acres  

d 

o  i-c  g  y  2      -9  ^  =  ~    :  '-  "  ^~  £  ~.  — 
t^  i-  re  ?i  i-      ?S  £  :s  c"4    •  -r  P  x  - 

i 

Value  town  lots         

cTc-T-—  ot^      L-  cT     cT   :  o^     c"rlMc; 

» 

^     ococo      „          ^    ^     o      ^ 

r-T 

§ll^Sli^s^|§^gls| 

I 

Value  of  lands      

1C  1^  7C  O  i-  71  —  re  71  71  C--  7!  —  71  7)  S  :'  71 

Q 

i~  •:§  x  r:  f:  •-:  vf  -i'  v=  ~\~~i.~  —  — 

s 
ft 

^^.z$~"~'f£Z:ty7~^Z:,^^i~y 

§ 

Value  personal  property. 

s 

f3g§i:§=n?:Hl 

I 

Value   agricultural    im- 
plements and  tools  

.x,          -o.ce::     p 

1 

8 

Acres  unimproved  land.. 

.-1                          »-H                    —  —  71        TT  t"-        CC 

S 
8 

c^i  ri  ri  r»  oo  •$  c<  N  !-?:--;  ~  x  5  M  t^  ^  ?\ 

g 

Acres  improved  land  

aaassaass^sa  ?'«  ^  ^  ?i  - 

§ 

111  liljill  1  11  1  1  i  i 

A 

i    i    !   :   i   :   1    ;   :   :    1   i    i    I    !   i   i   i 

1  !  I  !  !  !  i  1  i  i  1  i  i  i  1  i'i 

i  j  !  1H  1  :^  H  i  1  h   cU 

- 

^, 

0 

=i  y§i5«J2  is'  j  :^  i^ 

g 

300 


HISTORY    OF    M  DONOIHJII    COUNTY. 


Value. 


s^s*saB%sssas8sc»! 

«D  COl>t>OO-i— itD^t^iOt^QO^^t^-O^' 


No.  of  wagons   and  car- 
riages  


S£ccg;*cc^3g;5;2£3£ 


Value. 


No.  of  hogs. 


i  C?  I-  1--  t  T}<  S3  •-£  00  OC  ST.  ^  O 
CCCOi—  -r-MC-l^X-l— t^C5 

i^i^uoai-^co 
eo  C?OOI-H  t-i  oI^ 


Value. 


^  *»t*  LC  an  .— '  t^  c^  o  'M  L^  r*.  o 
oSS i~  o  cc  c  •-=  ac  - 


No.  of  sheep. 


Value. 


No.  of  mules  and  asses.. 


Value.... 


>  ?J  2?  C:  r?  o  cc  £  i-  co  o>  q> 


^^^gc^c^^a 


tfo.  of  cattle. 


)iCOOOt^CC»OOI^-OOOCX?Tf<r*( 
:  O  »O  tC  CC  O  7-1  CC;  t^  O  O  OS  ^  1^5  ( 
I  rt  CC  O  —  l^  00  u-7.  iO  C4  CC  <M  L--  00  < 


Value.. 


No.  of  horses 


a 

oju 
'o'S, 


o    :  >O 

^^  ;^^ 


HISTORY    OF    M' DO  NO  UGH    COUNTY.  301 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE    BAR    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

In  looking  over  the  records  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  this  county, 
we  observe  the  names  of  many  practicing  attorneys  who  have 
since  hecome  eminent  in  their  chosen  profession  or  in  the  affairs 
of  the  State.  "We  propose,  in  this  chapter,  to  give  a  short  sketch 
of  some  of 'these,  giving  first,  the  Judges;  second,  State's  Attor- 
neys, and  third,  practicing  attorneys. 

Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court. — McDonough  county  is  now  in  the 
Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit,  but  on  the  organization  of  the  county 
and  up  to  1873,  it  was  included  in  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit  of  the 
State.  Originally  this  circuit  included  all  that  part  ot  the  State 
known  as  the  "Military  Tract,"  and  extended  across  the  northern 
part  of  the  State,  including  the  counties  of  Cook  and  JoDavies. 

The  first  judge  of  this  circuit  was  the  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young, 
who  was  appointed  in  the  year  1828,  and  made  his  residence  at 
Galena;  afterwards  in  1833,  he  resided  in  Quincy  and  remained 
in  office  till  January  1837,  when  he  resigned,  having  been  by  the 
legislature  elected  United  States  Senator  for  six  years.  Judge 
Young  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  northern  Illinois.  He  ranked  high  in  his  profession,  and  his 
counsels  did  much  to  shape  the  policy  of  the  State.  In  his  man- 
ners gentle,  courteous  and'  entertaining,  which  qualities  rendered 
him  attractive  and  popular.  He  was  generous  in  his  feelings  and 
liberal  in  his  views,  and  hence  stood  high  in  the  esteem  of  all  who 
had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance.  He  possessed  a  liberal  en- 
dowment of  intellectual  ability  and  literary  and  legal  acquire- 
ments, arid  these  with  his  other  qualifications,  admirably  fitted 
him  for  the  post  he  was  called  to  fill.  Upon  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact  he  left  a  lasting  and  favorable  impression.  His 
course  in  the  United  States  Senate  brought  him  to  general  notice, 


302  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

and  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  was  appointed  commis- 
sioner of  the  general  land  office,  by  President  Polk.  He  also  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  other  offices,  at  the  city  of  Washington, 
with  honor  to  himself  and  advantage  to  the  country. 

The  Hon.  James  II.  Ralston,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  elected 
by  the  Legislature  in  1837  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
resignation  of  Judge  Young,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year  he 
resigned  on  account  of  his  health,  with  a  view  of  going  to,  and 
living  in,  Texas,  whither  he  went,  but  soon  returned  to  Quincy, 
his  former  residence  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
In  1840  he  was  elected  State  Senator.  In  1846  President  Polk  ap- 
pointed him  Assistant  Quartermaster  of  the  United  States  army, 
and  he  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty  to  the  Commandant  of  the 
Illinois  Volunteers,  then  en  route  for  Mexico.  Having  discharged 
the  duties  of  his  station  faithfully  during  the  war  with  Mexico, 
he  returned  home  and  soon  after  emigrated  to  California. 

The  Hon.  Peter  Lott,  a  native  of  ISTew  York,  was  elected  the 
successor  of  Judge  Ralston,  and  continued  in  the  office  until 
January,  1841.  He  was  subsequently  appointed  clerk  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  of  Adams  county,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until 
1848,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office  under  the  provisions 
of  the  new  constitution,  and  served  until  1852;  he  then  went  to 
California  and  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  United 
States  Mint,  in  San  Francisco,  by  President  Pierce,  and  was  re- 
moved in  185  b  by  President  Buchanan,  and  afterwards  moved  to 
Kansas  and  lived  in  humble  life. 

Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  elected  Judge  by  the  Legislature 
in  1841,  and  continued  in  office  till  August,  1843,  when  he  re- 
signed, having  been  elected  to  Congress  from  the  Fifth  Congress- 
ional District.  The  life  and  career  of  this  great  man,  is  so  well 
and  widely  known  as  to  render  any  extended  notice  of  him  use- 
less. It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  the  circumstances  under  which  he 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  were  sufficient  to  thoroughly 
try  the  force  and  scope  of  his  abilities.  The  circuit  was  large — 
the  previous  incumbent  of  the  office  had  left  the  "docket"  loaded 
with  unfinished  "cases"  ;  but  he  was  more  than  equal  to  the  task. 
He  "cleaned  out  the  docket"  with  that  dispatch  and  ability 
which  distinguished  his  subsequent  course;  and  so  profound 
was  the  impression  which  he  made  upon  the  people,  that,  in  the 
first  congressional  electional  which  occured  after  he  was  estab- 
lished in  his  character  as  a  judge,  he  received  the  nomination  for 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  o03 

member  of  the  lower  house  of  Congress,  and  was  elected  thereto. 
Through  the  distinguished  abilities  which  he  displayed  as  a  States- 
man, he  received  the  appellation  of  the  "Little  Giant,"  and  be- 
came the  recognized  leader  of  a  great  political  party.  In  1860  he 
received  the  nomination  for  the  Presidency,  but  was  beaten  by 
Abraham  Lincoln,  his  competitor  for  the  United  States  Senate 
two  years  previous.  On  the  inauguration  of  President  Lincoln, 
and  the  subsequent  withdrawal  of  the  Southern  States  from  the 
Union,  and  the  war  following,  Mr.  Douglas  took  strong  union 
ground,  and  declared  henceforth  there  could  be  but  two  parties  in 
the  county,  patriots  and  traitors.  In  a  few  days  thereafter  he  was 
taken  sick  and  died  on  the  third  of  June,  1861,  sincerely  mourned 
by  the  whole  nation.  But  two  men  have  ever  been  more  sincere- 
ly mourned  than  Stephen  A.  Douglas — George  Washington  and 
Abraham  Lincoln. 

Hon.  Jessie  B.  Thomas  succeeded  to  the  office.  He  was  ap- 
pointed in  August  18-13,  and  continued  in  it  until  1845,  when  he 
resigned.  Judge  Thomas  possessed  high  legal  abilities  and  ac- 
quirements, and  discharged  the  duties  of  the  office  with  honor  to 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.  After  his  resigna- 
tion he  was  appointed  to  another  circuit  and  soon  after  died. 

Hon.  ]STorman  H.  Purple  was  the  next  incumbent  of  the  office. 
He  was  elected  in  1845,  and  served  till  May  1849,  when  he  re- 
signed. The  probable  cause  of  this  was  the  insufficiency  of  sal- 
ary. The  people  of  this  district  were  anxious  to  retain  him  as 
judge  and  probably  would  but  for  the  cause  stated.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished for  high  legal  abilities  and  executive  talents,  and  the 
office  was  rendered  the  more  honorable  by  his  having  occupied  it. 

Hon.  "Wm.  A.  Minshall  was  the  next  judge.  He  was  elected  in 
May,  1849,  and  continued  in  the  office  until  his  death,  which  was 
in  October,  1851.  Judge  M.  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  came 
early  into  the  State.  He  was  an  active  and  successful  lawyer  and 
attained  distinction  in  his  profession.  Previous  to  his  election  as 
judge,  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention, 
and  also  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature. 

Hon.  O.  C.  Skinner  succeeded  Judge  Minshall,  and  occupied  the 
office  from  May,  1851,  to  May,  1853,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
supreme  bench  and  remained  there  till  1858,  when  he  resigned, 
lie  was  a  sound,  able  lawyer  and  popular  as  a  judge,  and  gained 
eminence  in  his  position  on  the  supreme  bench. 


304  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUCJH  COUNTY. 

lion.  Pinkney  H.  Walker  succeeded  Judge  Skinner.  He  occu- 
pied the  office  from  May,  1853,  to  May,  1858.  He  was  then  ap- 
pointed by  the  Governor  to  fill  a  vacancy  in  the  supreme  bench- 
caused  by  the  resignation  of  Judge  Skinner.  In  1859  he  was 
elected  to  the  supreme  bench  for  nine  years,  which  position  he 
now  holds.  Judge  Walker  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  came 
into  the  State  with  his  father  among  the  first  settlers,  and  located 
in  this  county.  He  had  only  such  advantages  for  obtaining  his 
literary  acquirements  as  the  county  then  afforded ;  but  a  strong  de- 
termination, added  to  high  intellectual  abilities  and  good  health, 
carried  him  over  all  the  educational  wants  of  the  time,  and  gave 
him  a  fair  position  as  a  scholar.  The  same  qualifications  rendered 
him  thorough  as  a  student  of  law,  and  gave  him  superiority  as  a 
counsellor,  and  marked  him  as  a  proper  person  for  the  position 
which  he  now  occupies  and  sustains  with  distinguished  ability. 
His  present  residence  is  Rushville,  Schuyler  county. 

Hon.  John  S.  Bailey  was  the  succeeding  incumbent  of  the  office, 
and  served  for  three  years.  Previous  to  this  appointment,  he  was 
State's  Attorney  for  the  district  ;  was  considered  a  sound  lawyer, 
and  made  an  impartial  judge.  He  now  resides  in  Macomb,  and 
yet  follows  his  chosen  profession. 

Hon.  Chauncey  L.  Higbee,  the  present  incumbent,  was  first  elec- 
ted in  1861,  and  has  been  re-elected  twice,  each  time  for  six 
years.  His  reputation  as  an  able  judge  is  unquestioned,  and  less  ap- 
peals are  made  from  his  decisions  than  from  any  other  in  the 
State. 

S.  P.  Shape. — This  gentleman  was  born  in  Mississippi,  but  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio  while  yet  an  infant.  In  the  spring 
of  1839  he  removed  to  this  State;  afterwards  read  law  with  Judge 
Purple  and  Judge  Powell  in  Peoria,  and  on  the  eleventh  of  June, 
1856,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  first  opened  an  office  in  Meta- 
mora,  Illinois,  remaining  there  but  a  short  time,  when  he  removed 
to  Lewistowu,  in  Pulton  county,  in  which  place  he  yet  resides.  For 
many  years  he  has  had  an  extensive  practice,  not  only  in  the 
counties  of  his  own  judicial  district,  but  in  Logan,  Mason  and  Cass 
counties  he  has  had  a  large  amount  of  business  before  the  courts. 
In  August,  1877,  he  was  elected  judge  of  this  district  without 
opposition.  Although  he  has  had  but  little  practical  experience 
on  the  bench,  his  thorough  knowledge  of  law,  quick  comprehen- 
sion and  well  known  impartiality,  will  doubtless  make  him  popular 
with  the  bar  and  the  people. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  305 

Stale 's  Attorneys. — The  gentlemen  who  have  filled  the  office  of 
State's  or  prosecuting  attorney  for  the  district  of  which  McDou- 
ough  county  forms  a  part,  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice. 
Like  the  judges  they  form  a  galaxy  in  which  the  citizens  of  the 
county  may  justly  take  pride.  If  it  were  possible  we  would  be 
pleased  to  give  a  more  extended  notice  of  the  life  work  of  each, 
but  our  space  forbids. 

The  first  incumbent  of  the  office  was  the  Hon.  Thomas  Ford. 
This  gentleman  served  from  the  organization  of  the  county  until 
January,  1835.  Possessed  of  high  and  noble  qualities  of  manhood, 
a  thorough  student,  a  keen,  energetic,  untiring  lawyer,  of  strict 
integrity  and  high  and  laudable  aspirations,  he  was  universally 
esteemed  and  respected.  Afterwards  became  judge  of  the  north- 
ern district,  and  when  he  became  known  over  the  State  he  was 
chosen  governor  by  a  spontaneous  movement  of  the  people.  He 
held  this  office  during  the  Mormon  war. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Ford  was  the  Hon.  William  A.  Richard- 
son, who  served  till  1837.  Mr.  Richardson's  personal  merits  and 
characteristics  are  too  well  known  to  the  people  to  require  any 
delineation.  His  predominating  traits  were  courage,  unyielding 
perseverance  and  unvarying  adherence  to  the  course  to  which  he 
was  committed.  He  had  command  ef  a  regiment  of  Illinois 
volunteers,  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Yista 
his  cap  was  carried  from  his  head  by  a  musket  ball.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  home,  where  his  services  were  recognized 
and  rewarded  by  a  generous  people  by  an  election  to  Congress. 
He  was  re-elected  five  times.  His  last  election  was  in  1860.  He 
was  also  appointed  Governor  of  Nebraska,  by  President  Buchanan. 
This  post  he  resigned  after  a  year's  service. 

Hon.  Henry  L.  Bryant  succeeded  Mr.  Richardson,  his  term 
commencing  in  1837  and  continuing  until  1839.  He  is  character- 
ized as  a  gentleman  of  fine  qualities  and  an  able  lawyer. 

Hon.  William  Elliot  was  the  next  occupant .  of  the  office.  He 
served  from  January,  1839,  till  January,  1848.  He  was  esteemed 
as  a  worthy  man,  a  warm  friend  and  a  good  lawyer.  He  served 
in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  was  wounded  in  a  hand-to-hand  con- 
flict with  a  single  Indian,  whom  he  killed.  He  was  quartermas- 
ter in  the  fourth  regiment  of  volunteers  during  the  Mexican  war, 
and  served  through.  He  returned  to  Lewietown  after  the  war.  and 
soon  died. 


306  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Hon.  Robert  S.  Blackwell  was  the  successor  of  Mr.  Elliot,  and 
served  from  1848  till  1852.  Mr.  Blackwell  was  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  lawyers  in  the  State,  and  is  the  author  of  "Black- 
well  on  Tax  Titles." 

Hon.  Calvin  A.  Warren  followed  Mr.  Blackwell  in  the  office. 
Mr.  "Warren  served  from  May,  1852,  until  August,  1853.  This 
gentleman  was  a  popular,  fluent  speaker  and  successful  lawyer. 

Hon.  John  S.  Bailey  succeeded  Mr.  Warren.  He  filled  the 
office  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  of  the  people  of  the 
district,  until  September  1858,  when  he  resigned  to  take  a  seat  on 
the  bench. 

Hon.  L.  H.  Waters  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  to  serve  out 
the  unexpired  term  of  Mr.  Bailey.  Mr.  Waters  served  until  the 
fall  of  1860,  giving  due  satisfaction  to  the  people.  In  the  follow- 
ing year  Mr.  Waters  offered  his  services  to  the  general  govern- 
ment, and  served  a  few  months  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  28th 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers.  Resigning,  he  was  commissioned 
to  raise  another  regiment,  which  he  succeeded  in  doing,  and  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Colonel.  The  84th  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers,  under  his  command,  did  much  excellent  service.  C®1. 
Waters  made  a  splendid  officer,  and  was  much  thought  of  by  his 
men.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Ma- 
comb,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  for  about  four  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Missouri.  He  now  resides  at  Jefferson  City, 
the  capital  of  that  State. 

Thomas  E.  Morgan  was  the  next  incumbent  of  this  office,  and 
was  elected  in  1860.  Mr.  Morgan  was  a  lawyer  of  fine  abilities, 
and  stood  at  the  head  of  the  bar  in  this  part  of  the  State.  He 
died  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  July,  1867.  L.  H.  Waters,  a 
notice  of  whom  is  given  above,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  his  death. 

L.  W.  James,  of  Lewistown,  was  the  next  incumbent.  Mr.  James 
is  a  lawyer  of  more  than  ordinary  abilities,  and  was  one  of  the 
best  prosecutors  in  the  district.  He  enjoyed  the  respect  and  good 
will  of  every  member  of  the  bar.  His  term  of  office  expired  in 
1862. 

C.  F.  Wheat,  the  present  County  Attorney,  was  first  elected  in 
1872,  and  re-elected  in  1876. 

Among  others  of  the  more  prominent  members  of  the  early  bar, 
the  most  prominent  was  Hon.  Cyrus  Walker.  Mr.  Walker  was 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  307 

born  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia,  May  14tb,  1791.  Was 
taken  when  an  infant  to  Kentucky,  where  he  resided  until  1833, 
when  he  removed  to  Macomb,  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  resided  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which  took  place  December 
1,  1875.  We  are  indebted  to  Hon.  Hawkins  Taylor,  of  Washing- 
ton City,  for  the  following  sketch,  first  appearing  in  the  Carthage 
Gazette,  January  5,  1876  : 

"The  father  of  Cyrus  Walker  and  my  mother  were  brother  and 
sister,  and  we  both  grew  up  in  the  same  county  (Adair).  When 
the  families  first  went  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  settlers  for 
twenty  miles  had  to  assist  each  other  in  house  raising  and  log 
rolling,  and  for  three  years  the  father  of  Cyrus  acted  as  a  ranger, 
watching  the  movements  of  the  Indians  and  warning  settlers  of 
approaching  trouble.  His  circuit  embraced  several  hundred  miles 
of  wild,  unsettled  country,  and  he  was  compelled  to  live  almost 
entirely  on  game,  and  camp  out  at  night.  I  have  often  heard  him 
class  dried  coon  as  the  sweetest  meat  that  he  had.  Several  of  the 
uncles  of  Cyrus  Walker  were  soldiers  in  the  revolutionary  war. 
The  old  stocks  were  both  Irish  Presbyterians,  all  of  them  learned 
in  the  scriptures,  and  of  stern,  unyielding  wills.  Cyrus  was 
mainly  self-taught,  there  being  no  schools  in  that  section  of  the 
country  at  that  day,  and  from  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  took 
high  position  as  a  lawyer.  At  that  time,  in  that  part  of  Ken- 
tucky, the  lawyers  traveled  the  circuit  on  horseback,  and  were  a 
merry  mess.  They  were  getting  ready  to  attend  the  Burksville 
court  when  Billy  Owens,  a  man  of  large  ability,  kind  heart,  and  a 
good  lawyer,  but  rough  and  rather  dissipated,  saw  that  Walker 
was  not  with  them,  when  he  hunted  him  up  and  inquired  the 
reason.  Walker  told  him  that  he  had  no  money.  Owens  at  once 
gave  him  $15,  and  Walker  went  along,  and  was  so  successful  that 
he  paid  expenses  and  took  home  $37,  a  larger  sum  than  he  had 
ever  at  one  time  possessed  ;  and  as  long  as  he  remained  in  Ken- 
tucky he  was  the  leading  lawyer  of  that  county.  Several  years 
later,  when  Walker  was  at  the  head  of  the  bar,  Owens,  partially 
under  the  influence  of  liquor,  made  a  bitter  attack  on  Walker, 
during  the  trial  of  an  important  case,  to  which  Walker  made  no 
reply,  although  at  that  day  rather  disposed  to  readily  resent  an 
insult.  Some  of  his  friends  inquired  the  reason.  Walker  told 
them  of  the  kind  assistance  of  Owens  when  he  so  much  needed 
help,  and  when  it  did  him  so  much  good;  remarking  that  nothing 
Owens  could  say  that  did  not  afreet  his  integrity  would  be  resented 


308  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

by  him.  The  next  morning  Owens  made  an  apology  to  the  court 
for  his  unjust  remarks  to  Walker.  Walker's  motto  through  life 
was  never  to  forget  a  friendship  nor  do  injustice  to  any  one. 

"I  have  often  heard  Mr. Walker  say  he  regretted  the  prosecution 
of  the  unfortunate  young  man  that  was  tried,  convicted  and  hung 
in  your  town  for  a  murder  committed  by  him  in  Frederick,  on 
the  Illinois  river.  He  always  believed  he  could  have  saved  the 
life  of  the  young  man  if  he  had  defended  him  ;  and  while  the 
case  was  an  aggravated  one,  still  Mr.  Walker  said  that  nothing 
could  ever  induce  him  to  prosecute  another  man  for  murder,  and 
he  never  did ;  but  he  defended  and  got  clear  a  good  many  that 
deserved  to  be  hung. 

"When  Mr.  Walker  made  a  profession  of  religion,  he,  for  a 
time,  contemplated  quitting  the  law  and  turning  his  attention  to 
the  ministry.  He  was  educated  to  believe  that  slavery  was  a  sin, 
and  when  he  joined  the  church  he  freed  all  his  negroes  and  paid 
their  passage  to  Liberia.  Amongst  the  number  was  a  sprightly 
boy  who  has  since  risen  to  distinction  in  Liberia.  This  boy  had 
a  young  and  handsome  wife,  who  was  the  property  of  the  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  Mr.  Walker  belonged. 
When  Mr.  W.  set  his  slaves  free  he  urged  his  minister  to  free  the 
wife  of  the  boy  he  had  set  free,  but  the  minister  refused  to  do  so, 
saying  he  was  not  able  to  lose  the  value  of  the  woman,  although 
he  had  himself  got  her  by  marriage.  Mr.  Walker  sent  off  his 
freed  people,  fully  believing  that  the  minister  would  not  separate 
the  man  and  wife  when  the  time  for  separation  came,  but  he  still 
refused,  and  Mr.  Walker  bought  and  paid  him  for  her  and  sent 
her  on  after  her  husband  to  Louisville. 

"Mr.  Walker  removed  to  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  in  1833, 
and  lived  there  until  his  death.  He  never  moved  to  Iowa,  but  he 
practiced  there  for  several  years.  The  partiality  of  Judge  Doug- 
las against  him,  as  he  believed,  was  the  cause  of  his  going  to  Iowa, 
and  his  large  practice  retained  him  there  for  several  years. 

"Mr.  Walker,  as  you  truly  say,  had  no  taste  for  office.  He 
served  two  terms  in  the  Kentucky  legislature  during  the  great  ex- 
citement between  the  "  old  court  "  and  "  new  court,"  because  he 
was  the  most  popular  man  on  the  old  court  side  in  the  county, 
and  was  forced  by  his  friends  in  the  contest  to  their  ticket,  and 
carried  the  county  by  a  majority  of  222,  when  no  other  man  on 
his  side  could  have  carried  it. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  309 

"After  the  formation  of  congressional  districts  in  Illinois,  based 
on  the  census  of  1840,  the  JoDaviess  district  was  largely  Whig 
with  the  Mormon  vote,  but  a  debatable  district,  the  Mormon  vote 
going  to  the  Democrats.  Xearly  all  the  counties  in  the  district 
had  Whigs  who  wanted  to  be  candidates,  but  they  were  willing  to 
give  way  to  Mr.  Walker,  if  he  would  only  consent  to  be  a  candi- 
date. Walker  was  then  in  Iowa,  attending  the  courts,  the  last 
one  being  in  Lee  county,  lasting  several  weeks.  He  stopped  with 
me.  His  trunk  was  full  of  letters  from  all  parts  of  the  district, 
urging  him  to  allow  the  use  of  his  name  for  Congress.  Amongst 
the  letters  were,  at  least  two,  from  Joe  Smith,  and  several  from 
George  Miller,  then  Mormon  Bishop,  but  who  had  formerly  lived 
at  Macomb,  and  was,  while  there,  a  brother  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian church  with  Mr.  Walker.  All  these  letters  urged  Mr. 
Walker  to  be  a  candidate  to  save  the  district  for  the  Whigs. 
Smith,  in  his  letters,  pledged  the  Mormon  vote  to  Walker,  if  he 
would  allow  his  name  to  be  used,  but  would  not  agree  to  vote  for 
any  other  Whig.  Mr.  Walker  had  steadily  refused  to  be  a  can- 
didate, until  he  felt  that  his  duty  to  the  noble  Whig  party  re- 
quired him  to  make  the  sacrifice ;  but  when  he  entered  into  the 
contest,  he  was  terribly  in  earnest  and  went  into  the  tight  with  a 
will.  Alexander  Sympsou,  one  of  God's  people,  and  myself 
were  to  watch  the  movements  at  Xauvoo.  It  was  well  understood 
by  Walker  and  his  friends,  that  the  Democracy  would  not  give 
up  the  Mormon  vote  without  a  great  effort.  One  of  the  Backin- 
stose's  was  sheriff,  and  the  other  clerk  of  the  Hancock  Circuit 
Court,  and  Douglas  was  a  candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Adams 
district.  I  supposed,  and  I  became  satisfied,  that  things  were 
not  working  well  in  Xauvoo,  and  went  down  to  Wareaw  to  meet 
Mr.  Walker,  who  was  there  holding  a  joint  discussion  with  his 
opponent,  Hoge.  That  night  Mr.  Walker  went  up  to  Xauvoo. 
The  next  morning  he  called  on  Joe  Smith,  and  told  him  that  he 
released  him  from  all  the  pledges  made  to  give  him  the  Mormon 
vote,  but  in  turn  asked  honest  dealing,  telling  Smith  that  if  it  was 
necessary  for  their  (the  Mormons)  safety  from  arrest  by  the  State 
authorities  that  he  should  vote  for  Hoge,  that  he  would  tell  him 
so,  and  in  that  event  he  would  at  once  go  to  Galena,  and  spend 
the  balance  of  time  before  the  election  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
district.  Joe  said,  with  great  vehemence  :  u  I  promised  you  the 
support  of  this  church,  and  vou  shall  have  it.  You  stay  here  and 
H— 20 


310  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

meet  Hoge  on  Thursday."  Mr.  Walker  was  worn  out  in  the  can- 
vass, and  not  well,  and  he  stopped  with  Joe.  The  joint  discussion 
between  the  candidates  took  place,  and  everything  indicated  that 
Walker  would  get  the  united  vote  of  the  church.  On  Saturday 
the  voters  of  the  church,  in  city  and  county,  were  called  together 
in  the  grove  near  the  temple,  where  Hyrum  Smith  made  a  speech 
of  about  one  hour,  urging  the  voters  to  vote  for  Hoge.  It  was  a 
regular  Democratic  speech,  and  appeared  to  have  no  influence. 
He  was  followed  by  Wilson  Law  in  a  bold,  telling,  Whig  speech 
in  favor  of  Walker,  and  from  the  commencement  until  the  end,  he 
was  cheered  by  the  entire  Mormon  audience,  At  the,  close  of  the 
speech.  Hyrum  arose  black  and  furious,  stretching  himself  to  his 
full  height,  and  extending  his  arm  its  lull  length,  said  :  'Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  if  this  people  vote  against  Hoge  for  Congress  on 
Monday,  a  greater  curse  would  befall  them  than  befell  them  in 
Missouri.  When  God  speaks,  let  men  obey,'  and  immediately 
left  the  stand ;  and  the  whole  audience  dispersed  in  silence. 
When  Walker  heard  of  Hyrum's  speech  he  was  indignant,  and. 
was  for  leaving  Joe's  house,  but  Joe  stopped  him,  professing  to  be 
furiously  mad  at  Hyrum,  saying  that  he  would  himself  make  a 
speech  to  the  people  on  Sunday  morning,  and  he  again  repealed 
the  pledge  that  Mr.  Walker  should  have  the  Mormon  vote.  The 
next  morning  Joe  did  speak  to  the  people  just  one  hour,  and  no 
hour's  speech  ever  had  closer  attention.  In  that  speech  Joe  passed 
the  highest  eulogy  on  Walker  that  I  ever  heard  from  man. 
He  denounced  politicians — declaring  that  Walker  was  not  a  poli- 
tician, but  an  honest  and  a  true  man,  that  had  been  forced  to  be  a 
candidate  against  his  will.  He  denounced  in  the  most  bitter 
terms  any  member  of  the  church  who  would  consult  the  Lord 
about  who  they  should  vote  for,  and  declared  that  if  any  one 
should  do  it,  he  should  be  cut  off  from  salvation,  said  that  he 
would  vote  for  his  friend  Cyrus  Walker,  and  commanded  all  to 
vote  for  the  man  of  their  choice  without  reference  to  what  any 
one  said ;  but  in  his  hour's  praise  of  Walker,  and  denunciation  of 
any  one  that  would  consult  the  Lord  about  who  they  should  vote 
for,  he  said  :  'Brother  Hyrum  is  the  elder  brother ;'  'Brother  Hy- 
rum never  has  deceived  his  people  ;'  'Brother  Hyrum  loves  this 
people ;'  'When  the  Lord  commands,  the  people  must  obey,'  etc. 
The  next  day  Joe  did  vote  for  Walker,  and  the  balance  of  the 
Mormons  voted  for  Hoge  and  elected  him  as  the  Lord  had  com- 
manded. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  311 

"Joe's  whole  object,  from  the  commencement,  was  to  force  Gov- 
ernor Ford  to  give  an  unconditional  pledge  that  no  more  writs 
should  be  issued  against  him  and  other  Mormons  on  requisition 
from  the  Governor  of  Missouri  on  the  old  Missouri  indictments ; 
and  he  succeeded.  At  least,  such  a  paper  was  brought  to  him, 
Saturday  night  about  one  in  the  morniag.  Ford,  I  believe,  denied 
that  he  signed  such  a  paper.  The  parties  engaged  in  securing 
the  pledge  were  not  particular  how  they  got  it,  and  may  have 
forged  it,  or  Ford  may  have  been  in  a  muddled  condition  when  he 
signed  the  paper.  The  election  of  Hoge  and  Douglas  depended 
on  getting  the  pledge.  They  made  three  trips  to  Springfield-be- 
fore  they  got  the  pledge  that  satisfied  Joe,  and  as  soon  as  he  was 
satisfied  he  at  once  sent  messages  to  the  commanding  and  faithful 
to  support  Douglas.  They  did  support  and  elect  him. 

"This  is  the  real  history  of  that  campaign,  so  far  as  Mr.  Walker 
was  concerned.  It  was  to  him  a  campaign  of  mortification  from 
the  start.  He  was  forced  into  it  contrary  to  his  wishes,  and  forced 
into  it  largely  to  get  the  Mormon  votes;  but  after  entering  the 
contest  he  was  denounced  by  Whigs  all  over  the  district  ior  try- 
ing to  get  the  Mormon,  and  really  lost  more  Whig  votes  in  the 
district  than  would  have  elected  him,  simply  because  it  was  sup- 
posed that  he  could  get  the  Mormon  vote. 

"Cyrus  was  the  oldest  of  a  large  family,  aud  contributed  largely 
to  the  education  of  his  brothers  and  sisters,  and  to  starting  them 
in  business.  Probably  no  man  ever  gave  a  larger  share  of  his 
earnings  than  did  Cyrus  Walker  to  the  education  of  his  brothers, 
sisters  and  relations,  to  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  and  to 
benevolent  purposes;  besides  the  freeing  of  his  slaves,  which  were 
twice  as  much  in  value  at  the  time  as  all  his  other  property 
amounted  to."  * 

O.  H.  Browning,  Ex-Sectetary  of  the  Interior,  and  Ex-United 
Senator.  Archibald  Williams,  the  leader  of  the  Republican  par- 
ty in  the  old  5th  Congressional  District,  of  which  McDonough 
county  formed  a  part,  J.  P.  M.  Buchanan,  an  able  man,  himself 
his  worst  enemy,  W.  C.  GouHy,  S.  Corning  Judd,  W.  H.  Manier, 
B.  T.  Schofield,  T.  Lyle  Dicky,  present  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  others,  have  had  a  good  practice  in  this  county. 

The  Present  Bar. — The  present  resident  representatives  of  the 
bar  are  no  less  able  than  those  preceding  them  at  any  time  in  the 
history  of  the  county.  Among  the  number  are  several  who  en- 


312 

joy  a  very  large  and  lucrative  practice,  not  only  in  our  own  court, 
but  in  the  United  States  District  Court,  and  in  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  State.  As  we  give  a  list  of  attorneys  in  the  business  di- 
rectory of  the  various  towns,  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  in  this 
connection. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  313 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

RAILROAD      BUSINESS. 

Elsewhere  we  give  the  history  of.  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad,  therefore  it  is  not  necessary  to  give  more  than  a 
passing  notice  in  this  place.  Without  disparagement  to  the 
others,  this  can  be  said  to  be  the  chief  road  passing  through  the 
county,  its  volume  of  business  being  larger,  and  its  facilities  far 
greater  than  its  competitors.  McDonough  county  subscribed 
875,000  to  aid  in  its  construction,  and  no  better  investment  has 
she  ever  made.  There  has  been  returned  by  the  road  in  the  shape 
of  taxes,  far  more  than  the  principal  and  interest  of  the  subscrip- 
tion. By  its  aid  the  resources  of  the  county  have  been  developed 
to  an  extent  that  one  can  scarcely  realize.  Towns  have  sprung 
up  along  its  line  as  if  by  magic,  farms  have  been  opened  and 
factories  have  been  set  in  operation,  employing  hundreds  of 
hands,  and  the  wealth  of  the  east  has  been  poured  into  our  laps. 
George  W.  Smith,  the  lamented  editor  of  the  Independent,  proph- 
esied in  1853  that  we  would  almost  double  our  population  in 
ten  years.  In  less  than  that  length  of  time  the  population  had 
not  only  doubled,  but  more  than  trebled.  To-day  we  have  six 
times  the  population  we  had  then,  and  are  constantly  increasing. 

Opponents  of  the  railroad  told  the  people  we  had  no  use  for  it, 
as  one  train  of  cars  would  carry  away  all  the  surplus  produce 
raised  in  the  county  in  one  year.  Through  the  kindness  of  "W. 
McCredie,  Freight  Auditor  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad,  we  present  a  table  snowing  the  shipments 
and  receipts  of  this  road  for  the  period  of  time  mentioned. 
Had  it  not  been  for  the  great  Chicago  fire  in  1871,  which  destroyed 
the  records  previously  made  we  should  have  given  for  the  whole 
period  ot  time  in  which  the  road  has  been  operated  ;  but  enough 
is  given  to  show  the  extent  of  the  business.  Reducing  the  num- 


314 


HISTORY   OF   M  DONOUGH    COUNTY. 


ber  of  pounds  to  cars  we  find  there  has  been  shipped  of  flour, 
153;  wheat,  560;  corn,  2,465;  oats,  561;  barley,  29  ;  rye,  451 ; 
other  freight,  6,058;  coal,  18,926;  cattle,  1,581;  hogs,  3,343.  We 
also  find  received  in  the  same  time  in  cars,  lumber,  3,606 ;  agri- 
cultural implements,  300;  merchandise,  3,349;  other  freight,  4,352. 

STATEMENT  of  Shipments  over  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Qaincy 
Railroad  from  May  1,  1871,  until  December  81,  1875* 


Station. 

Wheat, 

DM. 

Corn, 
•ft. 

Oats, 
Ibs. 

Other 
grain,  Ibs. 

Cattle 
No. 

Hogs, 
No. 

Flour 
brls. 

All  other 
freight. 

Tonnage  in 
Ibs. 

Prairie  City.... 
Bushnell.  
Bardolph  
Macomb  
Colchester..  . 
Tennessee...  . 
Colmar  

818,900 
2,581,360 
1,095,040 
5,092,044 
38,400 
1,087,575 
499,000 

19,110,210 
7,708,440 
11,440,170 
8,886,701 
1,381,210 
591,300 
1T7..720 

2,695,370 
1.656,390 
1,770,984 
4,398,110 
594,350 
529,325 
300,680 

3,283,655 
1,799,767 
962,000 
2,546,970 
308,070 
395,730 
324,255 

3,227 
2,334 
4,477 
8,990 
154 
4,330 
1,782 

35,211 
18,509 
19,343 
55,348 
3,126 
27,764 
14,539 

718 
2,300 
2,429 
9,787 

4,325,630 
18,820,895 
5,903,756 
16,073,810 
7,728,761 
4,058,812 
3,663,120 

42,736,995 
40,685,502 
31,442,490 
62,778,905 
385.315,541 
22,129,242 
10,559,725 

11,212,319 

49,295,751 

11,945,209 

9,034,297 

25,294 

173,840 

15,234 

60,574,784 

595,648.400 

During  the  same  period  there  was  shipped  coal  fromBushnell,  441,000  pounds;  from  Tennessee, 
3, 762, 500  pounds;  from  Colchester,  374, 313,850  pounds;  which  does  not  include  what  was  carried 
for  use  of  company,  which,  with  the  amount  taken  by  engines,  was  120,000  pounds  per  day. 

Receipts   During  the   Same  Period. 


Station. 

Lumber, 
Ibs. 

Agricul- 
tural im- 
plements, 
Ibs. 

Merchan- 
dise, Ibs. 

All  other 
freight,  Ibs. 

Tonnage 
in  Ibs. 

Prairie  City  

7  750  038 

128  195 

5  00"  6~)S 

3  123  606 

16  009  497 

Bushnell..'  

Bardolph 

14,115,535 
3  809  5'>0 

1,352,075 
13  650 

6,812,895 
1  Ol)5  3'>0 

10,839,387 
10  803  078 

33,119,892 
15  851  568 

Macomb  

22,801,416 

635  465 

lo'  316  '704 

14  490  548 

53  244  133 

Colchester  

1  946  430 

15  940 

3  763  777 

2  471  687 

8  lf»7  *34 

Tennessee  

933  450 

11  9°1 

1  078  061 

1*479  '705 

3,503,137 

Colmar  

759  400 

5  900 

28'?  169 

30y  6l>0 

1  357  089 

52,115,789 

2,163,146 

33,486,584 

43,517,631 

131,283,150 

-'Records  previous  to  May  1, 1871,  were  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  October  9,  same  year. 

A  total  of  44,740,  or  an  average  of  31  cars  per  day  received  in 
and  shipped  from  the  county  over  this  road.  Mr.  McCredie  in- 
forms the  writer  that  there  has  been  a  slight  falling  off,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  opening  of  the  two  competing  roads,  the  T.,  P.  & 
"W.,  and  the  K,,  R.  I.  &  St.  L.  railroads. 

Through  the  kindness  of  A.  L.  Hopkins,  General  Superintendent 
of  the  T.,  P.  &  "W.,  we  give  table  of  shipments  over^that  road. 
We  could  not  obtain  either  receipts  or  shipments  over  St.  Louis 
Division  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.,  but  estimating  as  equal  to  the  T.,  P.  & 
"W.,  we  can  see  it  will  require  seventy  cars  per  day  to  import  our 
merchandise  and  transport  our  products.  A  good  showing. 


HISTORY   OF    M'DOXOUGH    COUNTY. 


315 


TABLE  of  Shipments  over    T.,  P.  and  W.  E. 
Ending  December  31,  1875. 


for    Six     Years 


Station. 

Wheat, 
Ibs. 

Corn, 
Ibs. 

Oats, 
Ibs. 

Other 
grain, 
Ibs. 

Cattle 
Cars. 

Hogs, 
Cars. 

Merchan  - 
dise  and 
Sundries  . 
Ibs. 

All  other 
freight. 
Ibs. 

Tonnage 
in  Ibs. 

120,033,057 
11,554,430 
49,417,351 
76,586,490 
70,000,750 

Bushnell  

7,115,865 
318,210 
2,565,165 
1,941,830 
3,798,460 

23,287,520 
4,678,900 
31,874,276 
49,819,670 
16.742,5dO 

6,705,154 
883,530 
4,933,985 
5,903,020 
4,366,960 

4,798,976 
392,200 
3,784,945 
4,663,700 
3,202,350 

234 
40 
424 
242 

479 

397 
66 
452 
394 
1,302 

15,994,066 
21,590 
1,539,325 
760,990 
3,798,460 

48,225,030 
3,140,000 
885,498 
777,250 
2,458,000 

Scottsburg  
Good  Hope  
Sciota  

Blandinsville... 

316  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUKTY. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Although  McDonough  county  may  not  have  furnished  as  many 
men  eminent  in  the  counsels  of  the  nation  as  some  other  locali- 
ties, yet  there  are  a  few  names  not  entirely  unknown  to  fame, 
some  of  whom  have  attained  eminence  at  the  bar,  some  in  the 
sacred  desk,  proclaiming  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  some 
upon  the  battle  field,  yielding  up  their  life's  blood  in  defense  of 
their  country ;  while  still  others,  as  merchants,  doctors,  lawyers 
and  tillers  of  the  soil,  have  toiled  on,  content  to  remain  in  obscur- 
ity, having  the  love  and  confidence  of  their  family  and  those  by 
whom  they  are  or  were  immediately  surrounded.  In  this  connec- 
tion we  give  sketches  of  such  of  our  fellow  men  as  were  easily  ob- 
tainable, and  who,  as  a  whole,  will  represent  faithfully  the  spirit 
and  progress  of  our  county. 

LARKIN    C.    BACON. 

This  gentleman  is  a  son  of  Joseph  B.  arid  Agnes  (Couch) 
Bacon,  both  of  whom  were  native  Tennesseeans.  Larkin  himself 
was  born  in  Washington  county,  that  State,  on  the  second  day  of 
May,  1818. 

The  circumstances  of  the  senior  Bacon,  at  the  time  of  Larkin' s 
birth,  were  good,  but  through  unfortunate  speculation  in  the 
grain  and  stock  trade,  he  met  with  severe  reverses  and  was  con- 
siderably injured  in  property.  Soon  thereafter  he  moved  from 
his  native  State  to  Missouri,  and,  after  a  four  years'  residence  in 
that  State,  came  to  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  where  he  arrived 
in  March,  1834,  settling  upon  section  20,  Tennessee  township, 
and  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  death  called  him  away. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his  early  life  upon  a  farm, 
having  to  labor  from  the  time  he  became  physically  able.  His 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  317 

education  consists  in  that  derived  from  the  common  schools  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lived,  and  instructions  received  at  the 
hands  of  Isaac  Holton,  who,  for  a  number  of  years,  conducted  a 
high  school  at  Hillsgrove,  in  this  county. 

Larkhrs  general  character  in  youth  was  excellent.  He  then 
possessed  moral  qualities  which  have  adhered  to  him  ever  since, 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  never 
uttered  an  oath — never  took  the  name  of  his  God  in  vain. 

He  has  always  been  a  farmer,  but  in  addition  to  the  ordinary 
duties  of  farm  work,  has  for  twenty -five  years  past  been  dealing 
in  stock.  All  the  grain  that  he  raises  upon  his  farm  is  consumed 
in  feeding  hogs  and  cattle  for  the  market.  He  chose  agricultural 
pursuits  because  he  had  been  reared  to  them,  and  never  had  any 
disposition  to  engage  in  any  other  business. 

In  the  cause  of  education  Mr.  Bacon  has  always  taken  great 
interest,  and  has  done  much  to  advance  its  interests  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  resides.  For  about  twenty-five  years  he  has 
held  the  office  of  School  Trustee. 

He  has  never  changed  his  place  of  residence  but  three  times, 
removing,  as  previously  stated,  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri,  and 
from  Missouri  to  Illinois,  settling  with  his  parents  on  section  22. 
on  which  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Tennessee  now  lies,  and  from 
thence  to  his  present  place  of  abode  on  section  20,  which  latter 
change  occurred  in  December,  1842. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  December,  1841,  Mr.  Bacon  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Honore  Durbin,  who,  after  a  compan- 
ionship of  twenty-three  years,  departed  this  life.  She  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  died  possessing  a  hope  of  a  future  reward.  On  the 
twentieth  day  of  October,  1864,  Mr.  Bacon  was  again  married, 
the  lady  being  Mrs.  Louisa  (Latimer)  Meek,  of  Abingdon,  Knox 
county.  Xo  family  in  the  community  is  more  universally  esteemed 
than  that  of  Mr.  Bacon. 

AVhen  Mr.  Bacon  began  life  for  himself  he  had  but  little  of  this* 
world's  goods,  receiving  from  the  estate  of  his  father,  we  believe, 
about  forty  acres  of  land ;  but  he  had  the  courage  and  the  will 
necessary  to  success,  which,  combined  with  extreme  caution,  has 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  the  farmers  of  McDonongh  count}'. 
He  has  been  successful  in  business  affairs,  as  is  evinced  by  the  well 
stocked  farm  on  which  he  resides,  one  of  the  best  improved  and 


318  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

carefully  managed  in  the  county.  He  makes  few,  if  any,  mistakes, 
in  his  business  ventures,  and  usually  judges  correctly  upon  every 
matter  requiring  an  outlay,  and  if  he  ever  errs,  it  is  on  the  safe 
side.  In  his  neighborhood  he  is  regarded  as  a  most  excellent 
financier. 

Mr.  Bacon  has  been  a  professor  of  the  Christian  religion  from  a 
youth  up,  having  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  when  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  with  which  body  he  retained  connection 
until  the  congregation  where  he  held  membership  was  broken  rip 
in  consequence  of  the  removal  of  its  members  from  the  vicinity, 
when  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  1845  or 
1846,  since  which  time  he  has  held  in  that  body  the  offices  of  trus- 
tee, class  leader,  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School,  in 
which  latter  capacity  he  has  been  very  active. 

It  has  always  been  characteristic  of  Mr.  Bacon  to  seek  retire- 
ment rather  than  publicity,  and  for  that  reason  he  has  never  occu- 
pied the  public  positions  in  life  he  is  so  well  calculated  to  fill. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing  Mr.  Bacon  has  passed  from  earth, 
departing  this  life  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  October,  1877,  leaving 
a  large  family  and  many  relatives  and  friends  to  sincerely  mourn 
his  loss.  But  he  was  prepared  to  go  ;  death  to  him  had  no  fears, 
arid  now  within  the  limits  of  the  unseen  world  he  awaits  the  com- 
ing of  other  loved  ones. 

MAJOR   THOMAS    A.    BROOKING. 

The  genealogy  of  the  Brooking  family  can  be  traced  back 
through  several  generations,  those  bearing  the  name  filling  hon- 
orable and  responsible  positions  in  society  for  several  years.  The 
grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  on  both  his  father's  and 
mother's  side  was  Colonel  in  the  revolutionary  war,  while  his 
father,  as  well  as  himself,  bore  an  honorable  part  in  the  war  of 
1812. 

Thomas  Alexander  Brooking  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of 
eleven,  eight  daughters  and  three  sons,  and  was  born  in  Rich- 
mond, Nottaway  county,  Virginia,  on  the  twentieth  day  of  Jan- 
uary, 1795.  His  parents  were  Thomas  Vivian  and  Elizabeth 
(Sherwin)  Brooking,  the  latter  being  the  daughter  of  Colonel 
Samuel  Sherwin,  of  revolutionary  fame.  But  little  is  known  of 
his  early  history,  save  that  every  opportunity  was  given  him  to 
obtain  such  education  as  would  fit  him  for  a  useful  station  in  life. 
He  attended  a  good  classical  school  in  Chesterfield  county,  Vir- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  319 

giiiia,  under  charge  of  Prof.  Ferguson,  a  noted  teacher  in  his  day, 
and  afterward  under  Prof.  Smith.  He  then  went  to  Manchester, 
Virginia,  and  entered  a  school  under  charge  of  Prof.  O'Reily,  one 
of  the  best  classical  scholars  in  the  State.  When  he  completed 
the  prescribed  course  in  this  school,  he  returned  to  Richmond, 
Virginia,  and  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Alexander  McRae, 
one  of  the  most  talented  lawyers  in  the  city,  where  he  pursued  his 
studies  for  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  enable  him  to  pass  a  satis- 
factory examination  and  obtain  admittance  to  the  bar.  On  receiv- 
ing his  diploma,  he  removed  to  the  State  of  Kentucky  for  the 
purpos'e  of  engaging  in  practice,  but  for  some  cause  he  abandoned 
the  idea  of  making  the  legal  profession  a  life  business,  but  the 
knowledge  obtained  through  his  reading  was  beneficial  during 
life.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  1812  the  elder  Brooking 
enlisted  as  a  private,  and  when  cut  some  months  he  was  recalled 
home  to  attend  the  bedside  of  a  dying  sister,  the  government  ac- 
cepting the  services  of  the  sou  (of  whom  we  write)  as  a  substitute. 
Though  quite  young,  he  performed  his  duty  faithfully  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country. 

A  few  months  before  reaching  his  majority,  as  previously  stated, 
he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  the  towrn  of  Versailles, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade.  Here  he  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  Miss  Mary  Louisa  Threshly,  which  soon  termi- 
nated in  love,  and  the  offer  of  his  hand  and  heart  in  marriage  ;  ac- 
cordingly, on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  January,  1816,  the  young 
couple  were  duly  married.  The  tie  thus  formed  remained  un- 
broken until  severed  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Brooking  in  1858.  Thir- 
teen children  were  they  blessed  with,  six  of  whom  have  passed  on 
to  that  other  shore,  seven  yet  living  to  fill  responsible  stations  in 
life.  One  of  the  number,  Edward  Brooking,  lost  his  life  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  as  a  member  of  the  137th  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers.  Of  the  number  now  living,  William  is  a  large  farmer, 
living  north  of  Macomb ;  A.  V.  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer;  R. 
S.  is  a  trader  ;  Mrs.  Jane  Randolph,  widow  of  the  late  William  H. 
Randolph,  lives  in  Macomb  ;  Mrs.  Augusta  Palmer  lives  in  Pales- 
tine, Texas ;  Mrs.  Lucy  Snyder"  lives  in  Carrollton,  Mo. ;  Mrs. 
Julia  Randolph,  wife  of  J.  H.  Randolph,  of  Fort  Scott,  Kansas. 

Shortly  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Brooking  returned  to  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  where  he  remained  three  years,  after  which  he  located 
in  Union  county,  Ivy.,  where  he  leased  the  celebrated  Sulphur 
Springs,  continuing  in  its  charge  five  years,  when  he  removed  to 


320  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Princeton,  Caldwell  county,  remaining  there  until  the  fall  of  1834, 
when  he  made  his  tinal  removal  to  McDonough  county,  settling 
in  the  town  of  Macomb.  By  a  series  of  unfortunate  ventures  in 
Kentucky  he  lost  his  entire  fortune,  and  came  to  this  county  a 
poor  man  but  with  a  determined  will  and  the  intention  of  retriev- 
ing all.  On  his  arrival  here  he  engaged  as  a  teacher  of  a  select 
school,  continuing  the  same  until  the  following  spring.  For  two 
seasons  following  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick  north 
of  town,  on  the  site  of  Oak  wood  Cemetery,  after  which  he  re- 
moved to  the  old  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  William  T.  Brook- 
ing, where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1850,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  old  hotel  on  the  west  side  of  the  square,  which  he 
carried  on  for  some  years. 

In  1835  Major  Brooking  made  a  profession  of  religion  and 
united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Macomb,  with 
which  body  he  retained  connection  until  death,  and  was  very  ac- 
tive in  the  cause;  indeed,  this  was  his  nature;  whatever  he  under- 
took to  do  enlisted  all  his  sympathies  and  all  his  energies.  In  his 
death  the  church  in  Macomb  lost  one  of  its'most'usetul  members. 

In  politics,  Major  Brooking  was  an  old-line  Whig  as  long  as 
the  party  had  an  existence.  Henry  Clay,  that  honored  son  of 
Kentucky,  had  in  him  a  warm  supporter  and  friend,  and  every 
principle  of  that  old  party  had  a  response  in  his  breast.  With  its 
death  he  became  identified  with  the  Republican  party ;  although 
his  life  was  not  long  spared  after  its  oganization,  he  yet  had  the 
supreme  satisfaction  of  voting  for  its  first  candidate  for  President. 
Although  born  in  Virginia,  and  in  that  State  and  Kentucky 
spending  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  he  yet  was  an  anti-slavery 
man,  and  was  never  afraid  to  express  his  sentiments.  Save  that 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  he  never  held  public  office,  preferring 
the  retirement  of  private  life,  though  often  solicited  by  friends  to 
become  a  candidate.  Contrary  to  his  expressed  will  he  was  placed 
in  nomination  by  the  Whigs  in  1849  for  County  Judge,  but  it 
being  the  "off  year"  of  the  Whig  party  he  was  defeated.  Had 
he  been  elected,  he,  no  doubt,  would  have  discharged  the  duties 
of  the  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 

Major  Thomas  A.  Brooking  was  a  large  portly  man,  kind 
hearted  and  benevolent  in  the  extreme.  He  was  a  man  who  en- 
joyed life,  and  whatever  may  have  been  the  turn  in  fortune's  wheel 
it  made  no  perceptible  change  in  his  deportment.  His  doors 
were  always  open  to  the  poor  and  needy,  and  the  hospitalities  of 


HISTORY    OF    H'jX>NOXJGH    COUNTY.  321 

his  house  were  ever  extended  to  his  friends,  and  his  kind  invita- 
tions were  often  accepted.  It  was  his  pride  to  exercise  true  Vir- 
ginia hospitality.  During  his  life  in  McDonough.  county  he  made 
many  warm  friends  who  will  ever  bear  him  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. On  the  twenty-fifth  of  February,  1858,  he  was  called  to 
his  long  home.  But  he  was  prepared  to  go  and  could  unfalter- 
ingly say  when  the  dread  summons  came,  "Thy  will  be  done,  O, 
Lord."  He  was  buried  on  the  old  homestead,  the  services  being 
conducted  by  the  Masonic  Order  of  Macomb,  of  which  body 
he  had  for  many  years  been  a  consistent  member.  His  loved 
companion  tarried  upon  this  side  of  the  river  for  nineteen  years 
when  she  too,  passed  away,  leaving  a  lar^-e  circle  of  friends  and 
relatives  to  mourn  her  loss. 

A.  V.  BROOKING. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  was  Thomas 
A.  Brooking,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  old  McDonough,  who 
came  to  the  county  in  the  fall  of  1835,  and  here  lived,  honored 
and  respected  by  all,  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1858.  His  mothers  maiden  name  was  Mary  L.  Threshly  ;  she 
but  recently  departed  this  life  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

Alexander  Vivian  Brooking  was  born  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Ky., 
on  the  26th  day  of  February,  1829,  and  with  his  parents  came  to 
this  county  m  1835,  being  at  that  time  but  six  years  of  age.  He, 
therefore,  may  well  be  classed  as  one  of  McDonough  county's 
sons.  A  short  time  before  they  left  Kentucky  his  father  met 
with  misfortune,  losing  his  entire  property;  and,  like  many  others 
determining  to  build  up  again,  sought  new  fields  of  labor,  and  se- 
lected McDonough  county  as  the  basis  of  his  operations,  and  re- 
moved here  as  above  stated,  arriving  with  only  one  span  of  horses 
and  twenty-six  dollars  in  money.  The  early  life  of  "Viv.,"  as  he 
is  familiarly  called  by  those  who  are  intimate  with  him,  was  pass- 
ed upon  a  farm,  and  in  attendance  on  the  common  schools  of  the 
county.  The  first  school  which  he  attended  was  taught  by  T.  Lyle 
Dickey,  then  a  young  law  student',  and  now  one  of  the  Supreme 
Judges  of  the  State.  On  the  farm,  four  miles  north  of  Macomb, 
he  spent  twenty-nine  years  of  his  life,  or  until  he  was  thirty-three 
years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  Macomb,  embarking  in  the 
livery  business.  Here  he  has  since  remained,  engaged  in  the 
above  business,  and  also  for  many  years  having  charge  of  the  well 
known  Randolph  Hotel.  During  this  time  he  has  never  aban- 


322  HISTORY    OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY. 

doned  the  farm,  but  has  continued  in  charge  of  it,  overseeing  the 
raising  of  the  crops  year  by  year,  and  improving  it  greatly.  In 
one  thing  he  has  always  been  especially  noted,  and  that  is  in  his 
love  of  tine  stock,  and  in  this  branch  of  business  he  has  devoted 
much  time  and  the  expenditure  of  thousands  of  dollars.  Several 
of  the  most  noted  horses  ever  in  the  county  were  his  property. 
The  great  improvement  manifest  to  all  in  this  respect  is  due,  in  a 
great  measure  to  him.  He  was  the  originator  of  the  Stock  Asso- 
ciation of  the  county,  being  the  first  to  suggest  the  idea,  and  worked 
hard  to  bring  it  to  a  high  standard,  succeeding  beyond  his  ex- 
pectations. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  August,  1851,  he  was  united  in 
the  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Miss  Elizabeth  II.  Randolph,  daughter 
of  Benjamin  F.  Randolph,  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living.  Mrs.  Brooking  died  on  the  twenty-ninth 
day  of  August,  1862.  He  again  married  on  the  twenty-first  day 
of  April,  1864,  this  time  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Butler,  of  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  the  fruits  of  the  marriage  being  five  children,  one 
of  whom  is  dead. 

In  the  home  circle  Mr.  Brooking  is  kind  and  affectionate,  en- 
joying the  confidence  and  love  of  his  entire  family ;  in  public  he 
enjoys  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him  ;  in  business 
affairs  he  calculates  closely  ;  never  hastily  jumps  at  a  conclusion, 
generally  weighing  the  matter  carefully  in  his  own  mind,  and 
when  a  conclusion  is  arrived  at,  he  can  be  depended  upon. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  a  man  in  his  walk  of  life,  surrounded 
by  those  who  view  the  matter  in  a  different  light,  he  has  never 
taken  a  dram  of  liquor  in  his  life,  and  never  voted  for  license.  He 
makes  no  boast  of  his  temperance  principles,  however ;  does  not 
condemn  unmercifully  those  who  differ  with  him,  but  always  con- 
sistently practices  his  belief.  It  is  related  of  him  that  on  one 
occasion,  when  the  State  fair  was  held  in  Chicago,  he  was  on  a 
committee  of  which  Long  John  "Wentworth,  General  Singleton 
and  others  were  members,  .and  having  a  meeting  in  one  of  the 
rooms  of  a  hotel,  liquor  was  brought  in,  and  he  was  pressed 
to  partake.  Declining  respectfully,  he  told  them  he  never  had 
partaken  of  liquors  of  any  kind,  and  desired  never  to  do  so. 
Long  John,  then  so  full  he  could  hardly  stand,  staggered  across 
the  room,  and  slapping  him  on  the  shoulder,  said  :  "That's  right, 
my  boy ;  never  do."  And  he  never  has.  Neither  has  he  ever 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  323 

used  tobacco  in  any  form.     A  lesson  is  here  offered  to  young  men 
to  follow  his  example. 

EDGAR    BOLLES.    M.    D. 

William  K.  Bolles,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  our  present 
sketch,  is  a  "  true-blue  Yankee,"  having  first  seen  the  light  of 
this  world  in  ]STew  London,  Connecticut,  in  the  year  1807.  His 
mother,  Sarah  (West)  Bolles,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  her  birth- 
place being  in  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county.  She  was  also  born  in 
1807,  there  being  only  two  or  three  months  difference  between 
her  age  and  that  of  her  husband.  Their  son  Edgar,  of 
whom  we  now  write,  was  born  on  the  twelfth  day  of  January, 
1837,  in  Sandusky  county,  Ohio,  whither  his  parents  had  immi- 
grated some  years  previous.  When  he  was  but  six  weeks  old, 
desiring  to  better  their  condition  in  life,  his  parents  emigrated  to 
Lagrange  county,  Indiana,  traveling  the  entire  distance  in  an  old- 
fashioned  lumber  wagon  drawn  by  oxen.  Here  they  remained 
for  fifteen  years,  or  until  1852,  suffering  greatly  from  the  chills 
and  fever  of  that  malarious  district.  They  now  determined  on 
returning  to  Mrs.  Bolles'  native  county,  which  they  did,  remaining 
there  one  year.  The  mountains  and  rocks  were  too  much  for 
them,  however,  and  they  again  decided  to  try  the  West,  choosing 
this  time  the  fertile  prairies  of  Illinois.  They  came  direct  to 
this  county,  and  settled  in  Blandinsville  township  in  1853,  after- 
ward removing  to  Emmet,  where  the  old  folks  yet  remain. 

The  farm  has  been  the  great  nursery  of  nearly  all  the  best  men 
of  the  country,  and  here  Edgar  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth, 
acquiring  strength  of  mind  and  body,  which  tit  him  for  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  of  his  chosen  profession.  In  spring,  summer 
and  fall,  from  the  time  he  was  old  enough  to  be  of  assistance,  he 
was  compelled  to  labor,  and  in  the  winter  was  allowed  to  attend 
the  common  country  school.  Thus  his  life  was  passed  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-one.  During  all  this  time  there  was 
a  growing  desire  in  his  heart  to  occupy  a  higher  position  in  life, 
to  receive  an  education  that  would  fit  him  for  future  usefulness. 
As  soon  as  he  reached  his  majority  he  at  once  made  preparations 
to  attend  the  Seminary  in  Blandinsville,  an  institution  at  that 
time  of  some  importance.  Here  he  pursued  his  studies  for  two 
years,  acquiring  a  pretty  thorough  English  education,  enabling 
him  to  pursue  the  profession  of  a  teacher,  which  he  had  chosen 
as  a  stepping  stone  to  that  which  should  follow  after.  For  seven 


324  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

years  thereafter  he  engaged  in  this  work,  teaching  in  the  winter, 
when  a  school  could  be  obtained,  and  clerking  in  the  summer. 
In  this  way  he  obtained  means  for  the  principal  object  he  had  in 
view  from  the  first — the  study  of  medicine,  which  profession  he 
desired  to  adopt  as  a  life  work. 

In  August,  1853,  he  first  began  to  read  medicine  with  Drs. 
Huston  &  Hammond,  in  Macomb.  As  may  well  be  understood 
from  what  is  previously  written,  he  could  not  pursue  his  studies 
uninterruptedly  for  the  want  of  means.  In  the  fall  of  3868,  he 
was  considered  far  enough  advanced  to  attend  lectures,  and  hav- 
ing saved  enough  from  his  labors  to  pay  his  tuition  for  the 
term,  we  therefore  find  him  in  attendance  in  Long  Island  Hos- 
pital College,  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Here  he  remained  dur- 
ing the  term,  returning  home  in  the  spring,  and  engaging  in 
teaching  the  next  fall.  He  now  determined  to  enter  the  Detroit 
Medical  College,  Detroit,  Michigan,  as  a  more  thorough  and  suit- 
able institution,  which  he  did,  and  passing  through  the  prescribed 
course,  received,  in  the  spring  of  1870,  the  degree  of  "Doctor  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery."  On  graduating,  he  returned  home, 
taught  school  another  term,  and  returned  to  Detroit  in  the  fall, 
and  assisted  Professors  Weber  and  Jenks  during  the  college  term 
of  1870-71,  in  the  chairs  of  anatomy  and  diseases  of  women  and 
children.  At  the  close  of  the  term  he  concluded  to  remain  a  short 
time  in  Detroit,  and  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Jenks  as  assistant,  re- 
maining with  him  some  months.  Becoming  somewhat  dissatisfied 
with  the  practice  in  that  city,  he  returned  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of 
1860,  and  located  at  Pennington's  Point,  in  this  county,  where  he 
yet  remains.  During  the  first  year  or  two  of  his  stay  at  the  Point 
he  engaged  in  teaching  as  well  as  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
In  thus  doing,  he  made  enough  money  on  which  to  live  while 
building  up  a  self-sustaining  practice.  Something  over  six  years 
have  now  elapsed  since  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  profes- 
sion, and  he  now  enjoys  a  practice  second  to  but  one  or  two,  and 
probably  second  to  none  in  the  county.  Night  and  day  are  his 
services  in  demand,  and  his  success  as  a  physician  has  been  remark- 
ably good. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  May,  1872,  Dr.  Bolles  led  to  the  mar- 
riage altar  Miss  Fannie  Penrose,  of  Macomb.  with  whom  he  lives 
in  a  pleasant  home  at  the  Point.  Two  children  have  been  born 
unto  them,  one  of  whom  soon  passed  over  to  the  other  side  of  the 
river  of  death. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  325 

In  the  career  of  Dr.  Bolles  there  is  an  excellent  lesson  for 
young  men.  Inheriting  not  a  dollar,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  without  a  penny  to  begin  life,  he  worked  his  way  for  two 
years  through  a  good  high  school,  obtaining  an  education  to  fit 
himself  for  a  teacher,  which  profession  he  adopted  as  a  temporary 
expedient  to  enable  him  to  obtain  means  to  pursue  a  course  of 
study  for  the  medical  profession.  Entering  a  medical  college,  he 
soon  graduated  with  high  honors,  and  is  now  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  physicians  in  the  county.  To  enable  him  to  accom- 
plish all  this  he  spent  about  two  thousand  dollars,  every  dollar  of 
which  he  secured  by  hard  labor.  And  yet  there  are  hundreds 
and  thousands  of  yeung  men  who  utterly  bewail  their  fate,  and 
say  they  can't  advance. 

Dr.  Bolles  is  a  tall,  athletic  looking  man,  full  six  feet,  black 
hair  and  eyes,  solidly  built,  usually  in  the  enjoyment  of  perfect 
health.  His  powers  of  endurance  are  very  great,  especially  fit- 
ting him  for  the  life  of  a  physician.  As  a  man,  the  doctor  enjoys 
the  respect  of  all  who  are  acquainted  with  him;  his  social  quali- 
ties commend  him  to  all  alike,  In  the  home  circle  he  is  kind  and 
gentle  in  the  extreme.  AVe  believe  a  bright  future  is  yet  before 
him. 

ALOXZO    BARNES. 

'Alonzo  Barnes,  son  of  Truman  and  Laura  (Xeale)  Barnes,  was 
born  in  Xew  Hartford,  Conn.,  on  the  tenth  day  of  May,  1825. 
AVhen  but  a  mere  child  his  parents  removed  to  Xew  Haven,  in 
the  same  State,  where  they  remained  until  the  year  1838,  when 
they  came  AVest,  their  son  accompanying  them,  and  settled  in 
Canton,  Illinois.  From  the  time  he  attained  the  right  age,  until 
the  removal  of  his  parents  from  Xew  Haven,  he  attended  the  Lan- 
casterian  school  in  that  city,  obtaining  a  fair  common  school  edu- 
cation, since  which  time  he  had  the  advantage  of  but  one  winter's 
term  of  school.  The  desire  for  a  thorough  education  was  very 
great  with  him,  but  his  parents  were  unable  to  gratify  his  long- 
ing. This,  however,  did  not  deter  him  from  the  effort  to  acquire 
knowledge,  and  we  find  him  at  home,  after  the  labors  of  the  day 
were  ended,  studying  to  advance  himself  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
science  and  literature  of  the  day.  On  his  removal  to  Canton,  as 
every  youth  in  the  land  should  do,  he  learned  a  trade,  choosing 
that  of  cooper,  becoming  quite  proficient  in  the  business. 

H— 21 


326  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

When  seventeen  years  of  age,  by  permission  of  his  parents,  he 
left  home  to  care  for  himself,  with  a  determination  to  succeed  in  life 
if  it  were  possible.  He  commenced  work  in  the  timber,  cutting 
and  splitting  rails  at  fifty  cents  per  hundred,  and  cutting  saw  logs 
at  twelve  and  a  half  cents  per  log,  securing  in  this  way  the  small 
amount  of  cash  which  served  as  a  basis  for  all  his  future  opera- 
tions. One  thing  may  here  be  remarked  of  him,  and  that  is,  he 
has  always  obeyed  the  scriptural  injunction,  "Whatsoever  thy 
hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  all  thy  might."  In  thus  doing  suc- 
cess hath  crowned  his  efforts. 

In  boyhood  and  youth  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
his  elders,  keeping  aloof  from  the  degrading  and  demoralizing 
habits  in  which  the  young  are  liable  to  be  led.  It  is  said  of  him, 
no  oath  ever  passed  his  lip?,  and  that  he  was  never  known  to 
speak  a  wilful  falsehood.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  united  with 
the  Baptist  Church,  in  Canton,  and  was  baptised  by  Elder  Newell 
in  that  city.  During  all  the  intervening  years  he  has  ever  been  a 
consistent  member  of  that  denomination  of  Evangelical  Chris- 
tians, ever  taking  an  active  part  in  the  practical  duties  devolving 
upon  the  members  of  the  body  of  Christ.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
deacons  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Prairie  City,  and  has  held  the 
office  up  to  the  present  time. 

In  June,  1849,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Maria  L. 
Parker,  of  Canton,  111.,  by  whom  he  has  had  eight  children,  five 
of  whom  are  now  living,  three  having  passed  "  over  the  river," 
and,  upon  the  other  side,  are  "  watching  and  waiting"  for  those 
who  yet  remain. 

In  1852,  with  his  father-in-law,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
trade  in  Canton,  under  the  firm  name  of  Parker  &  Barnes,  which 
relation  was  continued  until  his  removal  to  Prairie  City,  in  1854. 
When  he  removed  to  the  latter  place  none  of  the  signs  of  thrift 
were  there  which  are  now  discernable.  The  prairie  in  all  direc- 
tions was  in  its  wild  state,  but  few  farms  having  been  brought  un- 
der cultivation.  How  different  now.  Not  an  acre,  not  a  rod,  but 
what  is  enclosed.  Mr.  Barnes,  on  his  removal  here,  engaged 
again  in  the  mercantile  trade,  he  having  the  honor  of  bringing  to  \ 
the  town  the  first  general  stock  of  goods.  We  believe  he  has, 
without  intermission,  continued  in  a  like  business  up  to  the  pres-  j 
ent  time.  He  also  entered  at  once  upon  the  work  of  building  tip 
and  adding  to  the  industries  and  business  interests  of  the  place. 
With  Major  Parker,  he  laid  out  the  first  southern  addition  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  327 

town  of  Prairie  City,  and  alone  has  expended  more  money  in 
buildings  than  any  other  person  in  the  town.  His  own  private 
residence  and  its  surroundings  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  town- 
ship, and  probably  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  county.  He  was 
the  first  postmaster  in  the  town,  and  held  the  office  for  ten  years, 
attending  faithfully  to  its  duties  when  it  was  more  annoyance  than 
profit.  In  1855  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  also  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Notary  Public,  one  or  both  of  which 
he  has  held  continuously  ever  since.  He  has  also  held  the  office 
of  township  treasurer  tor  about  ten  years.  As  before  remarked, 
Mr.  Barnes  is  a  man  of  great  determination,  and  who  will  allow 
no  obstacle  to  stand  in  the  way  of  success.  He  is -a  genuine  Yan- 
kee, showing  the  habits  of  thrift  belonging  to  that  class.  Starting 
in  life  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  without  a  dollar,  his  only  capital 
being  two  strong  arms,  he  has  succeeded  beyond  that  of  hundreds 
possessed  of  far  greater  advantages.  Young  men  should  profit  by 
his  example  as  a  citizen.  ^sfone  stand  higher  in  the  community 
than  Alonzo  Barnes,  and  none  more  than  he  deserves  the  good 
will  of  all.  As  a  husband  and  father,  he  is  kind,  pleasant  and  for- 
bearing, providing  for  the  necessary  wants  of  all  with  a  liberal 
hand. 

JAMES     M.    CAMPBELL. 

The  subject  of  the  present  sketch  is  of  Scottish  descent,  his 
grand  parents  on  -both  sides  having  been  born  in  Argyleshire, 
Scotland,  from  which  place  they  emigrated  in  1773,  before  the  be- 
ginning of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  settled  in  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia, where  his  father,  JohnR.  Campbell,  was  born.  His  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Margaret  F.  Self,  and  she  was  likewise  a  Vir- 
ginian by  birth.  About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  his 
parents  removed  to  Frankfort,  Ky.,  where,  on  the  twenty-second 
day  of  August,  1803,  James  Morrison  Campbell  was  born.  When 
about  four  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Muhlenfterg  county, 
Ky.,  where  they  remained  for  two  years,  going  from  thence  to 
Shawneetown,  111.,  in  1809.  In  the  campaign  against  the  Indians, 
in  the  war  brought  on  through  British  instigation,  our  country  at 
that  time  being  engaged  in  the  war  of  1812,  the  father  of  Mr. 
Campbell  went  out  as  Lieutenant  of  Rangers,  serving  several 
years.  In  1815,  when  peace  was  declared,  Lieutenant  Campbell 
failed  to  return  home,  when  Mrs.  Campbell,  supposing  him  dead, 
returned  at  once  to  their  old  home  in  Frankfort.  Here  they  had 


328  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

remained  but  a  short  time  before  the  husband  and  father  returned. 
At  this  time  James  M.  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  of  age.     Up  to 
this  time  the  opportunity  had  not  been  given  him  to  attend  school 
but  a  few  months,  and  having  a  desire  to  obtain  a  greater  knowl- 
edge of  his  mother  tongue,  he  was  sent  to  the  Frankfort  Seminary, 
then   under   the  superintendency   of  Keene  O'Hara,  an  eminent 
scholar  and  strict  disciplinarian,  whose  reputation  as  an  instructor 
of  youth  had  extended  throughout  the  State.     Here  he  remained 
about  four  years,  obtaining  such  education  as  was  thought  at  that 
time  to  be  necessary  to  enable  one  to  make  his  way  in  the  world. 
In  1822,    he   received   the   appointment  of   Deputy   Postmas- 
ter, under  James  W.  Hawkins,  Postmaster  of  the  city  of  Frank- 
fort,  and  as   noble  a  man  as  ever  lived.     With  Mr.  H.  he  re- 
mained five  years  and  a  half,  when,  thinking  he  could  better  his 
fortune,  he  resigned  his  position  to  go  to  Lexington,  in  the  same 
State.     A  few  days  after  he  arrived  at  the  latter  place,  he  received 
a  mail  bag,  which,  on  opening  he  discovered   an    entire   suit   of 
broad-cloth  clothes,  and  a  note  informing  him  that  they  were  a 
present  from  his  friend  Mr.  Hawkins.     Not  succeeding  in  Lexing- 
ton as  he  desired,  he  returned  to  Frankfort  where  he  remained  an- 
other year,  when  in  the  spring  of  1828  he  went  with  his  father  to 
Shelby  county,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  until  the  following  win- 
ter, when  he  started  for  Galena,  in  this  State,  but  went  to  Nash- 
ville, Teun.,  where  he  spent  the  winter  and  spring  following  and 
in   August,   1829,  he   arrived   at   the   place  'of  his   destination. 
Here  he  entered  the  office  of  his  uncle,  Win.  Campbell,  who  at 
that  time  was  general  agett  of  the  government   as   receiver   of 
rents  for  the  use  of  the  lead  mines  at  that  place.     With  his  uncle  he 
only  remained  a  few  months  when  he  entered  the  office  of  Cir- 
cuit and  County  Clerk,  under   Col.   Abner   Field.     Here   he   re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1831,  when  he  received  the   appoint- 
ment of  Clerk  of  the   Circuit  Court  of  McDonough  county,  for 
which  place  he  started,  arriving  at  Macomb   the  county  seat  of 
the  newly  organized  county,  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1831,  and 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided,  enjoying  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  the  people  of  the  whole  county. 

When  Mr.  Campbell  arrived  at  Macomb,  there  was  but  one 
building  in  the  town,  that  of  John  Baker,  of  which  mention  is  made 
elsewhere.  He  at  once  erected  a  log  house  a  short  distance  south 
of  Baker's,  and  opened  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  the  first 
ever  opened  in  the  county. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  329 

Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  us  who  now  know  the  man,  he  was 
taken  for  a  Yankee  by  the  few  people  living  in  the  vicinity,  and 
who  were  principally,  if  not  wholly  from  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
and  who  hated  a  Yankee  worse  than  a  rattlesnake.  At  this  time 
the  office  of  clerk  of  the  County  Commissioner's  Court  was  va- 
cant and  it  was  found  impossible  to  find  a  man  who  would  dis- 
charge the  duties  and  was  capable  of  filling  the  office.  The  name 
of  Mr.  Campbell  was  suggested,  when  one  of  the  commissioners 
swore  no  Yankee  should  ever  hold  the  office  with  his  consent. 
Assurance  was  given  by  Mr.  Campbell  that  he  did  not  belong  to 
this  much  detested  race,  when  he  received  the  appointment  and 
held  the  office  for  fifteen  years. 

In  addition  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  Circuit  and  County 
Court,  Mr.  Campbell  received  the  appointment  from  Governor 
Reynolds  of  County  Recorder,  Xotary  Public,  and  Judge  of  Pro- 
bate, the  latter  two  of  which  he  resigned  after  a  short  time. 

Heretofore  McDonough  county  had  been  without  a  postoffice, 
the  people  of  the  entire  county  receiving  their  mail  at  Rushville, 
Schuyler  county.  Arrangements  were  at  once  made  by  Mr.  C.  to 
have  the  mail  belonging  to  citizens  of  the  county  brought  from 
Rushville  to  Macomb  and  delivered  in  his  care,  he  assuming  the 
payment  of  the  postage,  which  at  that  time  was  seldom  paid  when 
a  letter  was  posted  and  which  was  from  six  and  a  quarter  to  twen- 
ty-five cents  on  each  letter.  On  receiving  the  letters  he  deposited 
them  in  his  hat,  and  when  inquiry  was  made  for  them,  all  that  he 
would  have  to  do  was  to  remove  his  beaver  and  examine  the  con- 
tents. In  the  spring  of  this  year  (1831)  a  petition  was  sent  to  the 
Postmaster  General  praying  the  establishment  of  a  postoffice  in 
Macomb  and  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Campbell  as  postmaster. 
On  the  first  of  December  a  commission  was  received  by  him  and 
the  office  established,  the  first  in  the  county. 

This  office  he  retained  for  fifteen  years,  save  for  about  one  quar- 
ter in  1841,  when  he  was  removed  and  Geo.  TV.  Pamron  ap- 
pointed. On  learning  of  his  removal,  Judge  Young,  who  at  this 
time  was  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate,  made  inquiries, 
and  learning  the  cause  of  it,  notified  Mr.  C.,  when  evidence  was 
taken  and  sent  on  disproving  the  charge  made  against  him,  and 
the  postmaster  general  re-instated  him. 

In  1832,  Mr.  Campbell  entered  the  service  of  the  State  under 
the  call  made  by  the  governor  for  volunteers  in  the  Black  Hawk 


330  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

war.  He  was  in  the  battalion  raised  by  Major  Bogart  in  McDon- 
ough  and  Warren  counties,  and  was  out  during  its  entire  service, 
receiving  as  pay  the  munificent  sum  of  eighty-six  cents  per  day 
for  self  and  horse.  Again,  in  1846,  he  received  the  appointment 
from  the  President  as  Commissary  of  the  3d  regiment,  Illinois 
Volunteers,  for  service  in  the  Mexican  war.  He  was  only  out 
about  three  months,  when  supposing  the  war  virtually  at  an  end, 
he  resigned  his  position  and  came  home,  soon  again  to  be  honored 
with  office  by  his  fellow  citizens,  for  in  the  following  year  we  find 
him  elected  as  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  which 
framed  the  Constitution  adopted  in  1848.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  committee  on  miscellaneous  business  in  this  convention  along 
with  Gen.  Singleton  and  others.  In  1852  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  and  served  in  that  office  four  years,  during  which 
time  he  was  a  member  of  the  finance  committee,  the  most  impor- 
tant of  the  committees. 

Mr.  Campbell  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  political  affairs, 
and  has  ever  been  outspoken  in  the  expression  of  his  views.  He 
was  a  strong  Clay  man  previous  to  1832,  at  which  time  Mr.  Clay 
made  his  celebrated  speech  against  the  pre-emption  of  public  lands 
by  actual  settlers.  This  he  could  not  stand,  and  therefore  arrayed 
himself  with  the  opposition,  who  he  thought  favored  more  the  rights 
of  the  common  people.  Since  this  time  we  find  him  an  earnest  and 
consistent  Democrat,  contending  more  for  principle  than  for  policy, 
which  at  any  special  time  might  seem  of  the  most  importance. 
Honoring  the  party,  he  has  in  turn  been  honored,  having,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  offices  mentioned  above  to  which  he  was  elected  by 
the  Democracy,  been  a  member  of  the  County  Central  Committee 
more  years  than  any  other  man.  He  has  been  a  member  of  every 
State  Convention  but  two  since  1836  ;  he  represented  the  Democ- 
racy of  the  State  twice  in  National  Convention  ;  at  Cincinnati,  in 
1856,  when  James  Buchanan  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency, 
and  in  1860,  at  Charleston  and  Baltimore,  when  Stephen  A.  Doug- 
las was  nominated.  He  has  served  as  member  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil and  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  several  terms, 
and  generally  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Campbell  has  been  twice  married  ;  the  first  time  in  August, 
1831,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clarissa  Hempstead,  in  St. 
Charles,  Mo.,  and  with  whom  he  lived  eleven  years,  she  departing 
this  life  in  1842.  In  1843  he  again  married,  this  time  to  Mrs. 


o31 

Louisa  F.  Berry,  a  daughter  of  John  Farwell,and  a  sister  of  Glad- 
den L.  Farwell,  of  Macomb.  The  fruits  of  the  first  marriage 
were  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  of  the  second,  three  sons 
and  one  daughter.  His  first  child  was  the  first  iemale  child  born 
in  the  town  of  Macomb. 

As  a  husband  and  father,  Mr.  Campbell  is  kind  and  affectionate; 
as  a  citizen,  public  spirited ;  as  a  neighbor,  he  enjoys  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  all ;  to  the  poor  he  is  ever  considerate,  and 
the  worthy  subject  of  charity  never  goes  from  his  door  empty- 
handed.  No  kinder  hearted  man  ever  lived  than  James  Morrison 
Campbell,  and  although  he  has  his  faults,  as  others,  we  do  not  be- 
lieve he  would  do  aught  to  the  willful  injury  of  any.  He  is  a  man 
of  strong,  positive  character,  and  therefore  has  made  many  strong 
friends  and  equally  strong  enemies,  the  latter  being,  so  far  as 
known,  only  political ;  personally  he  enjoys  the  esteem  of  each 
party  alike.  He  is  a  man  that  has  ever  had  the  good  of  the  city 
in  which  he  lives  at  heart,  and  has  worked  hard  and  sacrificed 
much  for  its  prosperity.  He  built  the  first  store  building  in  the 
town,  the  first  frame  building,  the  first  school  house,  and  the  first 
public  hall.  2s"ow,  in  his  old  age,  he  is  not  engaged  actively  in 
any  business,  his  entire  means  being  invested  in  public  buildings, 
from  the  rent  of  which  he  receives  an  income  sufficient  for  the 
support  of  himself  and  family.  We  could  say  much  in  reference 
to  this  man,  but  as  the  history  of  this  county,  in  a  measure,  is  a 
history  of  his  life,  and  as  frequent  mention  is  made  in  this  volume 
of  his  public  acts,  and  many  anecdotes  are  given,  we  forbear  say- 
ing more  in  this  connection. 

HON.    THOMPSON     CHANDLER. 

The  old  pioneers  of  the  county  are  fast  passing  away,  but  here 
and  there  yet  remains  one  who  labored  much  to  build  up  and 
beautify  this  noble  country  of  ours.  Few  men  have  worked  more 
earnestly  and  toiled  longer,  and  whose  efforts  have  been  better  re- 
warded, than  Judge  Chandler,  of  Macomb;  but,  theq,  the  Judge 
comes  of  a  hardy  race,  being  born  among  the  hills  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, in  the  town  ofAlstead,  October  25,  1805.  His  early  life 
was  not  unlike  thousands  of  others  who  passed  through  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  with  a  few  months  in  the  academy  completed 
their  education.  He  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  old  home- 
stead until  after  he  reached  his  majority,  thus  showing  a  filial 
affection  to  be  commended.  In  the  spring  of  18-12  he  left  his 


332  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

native  State  and  came  west  as  far  as  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained 
two  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  with  varying  success. 
On  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  thought  to  still  better  his  con- 
dition by  yet  removing  still  further  west,  and  in  that  new  country, 
lately  opened  to  immigration,  he  might  attain  that  success  in  life 
to  which  he  aspired.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1834,  he 
landed  in  Macomb,  this  county,  where  he  has  since  continued  to 
reside,  an  honored  citizen  and  an  esteemed  friend,  exhibiting  in 
his  life  those  traits  of  character  which  have  rendered  him  so  pop- 
ular among  the  people.  For  the  first  three  years  after  his  arrival 
in  .Macomb  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  in  company  with 
the  late  William  Richards,  so  well  and  favorably  known  among 
early  settlers.  His  success  in  this  business  was  as  great  as  could 
be  expected  at  that  early  day,  when  the  settlers  had  little  money 
and  raised  nearly  all  they  ate  or  wore.  Shortly  after  his  arrival 
in  Macomb  he  purchased  the  southeast  quarter,  section  86,  Emmet 
township,  and  afterward  the  entire  section,  part  of  which  he  ob- 
tained for  one  dollar  per  acre  and  the  balance  for  three  dollars. 
The  whole  of  the  southeast  quarter  is  now  covered  by  dwelling- 
houses,  from  the  humble  cottage  of  the  laboring  man  to  the  more 
palatial  residence  of  the  wealthier  class,  and  is  the  finest  part  of 
the  city  of  Macomb.  From  1837  to  the  present  time,  a  period  of 
forty  years,  Mr.  Chandler  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  save  a 
period  of  one  year  while  in  California.  In  1849,  with  many 
others,  he  took  up  his  line  of  march  to  the  new  Eldorado,  where 
he  engaged  for  one  year  in  mining  and  trading,  having  fair  suc- 
cess in  either  operation,  but  experiencing  enough  of  the  hardships 
of  the  country  in  that  time.  On  his  return  he  again  engaged  in 
his  regular  calling,  which,  as  remarked,  he  has  followed  to  the 
present  time.  In  addition  to  the  regular  work  of  the  farm,  he 
has  for  many  years  been  engaged  in  raising  stock,  and  was  prob- 
ably the  first  in  the  county  to  take  an  interest  in  improving  the 
breed.  At  every  meeting  of  the  McDonough  County  Agricul- 
tural Association  since  its  organization,  his  herd  of  cattle  has 
attracted  considerable  attention  and  almost  every  year  he  has  taken 
one  or  more  premiums  on  his  display. 

In  politics  Mr.  Chandler  is  now  and  always  has  been  a  democrat 
of  the  old  school,  in  the  years  of  his  manhood  voting  with  and 
working  for  the  success  of  the  democratic  ticket.  However  oth- 
ers may  have  faltered  in  devotion  to  the  principles  of  the  old  party 
he  always  remained  firm,  and  through  evil  and  good  report  he 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  333 

has  labored  for  the  success  of  the  party.  Honoring  the  party,  he 
has  in  time  been  honored  by  it,  in  receiving  the  nomination  and 
election  to  various  offices  of  trust.  He  has  filled  in  a  satisfactory 
manner  the  offices  of  Trustee  of  the  town,  Alderman  of  the  city, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and 
County  Judge,  in  the  latter  office  serving  from  1853  to  1861,  a 
period  of  eight  years.  No  man  that  has  ever  occupied  the  office 
has  discharged  its  duties  in  a  more  satisfactory  manner.  While 
in  this  office  many  cases  of  importance  were  tried  before  him,  his 
decisions  usually  being  accepted  as  final  by  contesting  parties. 
As  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Alderman  or  Supervisors' 
Court,  he  brought  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  each  the  same 
unswerving  desire  to  do  right  in  all  his  public  acts,  having  the  in- 
terests of  all  his  constituents  ever  before  him,  and  laboring  earnest- 
ly and  zealously  to  promote  the  good  of  all.  His  popularity  on 
this  account  has  ever  been  great,  and  we  have  more  than  once  ob- 
served that  when  his  party  desired  an  unexceptionable  strong  man 
they  always  brought  out  Thompson  Chandler,  and  seldom  has  he 
ever  been  defeated.  Many  times  has  the  large  majorities  of  the 
opposition  been  overcome  or  reduced  to  an  insignificant  amount 
through  reason  of  his  popularity.  The  cause  of  this  will  be  men- 
tioned further  on  in  this  sketch. 

Judge  Chandler  was  married  on  the  third  day  of  February, 
1831,  to  Miss  Lucy  B.  Towne,  of  Stodard,  Xew  Hampshire. 
Four  children  have  they  been  blessed  writh — three  boys  and  one 
girl.  All  are  yet  living  save  one,  Albert  B.,  the  second  son,  who 
died  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  September,  1877,  at  the  residence  of 
his  brother,  G.  C.  Chandler,  of  Chicago.  Albert  B.  had  been  sick 
for  a  long  time  with  consumption,  brought  on,  doubtless,  by  ex- 
posure. He  was  a  hard-working,  industrious  young  man,  toiling 
early  and  late,  with  the  laudable  desire  of  adding  to  his  posses- 
sions. His  last  sickness  he  bore  with  remarkable  fortitude,  and  he 
passed  peacefully  away,  surrounded  by  those  who  gladly  would 
have  relieved  him  of  his  sufferings.  He  was  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  near  Macomb,  the  funeral  services  being  conducted  by 
Elder  G.  W.  Mapes.  Of  those  yet  living,  Solon  F.,  the  oldest,  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  near  Macomb;  Gardner  C. 
is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  hardware  trade  in  Chicago,  and  has 
been  doing  a  thriving  business;  Mary  Almeda  is  the  wife  of 
Crosby  F.  Wheat,  Esq.,  a  leading  lawyer  of  Macomb,  and  for 
some  years  County  Attorney  of  McDonough  county. 


334  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Judge  Chandler  is  rather  below  the  medium  height,  and 
although  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age  is  quite  active,  and 
in  his  younger  days  must  have  been  extremely  so.  As  a  husband 
and  father  he  is  kind  and  indulgent,  as  a  citizen  he  is  enterpris- 
ing, as  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  is  universally  respected;  few  men 
have  ever  stood  higher  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
We  have  stated  that  he  has  always  been  popular  with  the  people, 
especially  has  this  been  the  case  with  the  poorer  class,  whose 
friend  he  has  always  been.  Although  having  dealings  with  this 
class  to  a  considerable  extent,  we  have  yet  to  hear  of  the  first  case 
in  which  he  ever  oppressed  them  in  any  way — many  poor  men 
owe  their  homes  to  his  kindness  and  forbearance  in  not  prosecuting 
his  claims  against  them.  It  is  therefore  no  wonder  he  is  popular, 
and  may  he  ever  be  so. 

JAMES    CLARKE. 

The  subject  of  our  present  sketch  was  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  our  county,  and  for  years  occupied  official  positions  that 
brought  him  before  the  people  as  much  as  any  other  man  within 
its  border.  He  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky,  Septem- 
ber 26,  1797.  His  parents  were  John  and  Ann  (Whitten)  Clarke, 
the  father  being  a  soldier  of  the  revolutionary  war.  They  were 
in  very  moderate  circumstances,  and  when  James  was  but  a  babe 
removed  to  Washington  county,  in  the  same  State,  engaging  in 
the  occupation  of  farming,  their  son  assisting  them  as  soon  as  he 
arrived  at  an  age  when  he  could  be  of  service,  remaining  at  home 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  to  learn  the  trade  of  hat- 
ter, which  trade  he  followed  for  some  years.  A  few  months  at- 
tendance in  the  common  schools  was  all  the  educational  advantages 
that  he  ever  enjoyed,  but  that  little  he  made  the  best  of  in  after 
life.  The  same  general  traits  of  character  for  which  he  was  noted 
when  more  adranced  in  life  was  .observable  in  youth.  He  was  a 
quiet,  steady  and  industrious  boy,  never  engaging  in  any  of  the 
rude  sports  of  the  time,  and  of  good  moral  habits. 

On  the  twenty-first  day  of  May,  1818,  a  few  months  before  reach- 
ing his  majority,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Lewis,  in  Wash- 
ington county,  Kentucky,  with  whom  he  lived  happily  a  period  of 
fifty-eight  years,  or  until  death  called  him  away.  Eleven  children 
were  born  unto  them,  eight  sons  and  three  daughters,  the  latter, 
with  one  son,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  yet  dwelling  upon  this  side 
the  river,  the  rest  having  passed  over. 


HISTORY  OF  M'OONOUGH  COUNTY.  335. 

Realizing  the  almost  utter  impossibility  of  the  poor  ever  becom- 
ing rich,  or  even  obtaining  a  respectable  living  in  the  old  states, 
especially  the  slave  states,  Mr.  Clarke  determined  on  emigrating 
to  Illinois,  and  in  the  year  1829,  with  his  family,  removed  to  Mor- 
gan county,  in  this  State,  where  they  remained  but  one  year,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1830  came  to  this  county.  When  he  arrived  here 
he  found  but  few  families,  and  only  scattered  settlements  here  and 
there.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the  present  city  of  Macomb, 
where  he  settled,  there  were  but  two  families,  Elias  McFadden, 
then  living  on  the  Hunter  farm,  south  of  town,  and  John  Baker, 
living  near  where  the  Fourth  Ward  school  house  now  stands.  The 
county  was  without  organization,  all  local  business  being  trans- 
acted in  Schuyler  county,  and  the  nearest  postoffice  being  in 
Rushville,  of  the  same  county.  In  the  summer  after  his  arrival 
steps  were  taken  to  organize  the  county,  Mr.  Clarke  being  very 
active  in  the  matter.  In  the  first  election  he  was  elected  one  of 
the  three  County  Commissioners,  and  was  re-elected  several  times, 
serving,  we  believe,  about  eight  years.  He  also  served  several 
years  as  Probate  Justice.  When  a  change  was  made  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  counties,  by  the  constitution  of  1848,  he  was  elected 
County  Judge,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years.  He  was  also 
a  member  of  the  first  city  council  of  Macomb,, and  for  years  was 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  county.  In  the  discharge  of  his 
official  duties  he  endavored  to  render  satisfaction  to  all,  and  was 
always  popular  with  the  people.  As  Mr.  Clarke  is  frequently 
mentioned  in  this  work  in  connection  with  his  public  work,  it  is 
needless  to  say  more  in  this  place. 

DAVID    CLARKE. 

David  Clarke,  the  son  ot  John  and  Ann  (Whitten)  Clarke,  was 
born  on  the  28th  day  of  September,  1799,  in  Washington  County 
Ivy.  Here  he  resided  with  his  parents  until  after  he  reached  his 
majority.  At  four  years  of  age  he  was  sent  to  one  of  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  county,  and  continued  going  at 
intervals  until  he  was  eight,  when  he  was  put  to  work  upon 
the  farm  by  his  parents,  who  were  in  only  moderate  circum- 
stances, and  here  was  kept  at  hard  labor  until  he  reached  his  ma- 
jority. At  sixteen  he  was  permitted  to  attend  school  three 
weeks,  which  finished  his  education.  When  he  reached  his 
majority  he  placed  himself  under  the  instruction  of  a  music 
teacher  for  some  mouths,  acquiring  a  pretty  thorough  knowl- 


336  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

edge  of  the  science  of  music,  as  taught  in  that  day.  As  soon 
as  he  finished  his  course,  he  adopted  the  teaching  of  music 
as  a  profession,  and  for  three  years  he  traveled  constantly  through 
the  State  engaged  in  that  work.  In  early  life  he  connected  him- 
self with  the  Baptist  Church,  and  when  only  twenty-two  years  of 
age  compiled  a  hymn  book  which  he  denominated  "Clarke's 
Hymns."  This  book  was  adopted  by  the  Baptists  and  several 
other  denominations  in  Kentucky,  and  continued  in  use  for  many 
years.  Two  large  editions  were  issued  and  speedily  sold.  Many 
copies  are  yet  in  existence,  and  held  as  precious  heirlooms  by 
their  possessors. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  November,  1325,  he  was  married 
to  Eliza  Swink  Russell,  daughter  of  Samuel  Russell,  in  Green 
county,  Kentucky.  Samuel  Russell  was  well  known  as  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  this  county.  Twelve  children  were  born  unto  them, 
four  only  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz  :  Margaret  M.,  wife  of 
Corydon  C.  Chapman,  Christopher  Columbus,  Samuel  James,  and 
Annie  E.,  wife  of  Sidney  S.  Chapman. 

In  the  fall  of  1830  he  removed  with  his  family  to  this  county, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  being  well  known  to  nearly  every  citi- 
zen, especially  the  older  settlers.  For  many  years  in  the  early  day 
he  run  a  " tavern,"  which  at  that  time  was  more  of  a  public  resort 
than  the  "hotel"  of  to-day.  Here  the  people  for  miles  around 
assembled  to  discuss  the  news  of  the  time  and  to  indulge  in  drink 
For  four  years  he  was  town  constable^  and  eight  years  a  justice  of 
the  peace.  During  the  first  four  years  he  was  justice  he  tried 
over  nine  hundred  cases,  a  very  large  docket  at  that  time.  He 
was  ever  ready  to  render  a  decision,  and  as  soon  as  a  case  on  trial 
was  finished,  his  judgment  was  rendered  and  recorded  in  his 
docket.  Of  all  the  cases  appealed  from  his  decision  to  the  Circuit 
Court,  he  never  had  a  judgment  reversed.  Few  justices  transact- 
ing the  amount  of  business  done  by  him  can  say  as  much. 

David  Clarke  is  full  six  feet  in  height,  well  built,  and  has  an 
excellent  constitution.  He  is  also  a  man  of  iron  will— one  that 
cannot  be  swerved  from  that  he  considers  right.  When  he  de- 
clares his  intention  of  doing  anything,  if  in  the  range  of  possibil- 
ities, it  will  be  done.  In  the  early  part  of  1841,  while  under  the 
influence  of  intoxicating  drinks,  a  habit  which,  unfortunately,  had 
had  grown  on  him  previous  to  that  time,  he  injured  himself 
somewhat  by  a  fall,  when  he  vowed  that  he  would  never  drink 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  337 

another  drop,  which  vow  he  has  ever  kept  inviolate  from  that  day 
to  this,  not  even  having  partaken  of  a  glass  of  lemonade — a  glass 
of  cider  he  would  no  more  take  than  so  much  deadly  poison.  He 
is  a  radical  temperance  man,  and  not  ashamed  to  own  the  fact. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  acted  as  Deputy  Grand  Worthy 
Patriarch  for  the  State  at  large,  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and 
has  instituted  a  goodly  number  of  divisions.  In  consequence  of 
advanced  age  he  does  not  now  take  that  active  part  in  the  work 
as  formerly,  but  his  heart  yet  goes  out  in  sympathy  with  every 
movement  for  the  success  of  the  temperance  cause. 

CHARLES    CHANDLER. 

History  has  long  since  established  the  fact  that  our  best  and 
greatest  men  are  by  no  means  confined  to  the  ranks  of  those  en- 
nobled by  birth,  or  surrounded  from  childhood  with  every  facility 
for  education  or  moral  and  social  culture.  The  finest  natures  are, 
indisputably,  those  who  override  with  their  latent  force  and  mental 
power  every  obstacle,  and  aim,  by  virtue  of  their  indomitable  wills, 
to  attain  that  honorable  precedence  among  men,  that,  if  conferred 
solely  by  the  accident  of  birth,  is  far  less  the  merit  than  the  good 
fortune  of  its  possessor.  Charles  Chandler,  though  descending 
from  an  illustrious  family  on  both  his  father's  and  mother's  side, 
has  the  pleasure  of  ascribing  whatever  good  fortune  that  has  been 
bestowed  upon  him,  not  by  inheritance,  but  from  his  own  personal 
exertions,  the  exercise  of  his  own  indomitable  will.  Coming  to 
the  county  at  an  early  day,  and  with  very  little  means,  he  seized 
upon  every  favorable  chance  for  the  accumulation  of  wealth. 

Charles  Chandler  was  born  in  Alstead,  ST.  H.,  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  August,  1809.  His  parents  were  James  and  Abigail 
(Vilas)  Chandler,  the  former  being  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and 
the  latter  of  Massachusetts.  Mrs.  Chandler  died  the  twenty-ninth 
of  November,  1854,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  and  three  years  after, 
viz,on  the  eighteenth  of  November,  1857,  Mr.  Chandler  departed  this 
life,  aged  eighty-six  years.  The  early  life  of  Charles  was  spent  with 
his  parents  upon  the  farm  and  in  attendance  upon  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  State,  the  only  institution  of  learning  that  he 
was  ever  permitted  to  attend.  AVhen  nineteen  years  of  age  he 
was  permitted  by  his  parents  to  go  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  that 
he  might  enter  a  mercantile  establishment,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  becoming  quite  proficient  in  the  sale  of  goods.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  this  time  he  returned  to  the  farm,  and  remained  there 


338  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

one  year,  when  he  conceived  the  idea  of  coming  West ;  accordingly 
he  came  as  far  as  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  from 
thence  he  came  to  Macomb,  in  this  county,  arriving  in  the  spring 
of  1834.  Those  familiar  with  the  county  at  that  date  will  remember 
the  town  of  Macomb  contained  about  two  hundred  inhabitants,  that 
three  or  four  stores  did  all  the  business  of  the  place,  and  that 
there  were  no  farms  upon  the  prairie  at  all,  it  being  regarded  as 
so  much  waste  land.  A  brother  of  Mr.  Chandler  (Hon.  Thomp- 
son Chandler)  had  preceeded  him  a  few  months,  and  was  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  trade  in  company  with  Mr.  William  Richards, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Richards  &  Chandler.  Mr.  Chandler  en- 
gaged with  them  as  a  clerk,  continuing  that  relation  for  two 
years,  a  part  of  the  time  being  with  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Simpson 
&  Miller.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  into  business 
for  himself  as  a  merchant,  but  only  continued  one  year,  when  he 
sold  out  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  some  years  with  great  success.  In  1845,  in  company 
with  Jonathan  H.  Baker,  he  again  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
trade,  which  relation  was  continued  some  two  or  three  years,  the 
firm  doing  a  large  and  profitable  business,  on  the  old  Campbell 
corner,  Macomb.  When  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  this  estab- 
lishment he  remained  out  of  any  regular  business  for  a  year  or 
two,  when  he  again  embarked  in  the  real  estate  trade.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  about  this  time  land  was  very  cheap,  the  best 
improved  in  the  county  not  bringing  more  than  five  dollars  per 
acre.  Although  Mr.  Chandler  probably  did  not  then  dream  of 
the  county  securing  a  railroad,  with  all  its  great  advantages,  he 
yet  saw  in  the  rich  soil  and  fair  climate  of  the  Military  Tract  an 
inducement  to  settlement  which  in  time  would  be  seen  and  real, 
ized  by  all ;  therefore  he  did  not  fear  to  invest  his  means  in  the 
purchase  of  every  quarter  that  he  could  obtain.  He  well  knew 
that  in  time  the  land  would  bring  a  high  price  in  the  market. 
That  he  was  wise  in  this  conclusion  is  proven  by  the  result. 
When  the  great  Northern  Cross,  now  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  railroad,  was  built,  land  advanced  at  a  rapid  rate,  settlers 
came  into  the  country  in  great  numbers,  and  his  fortune  was 
made.  When  the  T.,  P  &  W.  railroad  was  built  it  found  Mr. 
Chandler  the  possessor  of  the  greater  part  of  Sciota  township, 
and  the  rise  in  the  value  benefited  him  thousands  of  dollars.  It 
cannot  be  said  this  gain  was  the  result  of  luck.  Far  from  it.  It 
was  the  result  of  the  far-sightedness  of  the  man.  Others  had  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  839 

same  opportunities  and  the  means  to  purchase  all  that  Mr.  Chand- 
ler secured,  but  they  reached  forth  no  hand  to  secure  the  prize. 
His  eyes  were  open  to  the  main  chance  and  he  improved  it.  In 
all  his  real  estate  operations  Mr.  Chandler  was  eminently  success- 
ful. Xo  man  was  better  adapted  to  the  business.  While  engaged 
in  this  line  of  trade  he  got  up  a  set  of  records  to  facilitate  trans- 
actions in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  lands,  which  were  of  great 
service. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  December,  1836,  Mr.  Chandler  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  K.  Cheatham,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel G.  Cheatham,  Esq.  Seven  children  were  born  unto  them, 
three  only  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  rest,  with  the  loved  mother, 
passing  on  to  the  other  side  of  the  great  river.  Mrs.  Chandler  de- 
parted this  life  September,  1866,  her  loss  being  deeply  felt  by  the 
husband  and  motherless  children  and  by  the  entire  community 
where  she  had  resided,  and  endeared  herself  to  so  many  hearts.  She 
was  a  most  exemplary  member  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  in  Ma- 
comb,  showing  forth  in  her  life  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,  which  are 
love,  joy,  peace,  long  suffering,  gentleness,  and  brotherly  kind- 
ness. She  died  fully  trusting  in  the  promises  of  the  Lord,  and  in 
the  sweet  bye-and-bye  she  now  awaits  the  coming  of  other  loved 
ones. 

Of  the  children  living,  Martha  Abagail  Chandler,  the  eldest,  is 
now  the  wife  of  Henry  C.  Twyman,  Esq.,  a  leading  merchant  of 
Macomb,  and  resides  in  that  city.  Charles  Yilasco  Chandler,  the 
second  child,  was  born  January  25,  1843.  He  is  now  assistant 
cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  a  leading  business  man  of 
Macomb,  and  has  held  the  office  of  City  Treasurer  for  some  years, 
and  was  two  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the 
county.  He  was  in  the  army  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion, 
and  was  Adjutant  of  the  78th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers. 
James  Edgar  Chandler  was  born  March  20,  1850;  is  now  assist- 
ant cashier  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  of  Bushnell,  and  one 
of  the  leading  business  men  of  that  city,  and  has  held  several 
city  offices. 

When  the  old  Whig  party  was  in  existence,  Mr.  Chandler  gave 
it  allegiance,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  he 
embraced  its  principles,  and  to  the  present  time  he  has  strenuously 
advocated  them.  During  the  war  he  took  an  active  part  in  secur- 
ing enlistments  and  sending  men  into  the  field,  being  incapacitated 


340  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

on  account  of  age  and  bodily  health  from  going  himself  to  the 
front.  For  the  services  rendered,  Governor  Yates  commissioned 
him  as  Colonel  of  State  Militia,  with  power  to  raise  a  regiment  for 
home  service. 

Although  never  aspiring  to  public  office,  and  the  nature  of  his 
business  being  such  as  to  incapacitate  him  for  active  political  life, 
Mr.  Chandler  has  frequently  b,een  honored  by  his  party  and  friends 
with  office,  having  served  the  county  as  Coroner  for  two  years, 
and  as  County  School  Commissioner  for  four  years.  In  the  city 
of  Macomb  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years,  Alderman 
two  years,  and  Mayor  of  city  one  term.  In  each  position  he  dis- 
charged its  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents,  bringing 
to  bear  upon  every  part  of  the  work  the  same  careful  management 
that  characterized  him  in  the  transaction  of  his  own  private  busi- 
ness. If,  in  the  management  of  his  own  affairs  he  never  took  a 
leap  in  the  dark,  and  always  knew  almost  to  a  certainty  the  result 
of  an  investment ;  if  he  was  a  close  calculator  and  studied  economy 
in  his  own  business,  he  likewise  was  governed  by  these  same  prin- 
ciples in  public  affairs.  No  man  in  McDonough  county  would  be 
more  implicitly  trusted  in  the  management  of  its  business- than 
Charles  Chandler. 

In  1858  Mr.  Chandler  embarked  in  the  banking  business  in 
Macomb,  and  has  continued  in  it  to  the  present  day.  At  this 
time,  it  will  be  remembered,  many  failures  of  bankers  and  other 
business  men  were  occurring  all  over  the  country,  yet  notwith- 
standing, the  people  of  the  county  reposed  in  him  unbounded 
confidence  and  trusted  him  implicitly,  depositing  with  him  their 
means  without  fear  that  their  trust  would  be  betrayed.  Hard 
times  continued  until  the  second  year  of  the  war.  In  1861  the 
country  was  drained  of  its  silver  as  well  as  of  its  gold,  and  suffi- 
cient change  for  the  transaction  of  business  could  not  be  obtained. 
At  this  juncture  Mr.  Chandler  issued  several  thousand  dollars  of 
"scrip"  of  the  denomination  of  five,  ten,  twenty-five,  and  fifty 
cents  each,  which  were  readily  received  by  the  people  everywhere, 
and- we  doubt  not  that  to-day  there  is  a  small  quantity  of  this  cur- 
rency scattered  throughout  the  country  and  held  as  a  souvenir  of 
the  war.  As  a  private  banker  Mr.  Chandler  continued  until  1865, 
when  a  charter  was  obtained  and  a  company  formed  for  the  or- 
ganization of  a  National  -Bank.  At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders 
he  was  unanimously  elected  its  president,  which  position  he  yet 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  341 

retains.  Through  careful  and  judicious  management  the  bank 
has  become  one  of  the  strongest  in  the  State  in  proportion  to  the 
capital  invested.  During  this  same  year  of  the  organization  of 
the  First  Xatioual  Bank  of  Macomb,  Mr.  Chandler,  in  company 
with.  John  B.  Cummings,  started  a  banking  house  in  Bushnell 
under  the  firm  name  of  Chandler  &  Cummings.  As  a  private 
bank  this  institution  was  continued  until  1870,  when  it  was  organ- 
ized as  the  Farmers'  Xational  Bank,  Mr.  Chandler  becoming  one 
of  the  largest  stockholders  and  one  of  its  directors.  This  house 
likewise  maintains  an  excellent  reputation. 

For  some  years  the  health  of  Mr.  Chandler  has  not  been  good 
which  has  necessitated  his  spending  considerable  time  in  travel. 
He  has  spent  several  winters  in  the  Southern  States,  especially  in 
Florida,  and  made  trips  to  South  America,  Central  America, 
"West  India  Islands,  California,  Mexico,  and  other  places,  and  as 
might  be  expected  has  seen  many  of  the  wonders  of  the  world. 
Even  when  away  for  health  or  pleasure,  he  has  had  his  eyes  open 
to  the  main  chance  and  made  some  fortunate  ventures. 

A  word  in  regard  to  the  man.  If  we  were  writing  for  the  pre- 
sent generation  alone  this  would  be  unnecessary,  as  he  is  too  well 
known  by  every  citizen  of  the  county.  But  we  write  for  the  fu- 
ture, for  those  who  live  after  us,  and  therefore  it  becomes  necessa- 
ry to  speak  of  the  inner  life  of  those  of  whom  we  write,  as  well 
as  of  their  public  acts,  describing  each  as  they  exist,  that  those 
who  read  of  them  may  know  the  men  that  were  instrumental  in 
the  organization  and  material  prosperity  of  our  county.  Charles 
Chandler  is  about  five  feet  six  inches  in  height,  and  weighs  about 
one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds.  In  personal  appearance  he  is  [a 
model  of  neatness,  a  face  smoothly  shaven  and  wearing  apparel 
always  in  good  taste.  In  the  family  circle  he  was  always  kind 
and  indulgent  to  his  children  and  grand  children,  treating  them 
with  a  tenderness  that  begot  love  in  their  hearts.  In  public 
he  pursues  the  same  course,  treating  all  with  kind  consideration. 
If  approached  for  a  favor  he  never  rudely  repulses  if  he  cannot 
grant  the  request,  but  simply  refuses  in  a  manner  that  does, 
not  lower  the  dignity  of  the  one  asking  it.  To  one  that  he 
considers  worthy,  he  will  assist  with  pleasure;  therefore  it  is  not 
to  be  wondered  that  he  has  many  strong  friends  and  few  enemies. 


342  HISTORY    OF    M'DONOU(5H    COUNTY. 

JOHN    M.    CRABB. 

The  "Crabb  settlement,"  five  miles  northeast  of  Macomb,  is  well 
known  to  every  citizen  of  the  county,  and  the  members  of  the 
family  comprising  it,  from  whom  it  was  named,  are  each  pleasant 
and  agreeable  men,  good  citizens,  enjoying  the  unqualified  respect 
of  all.  John  M.  Crabb,  the  father  of  those  bearing  that  name  in 
the  settlement,  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Virginia, 
September  1,  1792  ;  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Frances  (Middleton) 
Crabb,  who  were  both  natives  of  England,  but  who  came  to  this 
country  prior  to  the  revolutionary  war.  Mrs.  Crabb  was  a  sister 
of  Arthur  Middleton,  one  of  the  signers  0f  the  immortal  declara- 
tion of  independence,  an  instrument  which  brought  freedom  to 
three  millions  of  people  then  living,  and  which  has  been  kept  in- 
tact until  we  now  number  over  forty  millions  of  beings,  free  in 
every  sense  of  the  word.  To  sign  that  instrument  required  not 
only  patriotism,  but  courage  of  a  high  order,  and  this  patriotism 
and  this  conrage  we  believe  has  been  transmitted  to  all  the  lineal 

O 

descendants  of  the  family. 

John  M.,  of  whom  we  now  write,  was  left  an  orphan  at  a  very 
early  age,  his  mother  dying  when  he  was  but  two  years  old,  and 
his  father  some  four  years  after.  Thus,  at  the  age  of  six,  he  was 
bereft  of  kind  parents,  the  kind  love  of  whom  he  never  experienced. 

On  the  death  of  his  father,  he  was  taken  by  an  uncle,  Samuel 
•Crabb,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
•of  1812.  This  uncle  endeavored  to  do  his  whole  duty  by  his  lone- 
ly nephew,  and  doubtless  succeeded  as  well  as  any  but  a  parent 
•could  succeed.  His  memory  was  always  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance by  John. 

In  that  early  day  the  school  facilities  of  the  country  were  very 
limited,  and  unless  possessed  of  great  wealth,  few  could  obtain  an 
•education  such  as  is  now  required  of  the  youth  of  our  land.  Mr. 
Crabb,  therefore,  was  only  instructed  in  those  branches  taught  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  State,  but  the  will,  power  and 
determination  to  do  of  the  man  availed  him  much  instead. 

When  war  with  Great  Britain  was  proclaimed  in  1812,  Mr. 
Crabb,  then  in  his  twentieth  year,  was  among  the  first  to  enlist. 
He  served  his  country  faithfully  as  a  private  soldier  for  two  years, 
proving  that  he  came  from  good  old  revolutionary  stock.  For  that 
service  he  received  eight  dollars  per  month  and  a  land  warrant  at 
the  close  of  the  war. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOCGH  COUNTY.  343 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  Fleming  by  whom  he  had  ten 
children,  five  sons,  and  five  daughters,  eight^of  whom  remain  up- 
on this  side  of  the  river  of  death,  two,  one  son  and  one  daughter, 
having  passed  on  to  the  beautiful  land  beyond  the  grave.  The 
mother,  too,  in  April,  1851,  joined  the  immortal  throng  above, 
dying  in  the  full  assurance  of  faith,  having  been  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  from  the  time  she  was  fif- 
teen years  of  age  until  the  day  of  her  death,  a  period  of  39  year?. 
"Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord,  yea,  and  from  hence- 
forth they  shall  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow 
them."  The  memory  of  this  excellent  woman  is  revered  by  all 
who  knew  her,  especially  do  her  children  recall  the  kind  and 
loving  ways  of  that  mother,  who,  in  matters  of  discipline,  was  so 
different  from  the  father,  and  who  always  conquered  their  stub- 
born wills  by  the  power  of  love,  gently  persuading  where  they 
could  not  be  driven.  O,  the  power  of  a  mother's  love,  nothing 
can  equal  it,  save  the  Savior's  dying  love  as  shown  upon  the  cross. 

In  1828  Mr.  Crabb  with  his  family,  then  consisting  of  a  wife 
and  six  children,  moved  from  Virginia  to  Montgomery  county, 
Ohio,  thinking  to  better  his  fortunes  in  a  newer  country.  Here 
they  only  remained  one  year,  when  a  change  was  made  to  Clin- 
ton county  in  the  same  State,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until 
the  fall  of  1836,  when  another  change  was  made,  this  time  to  the 
regions  of  McDouough  county,  where  they  arrived  on  the  four- 
teenth of  Xovember,  1837.  For  a  few  weeks  they  lived  in  the 
village  of  Macomb,  when,  leasing  the  east  half  of  section  16, 
Macomb  towhship,  the  family  moved  on  this  as  soon  as  a  house 
could  be  provided.  The  following  spring,  buying  eighty  acres  of 
the  same  section,  Mr.  Crabb,  with  his  *boys,  began  tc  till  the  soil, 
which  for  forty-owe  years  has  continued  to  yield  bountiful  har- 
vests. Xo  other  business  did  he  ever  follow  than  that  of  tiller  of 
the  soil,  an  occupation  suited  to  his  nature.  Although  he  did  not 
amass  wealth,  as  did  many,  he  added  to  his  possessions  from  time 
until  he  had  acquired  sufficient  means  to  render  him  comfortable 
while  life  should  last.  Up  to  his  fifty-fourth  year  he  continued 
to  labor  hard,  after  which  time  he  surrendered  the  laborious  part 
of  the  work  to  his  sons,  who  had  grown  up  around  him  and  who 
physically  were  able  to  endure  the  burdens  and  hardships  of  a 
farmer's  life.  AVhen  he  first  settled  on  his  place  Abner  "\Valker 
was  the  only  neighbor  he  had,  he  living  then,  about  one  mile  east. 
The  fever  and  ague  was  very  common  in  the  country  at  that 


344  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

time  and  the  family  all  enjoyed  a  touch  of  it.  We  have  remarked 
that  Abner  Walker  was  the  only  neighbor.  A\re  might  qualify  it 
by  saying  human  neighbor,  for  all  around  him  were  prairie 
wolves  in  great  numbers,  so  bold  they  would  come  to  his  very 
doors  and  from  the  yard  kill  the  fowls  which  he  had  provided. 
The  annual  prairie  tires  were  then  very  destructive  and  great  care 
had  to  be  exercised  to  prevent  their  crops  and  even  buildings  from 
being  destroyed.  Mr.  Crabb,  long  before  the  grass  would  begin 
to  dry,  would  have  his  entire  fields  plowed  around  to  prevent  the 
spread  of  the  fire  when  it  should  come.  In  this  way  he  saved 
himself  from  loss  by  prairie  fires. 

John  M.  Crabb  was  a  man  about  five  feet  eleven  inches  in  height, 
weighing  one  hundred  and  sixty  five  pounds,  cleanly  shaven  face, 
save  for  a  short  time  before  his  death,  when  he  suffered  his  beard 
to  grow  around  his  throat.     He  wras  possessed  of  great  firmness  of 
character,  and  with  his  children  his  word  was  law ;  when  he  com- 
manded,  obey  they  must.     He   was   very   fond  of  amusements, 
especially  out  door  kind,  yet  never  carried  his  love  of  the  ridicu- 
lous to  excess.     He  believed  there  was  a  time  and  place  for  every- 
thing, and  nothing  approaching  levity  should  be  permitted  where 
sobriety  should  be  the  rule.     He  always  attended  to  his  own  busi- 
ness in  his  own  way,  neither  asking  or  caring  whether  he  suited 
others  or  not,  though  never  doing  that  which  would  seem  to  be 
done  intentionally  to  wound  the  feelings  of  another.     For  many 
years  he  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which 
body  his  wife  was  likewise  connected,  having  united  while  a  citi- 
zen of  Montgomery  county,  Ohio.     The  last  congregation  with 
which  he  was  connected  was  the  one  in  Bardolph,  this  county. 
Mr.  Crabb  departed  this  life  on  the  tenth  day  of  November,  1865, 
being  at  the  time  seventy-three  years,  two  months,  and  nine  days 
old.     He  died  at  the  old  homestead,  surrounded  by  his  children, 
all  of  whom  had  reached  man   and  woman's  estate ;  all  of  whom 
were  married,  save  one.     Calling  them  around  him,  and  speaking 
of  his  grand  children  he  said,  "  Bring  them  up  right."     These 
were  the  last  words  he  ever  uttered,  showing  his  great  concern  for 
the  temporal  welfare  of  each.     He  then  passed  peacefully  away, 
joining  his  loved  companion,  who  fourteen  years  previously  had 
been  taken  from  him,  and,  together  with  the  glorified  throng,  sing 
the  song  of  redemption  on  the   evergreen  shore.     Rev.  John  Mc- 
Ginnis,  a  former  pastor,  who  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  345 

preached  the  funeral  sermon,  and  he  was  laid  quietly  away  in  the 
home  burial  ground  beside  the  bodies  of  other  loved  ones. 

DANIEL    M.    CRABB. 

Daniel  M.  Crabb,  the  eldest  son  of  John  M.  and  Ann  Crabb, 
was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of 
November,  1823,  and  when  five  years  old  removed  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Ohio,  from  which  place  they  came  to  McDonough  county, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  thirteenth  birth  day  of  the  subject  of 
our  present  sketch.  From  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  been  a 
citizen  of  this  county,  living  in  the  well  known  Crabb  Settlement, 
in  Macomb  township.  His  entire  life  has  been  that  of  a  farmer, 
having  never  engaged  in  any  other  occupation. 

Previous  to  his  arrival  in  Macomb  he  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Ohio,  and  after  his  arrival  in  this  county,  went  for  a 
short  time  to  the  old  "Prairie  school,"  near  the  present  residence 
of  Pat.  Laughliu,  Esq.,  three  miles  north  of  Macomb,  and  about 
the  same  distance  from  his  fathers  residence. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  March,  1850,  Mr.  Crabb,  was  married  to 
Miss  Rebecca  K.  Hampton,  with  whom  he  lived  ten  years,  she  dy- 
ing in  1860.  Mr.  Crabb  was  again  married  on  the  sixth  day  of 
March,  180^,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Bards,  with  whom  he  yet  happily 
lives.  Three  children  blessed  the  former  union,  and  one  the  pre- 
sent, all  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

About  the  year  1841,  Mr.  Crabb  made  a  profession  of  religion 
and  united  with  the  M.  E.  Church.  In  1871,  he  changed  his 
church  relations  by  uniting  with  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
at  present  located  in  the  city  Macomb,  his  wife  also  uniting  with 
that  congregation,  though  she  had  for  several  years  been  a  de- 
voted member  of  that  zealous  body  of  Christian  people.  Mr.  C. 
now  occupies  the  position  of  Trustee  in  that  church. 

Daniel  M.  Crabb  is  a  little  below  medium  height,  but  well  and 
strongly  built,  black  hair  and  beard,  dark  complexion,  strong  will 
and  quick  temper,  which  he  has  well  under  control.  In  the  family 
circle,  he  is  very  pleasant  and  agreeable  and  neighborly  with  all. 
]S"o  man  in  his  neighborhood  is  esteemed  more  highly,  and  is  ex- 
pected to  lead  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  neigh- 
borhood and  township. 

j.  B.  CUMMIXGS. 

Among  the  representative  men  of  McDonongh  county,  the  sub- 
ject of  our  present  sketch  stands  prominently.  His  parents  were 


346  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

James  and  Rachel  (Hall)  Cummings,  natives,  we  believe,  of  the 
State  of  Maryland,  where  in  Cecil  county,  of  that  State,  was  born 
John  B.  Cummings,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  January,  1824. 
His  early  life  was  spent  upon  a  farm,  and  in  the  private  or  select 
schools  of  his  native  State  and  Ohio,  to  which  latter  place  the 
family  removed  on  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occured  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1837.  The  family  settled .  in  Harrison 
county,  of  this  latter  State,  where  they  remained  three  years,  go- 
ing from  thence  to  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania,.  After  settling 
up  affairs,  on  the  death  of  his  father,  but  little  was  left,  and  the 
support  of  the  family  fell  upon  John  and  an  older  sister,  the  latter 
engaging  as  a  teacher,  while  John  secured  a  place  as  clerk  in  a  dry 
goods  and  grocery  store,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  some 
years,  or  until  enabled  to  go  into  business  for  himself. 

Mr.  Cummings  has  been  twice  married;  first  to  Miss  Evaline 
E.  Pearson,  in  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1847; 
second  to  Mrs.  Mary  E. 'Parkinson,  of  Macomb,  the  latter  event 
taking  place  in  1864.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  six  children  and 
one  by  his  last.  The  first  Mrs.  Cummings  died  in  Macomb  in 
1862  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 

In  1851  Mr.  Cummings  came  to  the  "Great  West,"  as  then 
called,  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Macomb,  in  this  county, 
where  he  resided  until  his  removal  to  the  city  of  Bushnell  in 
1865.  Shortly  after  coming  to  Macomb,  in  company  with  Mr. 
John  B.  Pearson,  he  purchased  the  stock  and  good  will  of  Messrs. 
Randolph  &  Parkinson  in  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  trade,  con- 
tinuing the  same,  with  some  changes,  until  1857,  when  he  retired 
from  the  firm  that  he  might  accept  the  position  of  clerk  in  the 
newly  established  banking  house  of  Charles  Chandler  &  Co., 
which  position  he  retained  until  his  election  lo  the  office  of  Clerk 
of  the  Circuit  Court  of  McDonough  county  in  1860.  At  this  elec- 
tion he  ran  for  the  office  against  William  T.  Head,  one  of  the 
most  popular  men  in  the  county,  receiving  a  small  majority,  not- 
withstanding the  county  had  never  previously  given  a  majority 
in  favor  of  the  party  to  which  Mr.  C.  belonged.  Mr.  Head  not 
content  with  the  result,  contested  the  election,  but  the  court, 
before  whom  the  case  was  tried,  decided  in  Mr.  Cummings'  favor. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  removed  to  Bushnell, 
and  in  company  wTith  Charles  Chandler,  started  a  private  banking 
house  under  the  firm  name  of  Chandler  &  Cummings.  Mr.  Chand- 

O 

ler  residing  in  Macomb  and  being  engaged  in  a  similar  enterprise, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  347 

the  business  of  the  Bushnell  firm  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Cnm- 
mings  alone.  In  1871  a  charter  was  obtained  for  a  National  Bank, 
the  firm  invested  their  means  in  the  same,  and,  together  with  other 
parties,  organized  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  with  Mr.  Cum- 
mings  as  cashier  and  general  manager,  wrhich  position  he  jet  re- 
tains. 

On  his  removal  to  Bushnell.  with  his  accustomed  zeal,  Mr.  Cum- 
mings  at  once  entered  upon  the  work  of  promoting  the  interests 
of  that  go-ahead  young  town — no  public  enterprise  but  what  se- 
cured his  hearty  and  active  co-operation.  On  the  organization  of 
the  town  as  a  city,  in  1869,  he  was  elected  its  first  Mayor,  and 
three  times  has  since  been' re-elected,  serving  his  constituents  in  a 
manner  to  secure  the  approval  of  the  great  majority. 

In  1873  he  united  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  Bushnell,  and 
shortly  after  was  elected  to  the  Superintendency  of  its  Sunday 
School,  which  position  he  yet  retains.  In  this  field  of  Christian 
labor,  he  takes  considerable  interest,  and  has  the  reputation  of 
being  a  very  capable  and  efficient  superintendent. 

John  B.  Cummings  is  a  man  about  five  feet  seven  inches  high, 
slender  proportions,  black  hair,  tinged  with  gray,  rather  thin 
beard  of  the  same  color,  a  good  mathematical  head,  and  is  a  good 
judge  of  human  nature.  As  a  financier  he  has  no  superior  in  the 
county — the  affairs  of  the  bank  with  which  he  is  connected,  and 
of  which  he  has  had  the  management  for  thirteen  years,  has  been 
carefully  and  judiciously  managed,  both  for  the  best  interests  of 
its  stockholders  and  depositors.  No  complaint,  to  our  knowledge, 
has  ever  been  made  against  him  by  stockholder  or  patron.  In 
business  hours  he  is  always  found  at  his  place  of  business,  giving 
attention  to  its  minutest  details,  and  with  a  desire  to  render  satis- 
faction to  all  who  may  favor  the  bank  with  its  patronage.  While 
Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  this  county  he  gave  the  same  gene- 
ral care  to  the  details  of  that  office.  Having  business  to  transact 
with  hundreds  throughout  the  county,  he  treated  all  in  a  way  to 
secure  their  friendship  and  good  will.  Although  beaten  for  the 
same  office  in  1864,  it  was  not  on  account  of  the  loss  of  any  per- 
sonal popularity,  but  from  causes  resulting  from  the  war.  In  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  as  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Bushnell  he  has  en- 
deavored to  be  impartial  in  all  things,  working  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  place.  In  the  expenditure  of  money,  while  he  would 
manage  all  things  economically,  he  would  not  be  niggardly  in  any 


348  HISTORY  OF  M'DONJUGH  COUNTY. 

matter.  In  the  cause  of  education  he  has  been  a  consistent  advo- 
cate of  our  public  school  system,  and  believes  in  making  the  same 
general  improvement  in  this  department  as  in  all  others.  In  the 
erection  of  the  school  building,  which  is  now  the  pride  of  Bush- 
nell,  he  took  an  especial  interest,  and  to  him  more  than  any  other 
man  is  due  the  building  of  the  same.  In  private  life  Mr.  Cum- 
mings  is  a  kind  friend  and  neighbor,  enjoying  the  respect  of  all ; 
as  a  husband  and  father,  he  is  kind  and  gentle,  inspiring  the  love 
and  confidence  of  his  entire  family. 

B.    A.    DUNCAN,  M.    D. 

Dr.  B.  A.  Duncan,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Leatha  Duncan,  is  of 
Scotch,  Irish  and  English  descent,  and  was  born  April  6,  1825,  in 
Frankfort,  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  But  little  is  known 
of  his  family,  or  of  his  early  history,  except  that  his  father  gave 
him  such  an  education  as  would  fit  him  for  the  medical  profession 
which  he  had  chosen  for  Ms  life  work.  His  preparatory  medical 
studies  were  conducted  under  the  tutorship  of  Dr.  Alexander 
McCandless,  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  from  the 
Medical  College,  in  the  same  city,  in  the  year  1845.  In  1849,  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  McDonough  county,  on  the  site  of 
the  present  village  of  Industry.  At  that  time  this  flourishing 
village  was  comparatively  a  wilderness,  wild  game  of  all  kinds 
were  abundant,  and  the  dwellings  few  and  far  between.  But  here 
was  a  good  and  favorable  opportunity  for  one  with  will  and  deter- 
mination to  secure  a  competency  for  himself  and  make  a  name 
honored  among  men.  As  the  country  grew  in  population  and  in 
wealth,  the  practice  of  Dr.  Duncan  kept  pace  with  it,  and  became 
very  extensive,  his  success  in  all  branches  of  his  profession  being 
good.  Few  physicians  had  a  larger  practice  and  none  were  more 
highly  respected  and  trusted  by  the  people.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  McDonough  county  Medical  Association 
and  in  its  meetings  took  great  interest.  For  thirty-two  years  of 
his  life,  his  whole  time  was  spent  in  study  and  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  in  the  service 
of  his  country  as  a  member  of  the  138th  regiment  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  In  this  regiment  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  A, 
Captain  McClenahan,  of  Monmouth,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  as 
Hospital  Steward. 

Dr.  Duncan  has   been  twice  married.      First,  with  Miss   Julia 
Standard,  on  the  tenth  day  of  May,  1845,  by  whom  he   had  three 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  o49 

children,  viz.,  Jonathan,  Fleetwoocl  and  Thomas,  the  first  named 
suffering  a  violent  death,  on  the  29th  of  September,  1867,  at  the 
age  of  fourteen.  Mrs.  Duncan  died  of  consumption  on  the  first 
day  of  November,  1863.  The  doctor's  second  marriage  was  on 
the  eighth  day  of  November,  1864,  with  Miss  Martha  Merrick,  who 
still  survives  him.  By  this  last  marriage  there  were  six  children 
born  unto  them,  all  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

In  1856  the  doctor  made  a  profession  of  religion,  and  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  but  for  some  reason  did  not  long 
remain  in  connection  with  that  body.  Although  his  relations  with 
the  local  congregation  was  severed,  he  never  denied  his  Master,  but 
continued  to  manifest  an  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard, and  when  professional  duties  would  admit,  was  always  pres- 
ent in  the  Lord's  house,  arid  was  a  co-laborer  and  worker  in  the 
cause  of  Christ.  In  his  last  illness  he  conversed  freely  with  all  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  his  hope  of  receiving  fhe  crown  of  life 
brightening  as  he  neared  the  end,  and  often  did  he  express  a  de- 
sire to  depart  and  be  at  rest.  His  disease  was  rather  obscure  and 
very  complicated,  while  his  sufferings  were  intense,  but  he  endured 
it  all  with  remarkable  patience  for  eight  months,  closing  this  life 
on  the  thirty-first  of  March,  1877.  The  funeral  services  were  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Budd,  pastor  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  as- 
sisted by  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Towner,  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
took  place  at  his  late  residence.  Although  the  weather  was  very 
inclement,  a  large  congregation  assembled  to  pay  the  last  tribute 
of  respect  to  a  kind  husband,  a  loving  and  indulgent  parent,  and 
esteemed  citizen  and  friend. 

By  his  request,  Mrs.  Duncan  was  appointed  Administratrix,  a 
position  which  by  education  and  natural  business  tact,  she  is  well 
qualified  to  fill.  Under  her  care,  the  property  left  for  her  benefit, 
and  of  the  fatherless  children,  will  not  be  squandered. 

Few  men  in  any  community  ever  had  the  opportunity  of  being 
better  known  than  Dr.  B.  A.  Duncan.  Coming  to  the  country  when 
it  was  new,  and  growing  with  it,  and  for  many  years  being  the 
only  physician  in  the  neighborhood,  there  was  probably  not 
a  family  in  Industry  township  but  what  at  some  time  he  visited 
as  a  professional  man.  It  is  therefore  not  wonderful  that  his 
death  was  mourned  by  many  sympathizing  friends,  who  knew  and 
loved  the  man  for  his  many  good  qualities  of  head  and  heart. 
But  the  loss  of  the  family  and  friends  in  his  gain.  "Blessed  are 


350  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord;  yea  and  from  henceforth  they  shall 
rest  trom  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

CAPTAIN    S.    A.    EPPERSON. 

The  parents  of  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  were  James 
H.  and  Martha  (Osborne)  Epperson.  They  were  hard-working, 
industrious,  and  honest  people,  respected  by  all  who  were  ac- 
quainted with  them.  S.  A.,  their  second  son,  of  whom  we  now 
write,  was  born  in  Greencastle,  Ind.,  on  the  tenth  day  of  October, 
1837.  When  but  three  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Mar- 
shall, Clark  county,  111.,  where  they  remained  but  one  year,  when 
they  continued  their  journey  farther  West,  stopping  in  Iowa  City, 
in  the  then  territory  of  Iowa.  Here  they  remained  until  the 
death  of  the  mother,  which  occurred  iii  1845.  The  elder  Epper- 
son then  took  his  eldest  son,  John  L.,  and  went  to  the  lead  mines 
of  Wisconsin,  leaving  S.  A.  in  the  care  of  a  couple  named  Hill, 
where  he  remained  about  three  years,  experiencing  many  hard- 
ships, the  memory  of  which  will  never  be  obliterated  while  life 
shall  last. 

Nearly  all  the  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  S.  A.  were  in 
attendance  upon  the  common  schools  of  Iowa  City,  which  at  that 
time  were  not  the  best,  the  town  containing  about  one  dozen  fam- 
ilies when  they  moved  there.  Among  the  number  then  living  in 
the  place  were  some  that  have  since  obtained  some  eminence  in 
the  councils,  of  State  and  Nation;  Professor  Harlan,  afterward 
United  States  Senator  and  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  being  one  of 
the  number. 

In  1849  the  elder  Epperson  moved  to  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
taking  with  him  his  two  children,  remaining  there  some  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois,  settling  on  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  nine,  in  the  township  of  2sVvv  Salem,  which  was 
his  home  until  his  removal  to  Bushiiell,  which  occurred 
in  1868.  S.  A.  accompanied  his  father  both  to  Kentucky  and  on 
his  return  to  Illinois,  remaining  with  him  and  engaging  in  the  la- 
bors of  the  farm  until  the  year  1858,  when  the  excitement  ran 
high  about  the  discovery  of  gold  in  Pike's  Peak.  To  this  new 
Eldorado  he  determined  to  go,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  went  as 
far  as  Henry  county,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  during  the  winter 
following  with  an  uncle  living  there.  In  the  spring  of  1859  he 
drove  a  herd  of  cattle  to  Independence,  Missouri,  and  there  he 
hired  to  take  a  drove  on  to  Nebraska  City,  the  starting  point  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  351 

the  overland  journey.  Discouraging  news  from  the  Peak  caused 
him  to  abandon  the  trip,  and  he  joined  a  train  sent  out  by  Majors 
Russell  and  Waddle,  treighting  government  supplies  for  the  sol- 
diers at  Camp  Floyd,  and  drove  across  the  plains,  and  was  gone 
some  six  months.  The  firm  with  which  he  engaged* stipulated  in 
the  contract  with  their  men  that  they  were  not  to  drink  any  in- 
toxicating liquors,  play  cards,  or  use  blasphemous  language.  This 
was  the  first  temperance  pledge  Mr.  Epperson  ever  took,  and  we 
are  pleased  to  record  the  fact  that  he  has  observed  it  ever  since. 
He  has  stated  to  us  that  in  the  train  with  which  he  was  connected 
were  men  of  all  grades  in  society,  but  yet  each  lived  faithfully  to 
his  pledge,  knowing  their  wages  depended  upon  its  observance. 
Xo  trouble  of  any  kind  was  experienced  on  the  journey,  while 
neighboring  trains  which  allowed  the  vices  prohibited  in  this  to 
be  indulged  in,  rows  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  This  shows 
the  good  effect  of  wholesome  moral  law. 

Success  in  the  mines  not  equalling  anticipation,  Mr.  Epperson, 
at  the  expiration  of  the  time  previously  mentioned,  returned  to 
the  States,  and  for  the  year  following  resided  in  southwest  Mis- 
souri, passing  the  time  in  attending  school  and  laboring  on  a  farm. 
In  the  summer  of  1830,  he  returned  home  and  labored  somewhat  in 
the  campaign  resulting  in  the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  the 
presidency.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1860-61,  he  read  law  and 
taught  school,  and  in  the  spring  following  again  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, continuing  in  that  pursuit  until  his  enlistment  in  the  war  of 
the  rebellion,  which  occured  in  August  following.  On  the  first 
day  of  tbat  month  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  L.  7th  Il- 
linois Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenant on  the  third  day  of  September,  and  on  the  12th  of  Decem- 
ber, with  the  regiment,  Co.  L  left  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  for 
the  front.  The  regiment  went  immediately  into  active  ser- 
vice, and  none  performed  duty  more  faithfully  that  it.  While 
stationed  at  Jacinto,  Miss.,  Lieutenant  Epperson  was  promoted 
Captain  of  the  company,  over  its  First  Lieutenant,  which  position 
he  retained  until  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  of  service, 
November  12,  1864.  InGrierson's  raid,  from  LaGrange,  Tenn.,to 
Baton  Kouge,  La.,  Co.  L,  under  command  of  Captain  Epperson,  rode 
eight  hundred  miles  in  sixteen  days.  "While  stationed  at  Colliers- 
ville,  Tenn.,  the  place  was  surrounded  by  the  enemy  one  Sunday 
morning,  and  Captain  Epperson,  with  some  thirty  others,  was  taken 
prisoner,  the  men  being  dismounted  at  the  time,  and  completely  sur- 


352  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

rounded  were  captured  and  taken  to  Grenada  ;  here  he  was  held 
as  a  hostage  for  a  rebel  officer  under  sentence  of  death  by  our 
force,  which  certainly  did  not  add  to  the  pleasure  of  his  captivity. 
But  he  made  up  his  mind,  if  possible,  he  would  effect  his  escape, 
and  the  opportunity  offering,  he  bid  good  bye  to  his  captors  with- 
out reluctance,  and  broke  for  the  Union  lines.  He  was  ten  days 
in  the  swamps  making  his  way  to  where  the  Union  troops  were 
stationed,  suffering  much  in  the  journey.  It  was  just  thirty  days 
from  the  date  of  his  capture  until  he  returned.  For  meritorious 
conduct  he  was  breveted  Major. 

Receiving  a  furlough,  Captain  Epperson  returned  home,  and  on 
the  third  day  of  May,  1864,  was  united  by  marriage  with  Miss 
Lodemice  Downey. 

On  receiving  his  discharge,  Captain  Epperson  returned  home 
and  again  engaged  in  farming,  but  on  account  of  disability  re- 
ceived while  in  the  service  of  his  country,  was  compelled  to  aban- 
don it. 

Politically  Captain  Epperson  is  a  staunch  Republican,  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party  being  dear  to  him,  but  he  is  independent  in 
expressing  his  opinion  in  regard  to  the  policy  that  should  govern 
the  party  in  its  actions.  Twice  has  he  been  elected  member  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  ot  the  county,  serving  his  constituents 
in  a  faithful  and  upright  manner.  In  1867  he  received  the  nomi- 
nation for  County  Treasurer,  against  Sydnor  H.  Hogan,  a  very 
popular  Democrat,  and  although  defeated,  he  ran  largely  ahead 
of  his  ticket.  In  the  last  Congressional  Convention  he  was  sup- 
ported by  the  delegates  from  this  county,  as  their,  candidate  for 
nomination,  but  local  and  other  influences  caused  his  defeat. 

In  the  spring  of  1868,  Captain  Epperson  moved  to  the  city  of 
Bushnell,  where  he  yet  resides.  For  two  years  he  read  law  in  the 
office  of  M.  A.  Luce,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  spring  of 
1869,  shortly  afterwards  becoming  a  partner  of  M.  A.  Luce,  which 
arrangement  was  continued  two  years.  In  1869  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Postmaster,  which  office  he  yet  holds.  In  1873  he 
abandoned  the  law,  purchasing  an  interest  in  the  Bushnell  Re- 
cord,  and  in  about  one  year,  had  the  entire  control  of  the  paper. 
This  publication  he  yet  continues.  Captain  Epperson  is  of  medi- 
um height,  light  complexion,  is  sociable,  and  one  whose  enemies,  if 
any,  are  all  on  account  of  political  differences. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  353 

JOHN  L.  EPPERSON. 

John  Lowry  Epperson,  son  of  James  H.  and  Martha  Jane  (Os- 
borne)  Epperson,  was  born  in  Lafayette,  Indiana,  November  6, 
1834.  His  parents  were  both  Keutuckians  by  birth,  emigrating 
from  that  State  to  Indiana  at  an  early  day.  When  John  was  but 
a  mere  lad  they  again  moved,  going  to  the  territory  of  Iowa, 
making  their  home  in  Iowa  City.  Here  the  mother  died,  leaving 
two  children  to  the  care  of  the  bereaved  husband  and  father. 
Mr.  Epperson,  taking  his  son  John  with  him,  proceeded  to  the 
famous  lead  mines,  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  three  years, 
from  whence  he  removed  to  Table  Grove,  Fulton  county,  where 
he  only  remained  a  few  months,  returning  to  his  native  State  of 
Kentucky,  where  he  remained  three  years,  and  then  coming  to 
this  State,  settling  in  the  present  township  of  Xew  Salem.  Mr. 
Epperson  has  ever  since  been  a  citizen  of  this  county,  and  Fulton 
county,  one  duly  respected  by  those  who  are  acquainted  with  him. 

All  the  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  the  subject  of  our 
present  sketch  was  in  the  common  schools  of  the  then  territories 
of  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  Farming  has  usually  been  his  means  of 
employment,  though  he  has  engaged  to  some  extent  in  other  busi- 
ness. For  seven  years  he  spent  his  time  in  teaching  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  six  years  of  the  time  in  one  school  house,  which  cer- 
tainly speaks  well  for  his  talent  in  that  direction.  At  present  he 
is  the  railroad  station  agent  at  Adair,  having  occupied  the  posi- 
tion since  the  completion  of  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  and  St. 
Louis  Railroad  in  1870.-' 

In  politics  Mr.  Epperson  has  always  been  a  Democrat  of  the 
old  Jeflersonian  school,  but  at  present  affiliates  with  the  lode- 
pendent  party,  the  views  of  which  upon  the  financial  question 
coincide  with  his  own.  For  four  years  he  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  Supervisor  in  Farmers'  township,  Fulton  county,  and 
for  the  same  length  of  time  held  the  latter  office  in  Xew  Salem 
township,  McDonough  county.  In  the  latter  township  he  ran 
and  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  notwithstanding  it  is 
one  of  the  strongest  Republican  precincts  in  the  county.  In  Ful- 
ton county,  the  first  time  he  ran,  he  had  opposition,  but  the  three 
years  following  had  none,  all  of  which  certainly  speaks  well  for 
the  personal  popularity  of  the  man.  As  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  he  made  one  of  its  most  efficient  members.  In 
1876  he  was  nominated  by  the  Independents  for  the  Legislature 


354  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

without  his  knowledge  or  consent,  and  having  no  idea  whatever 
of  receiving  the  intended  honor.  He  made  no  canvass,  having  no 
hope  of  being  elected  and  caring  little,  but,  much  to  the  surprise 
of  himself  and  friends,  ran  far  ahead  of  his  ticket,  proving  con- 
clusively that  he  could  have  been  elected  had  the  effort  been  made. 
Although  he  has  repeatedly  been  honored  by  his  political  asso- 
ciates and  friends,  he  has  never  sought  office,  and  not  often  was 
present  in  a  convention  where  he  received  the  nomination.  The 
office  has  invariably  sought  the  man  and  not  the  man  the  office. 

During  the  dark  days  of  the  rebellion  he  was  arrayed  upon  the 
side  of  the  Union,  and,  showing  his  faith  by  his  works,  we  find 
him  in  the  summer  of  1862  marching  to  the  front,  as  a  member  of 
Co.  L,  7th  Illinois  Cavalry.  Our  readers  well  know  the  record 
made  by  this  gallant  regiment,  and  none  bore  themselves  with 
more  gallantry  than  this  same  Company  L,  and  no  man  of  the 
company  endured  more  hardships  or  fought  more  bravely  for  his 
country  than  John  Lowry  Epperson. 

On  the  eleventh  day  of  December,  1856,  he  led  to  the  marriage 
altar  Miss  Sarah  C.  Rine,  with  whom  he  yet  lives  a  happy  and 
contented  life.  Six  children  have  they  been  blessed  with,  three 
only  of  whom  remain  to  add  joy  and  gladness  to  their  parents' 
heart,  three  having  been  called  "over  the  river"  to  dwell  in  the 
better  land. 

Mr.  Epperson,  among  his  friends  and  acquaintances,  enjoys  the 
reputation  of  being  a  kind,  sociable  and  pleasant  neighbor. 
Although  at  present  not  connected  with  any  religious  body,  he 
leads  a  strictly  moral  life,  lending  his  aid  and  encouragement  to 
all  good  werd  and  works.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  never  swore 
an  oath,  never  drank  intoxicating  liquors,  nor  yet  ever  belonged 
to  a  temperance  society.  He  is  a  man  that  thinks  much  of  home, 
and  enjoys  the  comforts  and  pleasures  of  a  home  life.  Taking  all 
in  all,  he  is  a  man  well  qualified  by  nature  and  education  to  be  a 
representative  man  in  McDonough  county,  and  worthy  of  a  place 
in  its  history. 

THOMAS   FULKERSOX. 

The  county  of  McDonough  has  given  birth  to  many  noble  men 
and  women,  but  none  more  highly  honored  than  the  subject  of  our 
present  sketch,  Thomas  Fulkerson,  who  was  born  in  Hillsgrove, 
about  three  miles  from  the  present  town  of  Tennessee,  on  the 
twenty-second  day  of  February,  1834.  His  parents  were  James 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  355 

and  Elizabeth  II.  (Waddell)  Fulkerson,  natives  of  the  state  of 
Tennessee,  where  they  were  married,  and  from  whence  they  re- 
moved to  McDonough  county  in  1832,  settling  upon  Sec.  29,  5  X., 
4  "VT.,  now  Tennessee  township.  At  the  birth  of  Thomas  they 
were  in  moderate  circumstances,  having  considerable  land,  though 
with  but  little  money. 

The  early  life  of  Thomas  was  spent  on  a  farm,  working  in  the 
summer  and  attending  school  in  the  winter.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  enjoyed  the  instructions  of  Isaac  Holton,  who  taught  a 
High  School  at  the  Grove,  and  whose  memory  is  held  in  grateful 
remembrance  by  citizens  in  all  the  country  roundabout.  He  then 
attended  the  McDonough  College,  at  Macomb,  an  institution 
whose  history  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  where  he  re- 
mained two  years,  acquiring  therein  a  pretty  thorough  education 
in  the  sciences.  He  has  always  been  a  great  reader  and  has  there- 
fore kept  abreast  with  the  times  in  general  knowledge.  This  fact 
has  had  much  to  do  with  his  manner  of  life.  The  faculty  of  be- 
nevolence is  well  developed  in  him,  and  he  can  seldom  say  "no" 
to  a  friend  (enemies  he  has  none)  \vhen  a  favor  is  asked  of  him ; 
therefore,  when  a  neighbor  has  a  work  to  perform  requiring  close 
calculation,  he  calls  upon  Thomas  Fulkerson  ;  if  a  man  dies,  leav- 
ing an  estate  to  be  settled,  Thomas  Fulkerson  can  attend  to  that; 
if  a  piece  of  work  is  required  to  be  done  in  the  neighborhood, 
necessitating  a  considerable  outlay  of  time,  with  very  little  remu- 
neration, Thomas  Fulkerson  can  do  it;  and  thus  it  goes.  Duties 
devolve  upon  him  that  no  one  else  can  or  will  attend  to. 

Like  his  father  before  him,  he  is  a  farmer,  but  probably  more 
from  circumstances  than  choice.  As  his  father  grew  old,  the 
labors  and  responsibilities  of  the  farm  began  to  devolve  upon 
Thomas,  and  when  the  senior  Fulkerson  died,  he  left  to  him  the 
old  homestead,  on  which  he  still  continues  to  reside,  his  aged 
mother  and  sister  residing  with  him. 

Xo  other  place  during  the  forty-three  years  of  his  life  was  he 
ever  called  home,  and  doubtless  upon  the  old  place  he  will  re- 
main until  called  to  occupy  a  mansion  in  that  other  world,  which 
is  prepared  for  the  true  and  faithful  in  this. 

"When  but  an  infant,  the  waters  of  baptism  was  placed  upon 
his  brow  by  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright,  of  blessed  memory. 

This  old  disciple  was  in  attendance  at  a  camp  meeting  in  a 
grove  in  the  vicinity  of  his  parent's  residence,  when  they  present- 
ed him  for  baptism.  When  but  sixteen  years  of  age  he  was  .  j- 


356  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

ceived  into  full  fellowship  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
with  which  body  he  yet  retains  his  membership.  He  has  always 
been  active  in  the  Lord's  cause,  making  a  diligent  use  ot  the  tal- 
ents committed  to  him.  In  1859  he  was  elected  Recording  Stew- 
ard, of  the  Colchester  circuit,  w^hich  office  he  has  ever  since  held, 
and  during  the  entire  time  has  never  missed  but  one  quarterly 
meeting.  Few  officers,  we  opine,  can  show  as  good  a  record.  In 
the  Sabbath  School  work  he  has  always  labored  with  zeal,  begot- 
ten of  knowledge.  From  a  youth  up  he  has  been  a  constant  at- 
tendant upon  the  Sabbath  School,  and  whether  as  a  scholar,  a 
teacher  or  superintendent,  he  has  ever  attended  faithfully  to  his 
duties.  At  present  he  is  the  efficient  teacher  of  the  Bible  class  in 
the  Hillsgrove  Sunday  School. 

Like  hundreds  of  others  raised  in  this  county,  Mr.  Fulkerson 
passed  through  many  trials.  In  the  early  day  the  first  duty  de- 
volving upon  the  young  boy  was  to  go  to  mill.  He  was  first  taught 
the  way,  and  when  even  too  young,  or  with  insufficient  strength  to 
hold  the  sack  of  grain  upon  the  horse,  it  was  tied  on,  and  he  then 
placed  upon  the  horse's  back,  was  sent  on  his  wa}r.  This  duty 
was  given  the  youngest,  for  the  reason  they  were  often  compelled 
to  wait  many  hours  to  have  their  grain  ground,  the  capacity  of  the 
mills  being  so  small  the  millers  would  make  a  rule  "first  come, 
first  served."  The  time  of  the  older  ones  upon  a  farm  was  thus 
saved,  and  their  labor  obtained.  The  destructive  prairie  fires  in 
the  spring  were  such  as  to  create  apprehension  in  the  minds  of  all, 
and  among  the  earliest  recollections  of  him  of  whom  we  write  was 
of  fighting  fire  to  prevent  its  approach  to  their  cabin  and  grain. 

The  moral  training  received  by  Thomas  Fulkerson  was  excel- 
lent in  the  extreme.  His  father  being  a  consistent  and  zealous 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  having  a  deep 
reverence  for  the  word  of  God,  inculcated  in  the  young  mind  of 
his  son  the  fact  that  "the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of 
wisdom,"  and  also  that  excellent  motto  "honesty  is  the  best  pol- 
icy." The  instruction  received  in  youth,  and  its  application  to  his 
daily  life,  he  has  ever  since  retained.  Now,  while  in  the  prime  of 
life,  we  find  him  honored  by  all  who  know  him,  his  word  at  all 
times  being  considered  as  good  as  his  bond,  and  it  being  the  uni- 
versal verdict  of  his  neighbors  that  no  more  honest  man  exists 
than  Thomas  Fulkerson.  Everybody  respects  the  man  for  his 
sterling  worth.  For  some  years  he  has  administered  more  estates 
than  any  man  in  the  western  portion  of  the  county,  if  not  in  its 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  357 

whole  length  and  breadth.  In  his  hands  it  is  well  known  that 
every  penny  will  be  accounted  for  and  no  one  will  ever  be  wronged 
out  of  a  cent, 

As  a  politician  Mr.  Fulkerson  makes  no  pretensions,  but,  like 
'the  true  man  that  he  is,  has  his  views  and  is  not  afraid  to  main- 
tain them.  His  political  viewrs  coincide  with  those  of  the  Repub- 
licans, and  the  principles  of  that  party  have  ever  been  dear  to 
him.  During  the  w^ar,  while  he  did  not  enter  the  field,  he  exer- 
cised a  wholesome  influence  at  home,  and  no  more  loyal  man 
could  be  found  than  he. 

When  the  "Grange"  movement  was  organized  he  wrent  into  the 
movement,  and  in  the  Grange  with  which  he  is  connected  is  an 
active  worker  and  has  been  its  secretary  during  the  entire  period 
of  its  existence.  He  is  also  the  purchasing  agent  of  that  body, 
and  during  the  past  year  has  transacted  a  business  amounting  to 
a  total  sum  of  §30,000.  Few  mercantile  houses  in  the  county 
transact  a  larger  volume  of  trade.  Having  the  confidence  of  the 
entire  community  the  people  are  not  afraid  to  trust  him  with  their 
orders. 

JOHN  D,  HAINLIXE. 

FewT  men  are  better  known  in  Emmet  township  than  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch — John  Dunford.  Hainline,  who  for  a  period  of 
thirty-eight  years  has  made  his  home  on  section  six.  His  parents 
were  George  and  Flora  (Cockerel)  Hainline,  the  former  a  Ken- 
tuckian  by  birth,  being  born  in  Fayette  county  of  that  State, 
while  the  latter  was  a  Tennessean,  but  raised  in  the  same  county 
in  Kentucky  as  her  husband.  John  D.,  their  son,  was  born  in 
Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  seventh  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1817.  His  mother  for  years  made  all  the  clothing  used  by 
the  entire  family,  while  his  father  endeavored  in  his  way  to  pro- 
vide for  their  wants  in  tilling  the  soil.  The  implements  that  he 
used  for  this  purpose  would  make  the  young  farmer  of  this  coun- 
try stare  in  wonder  and  amazement.  Just  think  of  using  a  plow 
made  entirely  of  wood,  drawn  by  a  horse  wearing  a  collar  made 
of  bark,  stuffed  with  husks  of  corn  !  But  such  wras  the  way  the 
work  was  performed,  and  yet  all  managed  to  live.  John  was  a 
great  lover  of  amusements,  and  would  go  to  as  great  length  to 
gratify  his  desires  in  this  line  as  any  in  the  land.  Coon  and  pos- 
sum hunting  were  among  the  chief  means  of  diversion,  occasion- 
ally varied  by  visiting  the  pretty  girls  of  the  neighborhood.  The 
H— 23 


358 

only  educational  advantages  he  received  were  in  attending  a  school 
two  months  each  winter  for  about  seven  years,  in  an  old  log  school 
house,  where,  on  an  old  slab  seat,  he  was  compelled  to  sit  from 
morning  until  night.  For  a  window  a  log  was  removed,  and 
greased  paper  was  placed  over  the  hole  made  by  its  removal.  The 
branches  taught  in  this  school  were  "reading,  'riting  and  'rithma- 
tic."  Not  a  grammar  or  geography  was  ever  seen  it  in.  Not- 
withstanding the  love  of  fun  which  predominated  in  young 
Hainline,  he  was  in  youth  quite  steady,  the  result  of  the  training 
received  from  his  parents,  wrho  were  quite  strict  in  their  govern- 
ment. 

In  1836,  when  but  twenty  years  of  age  he  led  to  the  hymenial 
altar  Miss  Margaret  Ann  Douthit,  and  two  years  thereafter  em- 
igrated to  McDouough  county,  settling  in  Emmet  township.  By 
her  he  had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  yet  live,  one  son  George 
L.  being  killed  at  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  during  the  late  war.  This  son 
was  a  member  of  the  16th  regiment  and  was  among  the  first  to 
enlist  in  the  defense  of  his  country.  James  Lewis  Hainline,  a 
nephew,  but  who  was  raised  by  Mr.  H.  enlisted  at  the  same  time, 
was  wounded  at  Bentonville,  and  died  in  Missouri  some  time  in 
1866.  Mrs.  Hainline  died  Nov.  3,  1869.  About  one  year  after, 
Mr.  Hainline  was  again  married,  this  time  to  Miss  Amanda  J. 
Purdy,  with  whom  he  yet  lives. 

One  hundred  acres  of  the  farm  of  Mr.  Hainline,  was  purchased 
by  him  on  his  arrival  in  the  county  for  the  sum  of  $700.  The 
land  was  improved,  and  the  price  paid  was  considered  |very 
high  at  that  time.  Other  land  adjoining  wTas  afterwards  pur- 
chased for  ten  dollars  per  acre.  The  farm  is  now  one  of  the  most 
valuable  in  Emmet  township.  In  his  day  Mr.  Hainline  has  been 
a  very  stout  and  robust  man,  and  has  never,  during  his  entire  life, 
been  confined  to  his  bed  by  sickness  but  two  weeks.  The  cares  of 
the  world  never  seem  to  trouble  him  in  the  least;  he  never  worries 
or  complains.  Having,  by  his  own  industry,  laid  up  for  himself  a 
sufficient  amount  of  worldly  goods  to  enable  him  to  live  comfort- 
ably, he  passes  along  through  life  in  a  contented  manner.  On  his 
land  are  found  veins  of  excellent  coal,  which  have  but  recently 
been  discovered,  and  from  which,  during  the  past  year  (1876), 
about  15,000  bushels  of  coal  were  taken.  This  being  the  only  coal 
mine  in  that  section  of  country,  will  eventually  make  the  land 
very  valuable. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  359 

In  politics  Mr.  Hainline  was  originally  an  old  line  ^Vhig,  but 
when  the  old  party  disbanded  he  affiliated  for  a  time  with  the 
American  party.  In  1858,  when  Lincoln  made  his  celebrated  cam- 
paign with  Douglas  for  the  Senate,  a  campaign  of  national  import- 
ance, he  voted  the  Eepublican  ticket,  and  ever  since  has  been  an 
earnest  supporter  of  its  men  and  measures.  On  the  accession  of 
Lincoln  to  the  Presidency  in  1861,  when  war  was  proclaimed,  his 
whole  influence  was  exerted  in  the  cause  of  freedom  and  union, 
and  two  of  his  sons  (all  that  were  old  enough)  he  sent  forth  to  bat- 
tle for  their  country,  one  of  whom,  as  previously  stated,  laid  down 
his  life  in  its  defense,  the  other  returning  at  the  close  of  the  war 
to  receive  honors  from  his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  one  of  the  edi- 
tors of  the  well  known  Macomb  Journal. 

Mr.  Hainline  has  never  made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  has 
endeavored  to  live  a  strictly  moral  life,  although  we  believe  no 
man  would  resent  an  insult  quicker  than  he.  In  his  neighbor- 
hood, and  among  those  with  whom  he  is  acquainted,  he  is  highly 
respected. 

W.  II .  HAIXLIXE. 

AVm.  II.  Hainline  was  born  in  Emmet  township,  McDonough 
county,  July  29,  1841,  and  has  been  a  continuous  resident  of  the 
county  from  that  date,  and  therefore  may  be  classed  as  an  old 
settler.  His  parents  were  John  D.  and  Margaret  A.  Hainline,  who 
immigrated  from  the  State  of  Kentucky  at  an  early  day ,the  father 
yet  residing  upon  the  old  homestead  in  Emmet  township.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  childhood  and  youth  upon  the 
farm,  his  life  being  varied  by  work  in  the  summer  and  attendance 
upon  the  district  school  in  the  winter.  With  the  exception  of 
three  months  his  entire  schooling  was  received  in  one  district. 
Until  eighteen  years  of  age  he  continued  to  wrork  for  his  father. 
At  that  time  the  country  was  excited  by  the  discovery  of  gold  in 
Pike's  Peak,  when  he  persuaded  his  father  to  let  him  seek  his  for- 
tune in  that  new  Eldorado.  Going  to  the  Peak,  he  labored  about 
three  weeks  in  the  mines,  when  not  being  satisfied  with  the  pros- 
pects, he  returned  home,  thoroughly  cured  of  the  "gold  fever," 
and  willing  enough  to  take  his  place  behind  the  plow,  and  turn 
gold  out  of  the  black  soil  of  Illinois.  In  farm  work  he  continued 
until  the  boom  of  the  cannon  was  heard  reverberating  from  Fort 
Sumpter,  when,  hastening  to  Macomb,  on  the  nineteenth  day  of 
April,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Capt.  Kalstoirs  company  of  "Union 


360  HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY. 

Guards,"  under  the  first  call  of  the  President  for  75,000  men,  but  on 
account  of  the  lack  ot  transportation  the  company  could  not  leave 
Macomb  in  time,  and  therefore  failed  to  be  numbered  with  the 
first  quota.  A  call  of  the  State  had  in  the  meantime  been  made 
for  ten  regiments,  and  this  company  was  sworn  in  for  thirty  days, 
and  afterward,  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  May,  1861,  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war, 
becoming  Co.  A,  16th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers.  "During 
the  war"  was  taken  literally  by  Mr.  Hainline,  and  five  months  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  his  three  years'  service,  he  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran,  and  continued  with  his  regiment  until  the  proclamation 
of  peace  was  issued  and  the  regiment  mustered  out  on  the 
eighth  day  of  July,  1865.  In  every  campaign  in  which  the  regi- 
ment participated  he  bore  his  part,  and  in  the  battle  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  in  front  of  Atlanta,  on  the  twentieth  of  July,  1864,  he 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  rebels,  and  five  days  thereafter  was 
placed  in  the  dread  prison  pen  of  Andersonville.  For  two  months 
he  was  confined  at  that  place,  where  the  prisoners  were  dying  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  each  day,  dying  of  starvation  and  expos- 
ure, the  rebels  refusing  to  take  any  measures  to  better  their  con- 
dition. The  horrors  of  that  prison  will  ever  be  impressed  upon 
his  mind,  and  it  is  therefore  little  to  be  wondered  that  he  scarcely 
forgives  the  authors  of  that  misery. 

On  returning  home,  Mr.  Hainline,  the  following  fall,  received 
from  his  party  the  nomination  for  the  office  of  County  Treasurer, 
and,  notwithstanding  the  objection  raised  against  him  on  account 
of  his  youth,  and  that  he  ran  against  the  most  popular  man  in  the 
ranks  of  the  opposition,  he  was  triumphantly  elected.  The 
amount  of  his  bond  was  §650,000,  owing  to  the  heavy  bounty 
tax.  but  had  been  $2,000,000  it  would  have  been  given.  In  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  he  gave  perfect  satisfaction  to  men  of  all 
parties,  and  in  the  two  years  of  his  service  he  handled  more 
money  than  any  Treasurer  in  the  county  has  ever  done  in  the  same 
length  of  time. 

Shortly  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  drug  store  of  P.  H.  Delaney,  continuing  in  that 
business  until  the  fall  of  1869. 

On  the  twelfth  day  of  June,  1866,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Victoria  Shleich,  of  Fulton  county.  Three  children 
were  the  result  of  this  union,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs* 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  361 

Hainline  departed  this  life  February  24,  1874,  her  loss  deeply  felt 
not  only  by  the  sorrowing  husband  and  motherless  children,  but 
by  many  friends.  She  was  a  woman  of  many  excellent  qualities 
of  head  and  heart,  and  would  attract  friends  wherever  her  lot  was 
cast.  In  the  sweet  bye-and  by  she  rests  from  her  labors,  while  her 
works  do  follow  her. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  in  politics  Mr.  Hainline  isaRepublican 
"of  the  strictest  sect."  It  can  well  be  said  of  him  that  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party  are  "bred  in  the  bone,"  his  parents  and  all 
bearing  the  name  being  of  the  same  political  persuasion.  In  June, 
1870,  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Macomb  Journal,  the 
leading  paper  of  the  city,  and  became  associate  editor.  As  a 
local  writer  he  ranks  among  the  best  in  the  State,  and  in  the  ad- 
vocacy of  his  political  views  he  never  fails  to  make  himself  un- 
derstood, and  always  takes  advance  ground  upon  all  questions  of 
the  day. 

In  addition  to  the  office  of  County  Treasurer,  Mr.  Hainliue  has 
held  the  office  of  Alderman  of  the  First  Ward,  Macomb,  for  two 
3~ears,  and  represented  the  city  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors for  three  years.  In  the  discharge  of  all  his  official 
duties  he  labors  faithfully  to  advance  the  best  interests  of  his  con- 
stituents, being  alive  to  all  questions  of  public  good.  "While  he 
would  practice  strict  economy  in  the  management  of  public  affairs, 
he  would  not  be  niggardly  in  expenditures,  knowing  that  it  is 
possible  for  public  servants,  as  well  as  private  individuals,  to  be 
"penny  wise  and  pound  foolish." 

William  H.  Haiuline  is  rather  below  medium  height,  quick  in 
motion,  and  is  generally  in  the  enjoyment  of  reasonably  good 
health.  As  a  citizen  he  enjoys  the  respect  and  esteem  of  every 
one,  and  as  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  is  kind  and  benevolent,  with 
a  heart  open  to  hear  the  cries  of  the  afflicted  of  earth.  That  he 
is  public  spirited  is  proven  by  his  acts  and  votes  upon  questions 
that  pertain  to  the  general  good  of  all. 

WILLIAM    HAMILTON. 

Among  the  living  pioneers  of  McDonough,  few  are  more  wide- 
ly known  than  the  one  of  whom  we  now  write.  William  Hamil- 
ton was  born  in  Rock  bridge  county,  Virginia,  seven  miles  from 
the  great  Xatural  Bridge,  in  May,  1813.  At  his  birth  his  father 
was  in  comfortable  circumstances,  but  shortly  after  lost  all,  when 
he  removed  to  Connersville,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 


362  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

ing,  and  where  William  was  compelled  to  labor  as  early  in  life  as 
he  could  be  of  assistance.  A  few  months  attendance  in  the  com- 
mon schools  in  his  native  county,  before  removing  to  Indiana,  was 
all  the  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  him,  until  after  he 
reached  his  majority,  when  he  attended  a  country  school  for  about 
three  months;  therefore  the  success  attending  him  in  after  life  was 
not  due  to  any  knowledge  acquired  from  books,  but  from  contin- 
ual application  to  business  and  natural  common  sense. 

When  sixteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  H.  commenced  to  learn  the 
trade  of  blacksmith,  which  he  followed  some  eighteen  months, 
when  finding  it  did  not  agree  with  him,  he  went  on  a  farm,  which 
business  he  afterwards  followed  until  his  retirement  a  lew  years 
ago.  It  was  not  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  that  he 
was  enabled  to  save  anything  from  his  labor.  In  the  year  1835, 
he  hired  oat  at  $12  per  month,  and  in  due  time  saved  $100,  which 
afterwards  served. as  a  basis  for  the  accumulation  of  years.  With 
this  sum  of  money,  a  horse  and  saddle,  he  came  to  Macomb,  in 
this  count}7,  arriving  here  on  the  sixteenth  da}'  of  April,  1836 
He  at  onced  hired  to  Abner  Walker,  for  $12  per  month  and  board, 
continuing  with  him  for  some  time,  and  in  February,  1836,  pur- 
chased the  first  piece  of  land  he  ever  owned  being  the  south  west 
quarter,  section  2,  6  north,  2  west,  where  he  so  long  made  his 
home. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  October,  1839,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  Cannon,  near  Macomb,  in  whose  society 
he  has  since  spent  thirty-eight  years  of  his  life.  Six  children  has 
the  Lord  given  them,  five  yet  living,  who  occupy  useful  positions 
in  society. 

Mr.  Hamilton  has  never  held  public  office  save  that  of  school 
director  and  road  commissioner.  Often  has  he  been  requested  to 
serve,  but  always  refused.  He  cares  nothing  for  the  honors  ob- 
tained, and  is  content  to  fill  an  humble  position  in  life.  He  has 
always  been  a  hard  working  man,  and  whatever  of  this  world's 
goods  he  possesses  has  been  made  by  his  own  industry  and  the 
practice  of  strict  economy.  When  he  first  began  life  in  this 
county,  the  people  were  suffering  the  effects  of  the  hard  times 
following  the  panic  of  1837,  and  for  years  it  was  almost  an  impos- 
ibility  to  ©btain  sufficient  money  even  to  pay  taxes.  He  informs 
us  that  many  times  has  he  harnessed  his  team  .before  daylight, 
and  driving  to  Macomb,  a  distance  of  nine  miles,  proceeded  to 


363 

"Wigwanf  branch,  some  two  or  three  miles  west  of  town,  hauling 
in  three  loads  of  wood  and  returning  home,  all  for  81.50.  He  has 
killed  his  hogs,  taken  them  to  Xauvoo,  spending  three  or  four 
days  on  the  journey,  and  sold  them  tor  SI. 50  per  hundred  pounds. 

Notwithstanding  the  difficulties  with  which  he  had  to  con- 
tend, he  labored  on,  determined  to  succeed.  One  quality  about 
hirn  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  our  young  men — he  never  contract- 
ed a  debt  without  knowing  how  and  when  it  should  be  paid,  and 
never  in  all  his  life  has  he  been  unable  to  meet  the  demands 
against  him.  For  a  number  of  years  past  he  has  made  his  motto, 
"Pay  as  you  go,"  and  has  contracted  no  debts  of  any  kind,  or  for 
any  purpose.  In  1864  he  rented  out  his  farm  and  removed  to 
Bushnell  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  During  the 
first  year  of  his  stay  in  Bushnell  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness,believing  that  in  his  early  life  he  had  done  enough  hard  work 
to  entitle  him  to  have  a  little  leisure  as  he  passes  along  the  latter 
part  of  the  journey  of  life. 

In  1838  he  united  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  Walnut  Grove,  retaining  his  connection  with  that  body  until  his 
removal  to  Bushnell,  when  he  received  a  letter,  but  has  never 
united  with  another  congregation. 

HOX.    B.    R.    HAMPTOX. 

Benjamin  R.  Hampton  was  born  in  "Warren  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  twelfth  day  of  April,  1821.  His  parents  were  Van  C.  and 
Elizabeth  (Randolph)  Hampton,  the  former  being  a  native  of  New 
Jersey  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  elder  Hampton  was  well 
known  throughout  McDonough.  county,  having  established  and 
for  many  years  running  the  first  woolen  factory  in  the  town  of 
Macomb,  if  not  in  the  county.  The  early  life  of  young  Hampton 
was  spent  in  the  country,  and  as  soon  as  he  arrived  at  an  age  in 
which  he  was  capable  of  doing  work,  he  was  placed  in  his  father's 
woolen  factory.  At  this  trade  he  labored  for  some  years,  or  until 
his  removal  to  McDonough  county,  in  1840.  In  the  public  schools 
of  Miami  county,  Ohio,  where  his  parents  removed  when  he  was 
but  a  mere  lad,  he  laid  the  foundation  of  a  good  practical  educa- 
tion. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Macomb  he  entered  the  office  of  Hon. 
Cyrus  "Walker,  one  of  the  leading  attorneys  of  the  State,  where  he 
read  law  for  some  two  years,  when  he  passed  examination  and 


364  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  this  profession  he  continued  seven- 
teen years,  with  some  success,  attaining  a  good  reputation  as  a 
legal  adviser. 

On  the  second  day  of  April,  1845,  be  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Angeline  E.  Hail,  daughter  of  D.  Hail,  Esq.,  Franklin, 
Kentucky.  Six  children  have  been  born  unto  them,  three  of  whom 
are  living. 

Mr.  Hampton  has  always  taken  considerable  interest  in  the 
political  affairs  of  the  country,  his  first  general  experience  being  in 
the  campaign  of  1840,  when  Gen.  Harrison  was  elected  President 
of  the  United  States.  He  espoused  the  principles  of  the  old 
"Whig  party,  and  fought  manfully  for  its  success  until  it  ceased  to 
exist,  when  he  was  one  of  the  very  first  in  this  county  to  give 
adhesion  to  the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  has  since  been 
connected.  In  weakness  or  in  strength,  through  evil  or  good 
reports,  he  has  labored  earnestly  and  zealously  for  the  welfare  of 
that  party.  In  the  fall  of  1855  he  became  editor  of  the  old  Ma- 
comb  Enterprise,  and  in  the  summer  of  1856,  when  John  C. 
Fremont  received  the  nomination  for  President  (the  first  candi- 
date of  the  Republican  party  for  that  office),  he  placed  his  name 
at  the  head  of  its  columns  ;  and  with  great  zeal  advocated  his 
election.  Without  detracting  in  the  least  from  others,  we  can 
say  that  no  man  has  done  more  or  made  greater  sacrifices  for  the 
success  of  the  party.  For  some  years  he  published  the  paper  at 
a  loss,  being  compelled  to  draw  from  other  resources  means  to 
keep  it  alive.  At  this  time  the  party  was  greatly  in  the  minority, 
but  with  faith  that  it  would  eventually  succeed,  he  labored  on, 
witnessing  its  final  triumph.  He  has  on  several  occasions  served 
in  public  office,  as  Trustee  of  the  town  of  Macomb,  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Supervisor  and  State  Senator.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  during  the  dark  days  of  the  rebellion,  and 
labored  without  avail  to  secure  assistance  from  the  Board  for  the 
brave  boys  in  blue  and  their  suffering  families  left  behind.  For 
this  act  he  deserves  great  credit  from  that  class  who  imperilled 
their  lives  for  the  nation's  safety.  As  a  member  of  the  State  Sen- 
ate he  served  four  years,  discharging  his  duties  faithfully  and  to 
the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 

While  in  the  Senate  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  which 
prepared  the  present  liquor  law  of  the  State.  During  the  second 
term  he  was  chairman  of  the  Republican  caucus  and  chairman  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  365 

the  committees  on  Expenses  of  the  General  Assembly  and  Miscel- 
lany. He  was  also  a  member  of  the  committees  on  Revision,  Re- 
formatory Institutions,  Judicial  Department,  Apportionment, 
Printing,  Fees  and  Salaries,  and  Appropriations.  He  prepared 
and  introduced  the  bill  by  which  the  Revised  Statutes  of  the 
State  were  given  to  the  people  at  a  cost  of  only  two  dollars. 

"\Vith  the  exception  of  a  period  between  1860-65  up  to  the  year 
1870,  he  had  entire  editorial  control  of  the  Macomb  Journal. 
During  the  latter  year  TV".  H.  Hainline  became  associated  with 
him.  It  now  ranks  with  the  best  papers  in  the  State  and  with  a 
circulation  equal  to  any  country  paper  published. 

Shortly  after  the  organization  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Ma- 
comb  Mr.  Hampton  united  and  has  since  held  connection  with 
that  body.  In  all  the  affairs  of  the  congregation  he  has  taken 
great  interest,  and  contributes  liberally  of  his  means  to  advance 
the  cause.  As  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  is  kind  and  benevolent, 
always  willing  to  aid  a  worthy  person  in  every  way  in  his  power. 
Aside  from  politics  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  every  one,  his 
only  enemies  being  those  of  a  political  nature.  As  a  citizen  he 
is  public  spirited  and  advocates  publicly  and  privately  everything 
having  a  tendency  to  advance  the  interests  of  his  adopted  county 
and  State. 

RICHARD    D.    HAMMOND,  M.  D. 

Among  the  prominent  and  successful  physicians  of  this  county 
none  are  better  known  and  enjoy  more  of  the  respect  of  the  peo- 
ple and  the  profession  than  Dr.  R.  D.  Hammond,  the  son  of  Asa 
and  Sarah  A.  (Wilson)  Hammond,  who  was  born  in  Claiborne, 
Monroe  county,  Alabama,  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  July,  1826. 
The  father  of  Dr.  Hammond  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  while 
the  native  state  of  his  mother  was  Xorth  Carolina.  The  elder 
Hammon.d  was  an  attorney  of  considerable  note  in  his  adopted 
State  of  Alabama,  enjoying  a  very  large  and  lucrative  practice 
extending  throughout  its  length  and  breadth. 

The  early  life  of  Dr.  Hammond  was  such  as  is  common  to  every 
boy  in  the  land,  and  was  passed  in  his  native  village  and  in  at- 
tendance upon  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town.  In  1840, 
his  father  took  him  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  following  year,  when  but 
fifteen  years  of  age,  he  was  entered  as  a  student  in  the  Marietta 
College,  Marietta,  Ohio,  from  whence  he  graduated  when  nineteen, 
receiving  the  decree  of  A.  B. 


366  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

After  graduating  he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Monmouth, 
the  county  seat  of  Warren  county,  and  some  two  years  after  en- 
tered the  office  of  Dr.  Young,  one  of  the  best  physicians  of  the 
place,  with  whom  he  read  medicine  until  the  time  arrived  when 
he  should  attend  lectures.  Choosing  the  Medical  Department  of 
the  University  of  Missouri,  he  entered  the  same,  graduating  with 
honors  in  1852.  Returning  home,  he  opened  an  office  in  the  old 
village  of  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  obtaining  a  fair  practice  and  much  valuable  experience.  In 
1853  he  removed  to  Blandinsville,  McDonough  county,  which 
place  he  made  his  home  until  November,  1862,  when  he  removed  to 
Macomb.  In  and  around  about  Blandinsville  he  built  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice,  and  made  many  warm  and  staunch  friends, 
friends  that  felt  grieved  at  his  departure,  and  who  were  ready  to 
extend  a  welcome  on  his  return.  In  Macomb  he  also  met  with 
good  success  in  his  chosen  profession,  and  for  several  years  his 
practice  was  equal,  if  not  greater,  than  any  physician  in  the  county. 
Failing  health  caused  him  to  abandon  his  business  for  a  short 
time,  and  in  company  with  Charles  Chandler,  Esq.,  of  Macomb, 
he  spent  a  few  months  in  traveling,  principally  in  the  South.  On 
returning  home,  he  was  urged  by  many  of  his  old  patrons  in 
Blandinsville  and  its  vicinity  to  return  to  that  place  and  resume 
his  practice.  This  he  consented  to  do,  and,  May,  1875,  be  again 
resumed  his  practice  in  that  place.  It  required  but  a  short  time 
to  regain  the  large  practice  previously  enjoyed  while  a  citizen  of 
the  town,  and  but  for  an  unfortunate  and  serious  accident,  would 
have  exerted  him  to  the  utmost  to  attend  to  calls.  On  the 
thirtieth  day  of  April,  1876,  he  was  thrown  from  his  horse,  receiv- 
ing injuries  of  the  spine,  which  prevented  him  from  attending  to 
his  duties  a  great  part  of  his  time.  The  doctor  is  now  making  a 
specialty  of  the  treatment  of  diseases  by  electricity,  meeting  with 
uniformly  good  success. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  December,  1854,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Louisa  Bolles,  by  whom  he  has  had  nine  chil- 
dren, seven  girls  and  two  boys,  all  of  whom  are  now  living,  save 
the  oldest  daughter,  who  passed  to  her  long  home  in  the  fall  of 
1874,  where  she  awaits  the  coming  of  other  loved  ones,  who,  upon 
this  side  the  river,  toil  on,  until  in  the  grand  reunion  in  the  "sweet 
by-and-bye." 

Dr.  Hammond  is  a  man  rather  below  the  medium  height,  light 
hair,  full,  flowing  beard,  high  forehead,  and  of  a  kind  and  benev- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  367 

olent  disposition.  For  a  number  of  years  he  has  been  connected 
\vlth  the  Congregational  Church  at  Macomb,  with  which  body  he 
yet  holds  membership,  there  being  no  church  of  that  denomina- 
tion in  Blandiusville.  Every  one  regards  him  with  respect  as  a 
man,  and  in  the  community  in  which  he  resides  he  wields  consid- 
erable influence. 

DR.    JOHN    HARDESTY. 

Few  men  that  have  lived  in  our  county  were  more  widely 
known  or  more  universally  esteemed  than  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  John  Hardesty  was  of  Irish  descent,  his  grandfather  on 
his  father's  side  immigrating  to  this  country  prior  to  the  revolu- 
tionary war.  His  father,  Charles  Hardesty,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war  and  likewise  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  bore  an 
honorable  part  in  each  of  these  great  struggles.  The  patriotic 
principles  of  the  father  were  imbibed  by  the  son,  and  have  de- 
scended to  the  present  generation. 

John  Hardesty  was  born  in  Virginia  May  13,  1793.  His  moth- 
er's maiden  name  was  JSTancy  Fowler,  her  family  being  one  of  the 
oldest  in  this  State  and  having  a  number  of  representatives  now 
living  in  this  county.  During  the  early  life  of  John  he  lived  and 
worked  with  his  parents  on  a  farm  and  in  the  common  or  sub- 
scription schools  of  his  time  laid  the  foundation  of  an  education 
secured  in  after  years  -by  self-application. 

AVhen  war  with  Great  Britain  was  proclaimed  in  1812,  the 
patriotic  feeling  inherited  from  his  sire  caused  him  to  enroll  his 
name  among  his  country's  defenders,  and,  although  young  in 
years,  he  went  forth,  and  during  the  entire  campaign  bore  himself 
as  become  a  hero  and  the  son  of  one  who,  when  the  nation  sought 
its  independence,  was  ready  to  do  and  to  die  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  that  end. 

In  May,  1811,  Mr.  Hardesty  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hungate,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Hungate,  of  Ken- 
tucky, by  whom  he  had  nine  sons  and  three  daughters,  five  of  the 
sons  and  two  of  the  daughters  yet  living,  and  filling  honorable 
positions  in  society. 

In  1818  Mr.  Hardesty,  with  his  family,  left  his  Kentucky  home 
for  Illinois,  and  for  six  years  resided  in  Hamilton  county,  re- 
moving from  thence  to  Adams  county,  where  he  remained  four 
years,  when  he  came  to  McDonough  county,  arriving  here  on  the 


368  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

third  day  of  April,  1830,  and  securing  for  a  home  the  southwest 
quarter  section  9,  7  north  and  4  west,  now  Blandinsville  town- 
ship, in  the  neighborhood  of  the  well-known  "Job's  settlement." 
With  the  exception  of  some  three  years  spent  in  Missouri,  he 
lived  in  this  neighborhood  until  death  called  him  away. 

Mr.  Hardesty  came  to  this  county  before  it  was  organized,  and 
at  the  first  election  was  one  of  three  elected  to  fill  the  office  of 
County  Commissioner,  to  which  office  he  was  several  times  re- 
elected.  In  the  work  of  organization  he  showed  good  executive 
abilities,  and  much  credit  is  due  him  for  the  good  work  performed' 
in  placing  McDonoagh  in  the  front  rank  of  the  counties  of  the 
State.  As  one  of  the  County  Commissioners,  he  assisted  in  laying 
off  the  town  of  Macoinb. 

While  a  citizen  of  Missouri,  Mr.  Hardesty  studied  medicine 
with  Dr.  Johnson,  of  Savannah,  in  that  State,  and  during  his  res- 
idence there  built  up  a  large  practice.  On  returning  to  McDon- 
ough  county  he  continued  to  practice  for  some  years.  In  this 
field  of  usefulness  he  achieved  some  success,  bringing  to  bear 
upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  profession  rare  common 
sense  in  the  discernment  of  disease. 

Dr.  Hardesty  was  a  heavy  built  man,  full  six  feet  in  height,  fair 
complexion,  and  of  a  generous  disposition.  As  a  friend  and  neigh- 
bor he  was  greatly  esteemed,  his  willingness  to  accomodate  being 
proverbial.  In  the  family  circle,  he  was  very  strict,  his  word  at 
all  times,  being  law,  but  his  government  was  inspired  by  the  law 
of  love,  which  in  time  begot  love  for  himself  in  the  hearts  of  his 
children,  and  his  memory  is  now  held  dear  by  every  member  of 
the  family  remaining. 

Dr.  Hardesty  was  for  many  years  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  in  it  held  the  office  of  deacon.  His  Christ- 
ian duties  he  never  neglected,  and  in  the  support  of  the  gospel 
was  ever  ready  to  do  his  part.  The  two  great  commandments  of 
love  to  God  and  love  to  man  he  held  sacred,  endeavoring  to  dis- 
charge the  obligations  resting  upon  him  arising  from  each. 

Dr.  Hardesty  was  called  to  his  long  home  on  the  third  day  of 
September,  1875,  and  was  buried  near  Hillsborough  Church,  of 
which  body  he  had  long  been  a  member.  Elder  J.  H.  Delano,  of 
Blandinsville,  delivered  the  funeral  sermon,  and  his  body  was  laid 
away  to  await  the  summons  on  the  resurrection  morn.  He  died 
as  he  had  lived,  in  the  full  assurance  of  hope,  at  the  ripe  age  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  369 

eighty-two  years.  '-Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord, 
yea  and  from  henceforth  they  shall  rest  from  their  labors  and 
their  works  do  follow  them."  Dr.  Hardesty  was  buried  by  the 
members  of  the  Masonic  order  in  this  county,  having  been  a 
member  of  that  order  since  1812,  a  period  of  sixty-three  years. 
May  he  rest  in  peace,  and  may  we  emulate  his  good  deeds. 

WILLIAM     C.    MAINLINE. 

There  are  many  persons  beariug  the"name  of  Hainline  in  this 
county,  all  universally  respected  and  none  more  so  than  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Hainline  came  to  this  county  in  1838  in 
company  with  his  parents,  George  and  Flora  (Cockrell)  Hainline. 
The  elder  Hainline  was  well  known  as  a  man  of  strong  character, 
a  zealous  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
strict  in  the  observance  of  such  duties  as  he  regarded  right  and 
proper.  He  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  fourth 
of  June,  1791.  His  father,  the  grandfather  of  William,  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  that  State,  having  emigrated  thereto  with 
Daniel  Booue.  Mrs.  Haiuliue  comes  of  a  family  somewhat  noted 
in  the  affairs  of  that  State  and  in  Missouri.  Senator  Cockrell  of 
the  latter  State  being  a  relative.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hainliue  were 
united  in  marriage  in  1812,  the  latter  being  at  the  time  only  six- 
teen years  of  age.  Eleven  children  were  born  unto  them,  seven 
boys  and  four  girls,  all  of  whom  lived  to  have  families  of  their 
own,  and  all  immigrating  with  their  parents  to  this  State  and 
county.  Four  have  since  died.  Mr.  Hainline  departed  this  life 
in  March,  1868,  and  was  followed  in  October,  1870,  by  his  loved 
companion.  Both  died  as  they  had  lived,  in  the  full  assurance  of 
hope  of  a  glorious  life  beyond  the  grave. 

William  C.  Hainline  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ken- 
tucky, on  the  thirtieth  day  of  May,  1823.  His  early  life  was 
passed  upon  the  farm  in  his  native  State  and  in  this  county, 
where  he  arrived  on  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  October,  1838,  and 
settled  with  his  parents  on  section  6,  Emmett  township.  It  may 
be  well  to  remark  that  the  elder  Hainline,  the  father  of  William, 
while  still  a  resident  of  Kentucky,  was  in  good  circumstances 
financially,  and  would  have  never  left  his  native  State,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  curse  of  slavery.  He  was  a  strong  anti-slavery'  man, 
and  we  believe  there  are  none  of  his  descendants  but  what  viewed 
the  question  in  the  same  light  that  he  did.  William  remained  at- 
home  with  his  parents  some  ten  years  after  his  arrival  in  Me- 


370  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Donough  county,  when  he  purchased  for  himself  a  farm  on  section 
15,  Hire  township,  where  he  removed,  and  where  he  has  since 
continued  to  reside.  For  this  farm  he  paid  three  dollars  per  acre. 
It  is  now  worth  $60  per  acre,  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county, 
but  when  he  moved  upon  it,  it  was  wild  prairie  land  and  at  some 
distance  from  the  dwelling  of  any  one.  Fears  were  entertained 
by  his  friends  that  he  would  cut  himself  off  from  all  social  influ- 
ence, and  would  never  have  any  neighbors. 

Without  a  dollar's  aid  from  any  one,  he  has  by  his  own  indus- 
try and  good  management  acquired  considerable  property,  and  is 
to-day  the  possessor  of  five  hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  we 
have  in  the  county.  Mr.  H.  has  followed  no  other  business  than 
that  of  farming,  having  a  taste  for  that  alone.  His  health  has 
always  been  remarkably  good,  and  for  forty-four  consecutive  years 
he  has  labored  in  the  harvest  field,  beginning  that  work  when  only 
ten  years  of  age.  He  has  never  had  to  keep  his  bed  twenty-four 
hours  at  one  time  in  his  life  from  sickness  that  he  can  remember. 
Such  good  health  is  unusual. 

In  1849  Mr.  Hainline  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Logan, 
daughter  of  the  well  known  pioneer  Baptist  preacher,  Elder  John 
Logan.  She  was  the  second  white  female  child  born  in  the 
county.  Ten  children  have  been  born  unto  them,  and  all  living, 
save  two.  Each  of  their  children  were  born  in  the  house  in  which 
they  now  reside.  The  oldest  son  is  a  physician,  who  now  lives  in 
Missouri. 

During  the  days  of  the  old  Whig  party  Mr.  Hainline  was  a 
strong  supporter  of  its  men  and  measures,  but  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Republican  party,  he  has  been  one  of  its  most  earnest 
and  zealous  advocates.  The  strong  anti-slavery  views  of  his 
father  found  a  response  in  his  breast,  and  the  principles  of  that 
party  were  such  as  to  command  his  sympathy  and  support.  Al- 
though he  takes  no  very  active  part  in  the  work  of  the  party,  yet 
no  man  in  the  county  feels  a  greater  interest  in  its  success.  The 
annual  elections  always  find  him  at  the  polls,  and  it  is  his  boast  that 
he  has  never  scratched  a  ticket.  He  has  never  held  office  of  any 
kind,  nor  has  ever  desired  one. 

For  thirty  years  he  has  resided  in  the  same  neighborhood,  and 
in  that  time  has  never  had  a  quarrel,  a  law  suit  or  trouble  of  any 
kind  with  any  one.  He  attends  strictly  to  his  own  affairs  and  al- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  371 

lows  others  the  same  privilege.  Xo  one  possesses  a  kinder  heart 
and  none  are  more  accommodating;  he  is  always  willing  and 
ready  to  render  a  favor,  even  at  a  sacrifice  to  himself, 

AVilliam  C.  Ilainline  is  in  height  about  five  feet  ten  inches,  and 
weighs  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds;  his  complexion  is 
rather  dark  than  otherwise. 

WESLEY    HARLAX. 

In  the  fall  of  1834  AVesley  Harlan  left  Kentucky,  his  native 
State,  and  with  his  family  settled  in  Schuyler  county,  this  State, 
where  he  remained  some  eighteen  months,  when,  desiring  a  bet- 
ter location,  he  came  to  McDonough  county  and  upon  section  one, 
Industry  township,  erected  his  cabin,  improved  his  quarter  and 
reared  a  large  and  influential  family.  At  that  time  this  portion 
of  the  county  was  thinly  settled,  and  Mr.  Harlan,  contrary  to 
the  advice  of  friends,  settled  upon  the  prairie  about  one  mile 
from  the  timber.  By  this  action  he  was  supposed  to  be  deranged 
in  mind,  lor  without  timber  how  could  one  live,  what  would  he 
do  for  fencing,  fuel,  etc.  ?  This  question  Mr.  Harlan  proposed 
should  be  answered  in  the  future  and  we  now  know  he  was  right 
in  his  calculations. 

AVesley  Harlan  was  born  in  Barren  count}',  Kentucky,  Februa- 
ry 3,  1805.  His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Combs)  Harlan,  na- 
tives of  the  State  of  Virginia,  who  had  emigrated  to  Kentucky  at 
an  early  day.  The  early  life  ot  Mr.  Harlan  was  without  any  partic- 
ular incident,  and  in  the  way  of  education,  the  common  schools  af- 
forded all  the  knowledge  received  by  him.  In  his  youth  he  developed 
a  taste  for  mechanical  labor  and  in  manhood  this  taste  was  exer- 
cised to  a  considerable  degree.  Though  never  being  apprenticed, 
or  taking  a  regular  course  to  learn  any  trade,  he  acquired  a  knowl- 
edge of  many  by  self-application.  As  will  be  readily  understood  by 
our  older  readers,  the  service  of  such  a  man  in  a  newly  settled 
country  would  be  greatly  in  demand,  and  often  has  Mr.  H.  been 
required  to  leave  his  own  work  that  he  might  assist  a  neighbor 
out  of  a  difficulty,  in  which  skill  was  required.  Whether  in  build- 
ing or  repairing  a  wagon,  erecting  a  cabin,  or  making  a  plow,  he 
could  turn  his  hand  to  either  with  equal  facility.  Shortly  after 
his  arrival  in  the  county  he  erected  a  horse  mill  near  his  residence, 
which  was  extensively  patronized  by  farmers  thoughout  McDon- 
ough and  adjoining  counties.  At  that  time  there  were  no  steam 
mills  in  the  countrv,  and  when  the  streams  were  low,  water  mills 


372 

would  occasionally  quit  running,  causing  the  horse  mills  to  have 
quite  an  extensive  run  of  custom.  All  persons  having  grain  to 
grind  were  compelled  to  furnish  their  own  horses  to  run  the  mill, 
each  await  his  turn  to  be  served.  Although  the  mill  had  a  good 
run,  yet  its  receipts  were  not  large,  on  an  average  not  over  fiity 
cents  a  day. ' 

On  the  second  day  of  November,  1826,  Mr.  Har]an  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nancy  Greenup  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky,  ten 
children  resulting  from  the  union — five  sons  and  five  daughters,  all 
of  whom  are  now  living,  save  James  W.,  who  died  in  the  service 
of  his  country  during  the  late  rebellion  as  a  member  of  the  10th 
Missouri  regiment. 

The  members  of  the  family  now  living  are  George  T.,  who  re- 
sides on  the  south  half  of  section  31,  JSTew  Salem  township,  and 
of  whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  these  sketches,  Wm.  M., 
Marcus  L.,  Lorenzo  I).,  Margaret,  wife  of  S.  F.  Hammer,  who 
owns  and  resides  upon  the  old  homestead;  Rebecca,  wife  of  Elihu 
Stockton  of  Eldorado  township;  Hulda,  wife  of  Daniel  Wooley, 
of  Crawford  county,  Kansas;  Eliza,  wife  of  Samnel  Kyle  of  Kan- 
sas, and  Chloe,  wife  of  Frank  Hall,  Mound  township.  Mrs.  Har- 
lan  died  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  March,  1864,  and  on  the  fourth 
of  December,  1867,  Mr.  Harlan  was  again  married,  this  time  to 
Mary  Osborne,  with  whom  he  happily  lived  until  parted  by 
death.  She  resides  with  her  step-daughter,  Mrs.  Hall. 

Wesley  Harlan  for  over  forty  years  was  a  consistent  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  in  the  Master's  work  had  great  delight, 
especially  in  singing  the  songs  of  praise.  He  for  many  years  con- 
ducted the  musical  part  of  the  exercises  of  the  Lord's  house  in  his 
own  congregation.  In  his  death  the  church  lost  a  valuable  mem- 
ber and  an  efficient  worker. 

Ii?  politics  Mr.  Harlan  was  originally  a  Whig,  and  on  the  or- 
ganization of  the^Republican  party  gave  adhesion  to  its  principles, 
notwithstanding  he  was  from  a  slave  state  and  the  principles  of 
that  party  antagonistic  to  all  his  previous  teachings.  He  was 
very  fi^m  in  his  views,  and  did  not  fear  to  express  his  sentiments 
upon  all  occasions.  Wesley  Harlan  was  fully  six  feet  in  height, 
slender  built  and  of  a  robust  constitution.  He  was  naturally  very 
spry  and  always,  walked  with  a  quick  motion.  In  the  govern- 
ment of  his  family  he  was  mild,  but  always  exacted  obedience. 
As  a  friend  and  neighbor,  he  was  kind  and  obliging.  His  death 
occurred  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  January,  1874. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  373 

GEORGE    TAYLOR     HARLAN. 

In  the  sketches  of  leading  citizens  of  our  county,  we  give  prom- 
inent lawyers,  prominent  merchants,  prominent  mechanics,  and 
prominent  farmers,  and  in  this  latter  class  may  well  be  placed  he 
one  of  whom  we  now  write,  who,  though  not  born  in  the  county,  has 
spent  almost  his  entire  life  here,  and  is  well  known  to  all  our  older 
citizens.  His  father,  Wesley  Harlan,  was  also  well  known  to 
every  one  throughout  the  whole  county,  and  in  the  early  day  the 
old  horse  mill,  owned  by  him,  received  patronage  from  all  parts 
of  this  and  adjoining  counties.  His  mother  was  j^ancy  (Greenup) 
Harlan,  a  sister  of  "Uncle  Johnny  Greenup,"  another  of  the  old 
pioneers,  and  one  well  known  to  every  citizen  of  the  county.  His 
parents  were  married  in  Kentucky,  from  whence  they  came  to 
Schuyler  county,  in  this  State,  where  they  remained  a  short  time, 
coming  from  that  county  to  McDonough  in  the  fall  of  1834,  set- 
tling on  section  1,  Industry  township,  where  they  remained  until 
the  day  of  their  death. 

George  Taylor  Harlan  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  twenty-ninth  day  of  December,  1827,  and  when  only  seven  years 
of  age  was  brought  to  this  county,  where  his  entire  life  has  since 
been  spent.  When  old  enough  to  attend  to  the  duties,  he  was 
put  in  charge  of  the  old  horse  mill,  previously  spoken  of,  and  for 
years  waited  upon  the  customers,  measuring  out  the  toll  received 
in  payment  for  grinding.  This  old  mill  was  a  noted  institution  in  its 
day,  and  when  the  water  in  the  streams  was  low,  and  grinding 
could  not  be  done  by  the  mills  situated  thereon,  it  was  taxed  to 
its  utmost  capacity,  and  day  and  night  was  kept  busy. 

In  youth  George  was  a  quiet,  steady  lad,  always  standing  well 
with  his  neighbors.  As  the  opportunity  offered,  he  attended  the 
common  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  obtaining  therein  a  fair 
English  education. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  December,  1856,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Talitha  C.  Yocum,  daughter  of  the  old  pioneer 
and  well-known  citizen,  Major  Stephen  Yocum,  by  whom  he  has 
had  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  yet  living.  The  family 
are  yet  living  upon  the  farm  to  which  the  young  couple  removed 
when  first  married,  but  the  number  of  acres  have  increased  until 
they  number  more  than  a  half  section  ;  the  little  frame  house 
"just  big  enough  for  two,  you  know,"  has  given  place  to  one  of 
H— 24 


374  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

the  neatest  and  best  farm  houses  in  New  Salem  township,  with 
room  enough  to  entertain  a  score  of  friends,  whom  they  number 
by  hundreds.  The  situation  of  their  house  could  not  be  improved, 
and  its  entire  surroundings  betoken  the  good  taste  of  the  master 
and  mistress  of  the  mansion.  The  farm  is  also  one  of  the  best  in 
the  entire  township,  every  rod  of  it  under  cultivation,  and  all  well 
improved.  The  entire  surroundings  of  the  place  show  careful 
management,  there  being  no  plows,  harrows  or  reapers  laying 
around  exposed  to  the  rain  and  rust,  but  all  carefully  housed  and 
cared  for  until  time  to  be  used.  We  herein  see  the  secret  of  his 
success.  Starting  in  life  without  capital,  with  only  a  pair  of  stout 
hands  and  a  willing  heart,  we  see  him  to-day  one  of  the  foremost 
farmers  in  his  section  of  country,  with  a  farm  of  some  hundreds  of 
acres  of  the  finest  land  in  the  county  or  State — all  the  result  of 
his  own  labor,  aided  by  a  true  helpmeet  in  his  wife. 

Mr.  Harlan  has  never  held  a  public  office,  but  it  is  not  on  ac- 
count of  a  lack  of  confidence  shown  in  him  by  his  friends,  but  for 
the  reason  that  he  has  never  aspired  to  any  official  station,  being 
content  to  occupy  an  humble  position  in  society,  surrounded  by 
his  wife,  children  and  friends.  He  is  a  man  that  enjoys  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  all  his  acquaintances,  and  no  one  stands 
higher  in  the  community  than  he.  In  the  family  circle  he  is  kind 
and  pleasant,  having  the  love  of  the  entire  household.  He  has 
never,  we  believe,  made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  is  in  every 
respect  a  strictly  moral  man,  observing  the  golden  rule,  "  Do  unto 
others  as  you  would  others  should  do  unto  you."  No  man  can 
truly  charge  him  with  obtaining  any  of  his  goods  by  deceit  or 
through  unfair  dealings. 

Mr.  Harlan  is  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  slimly  built, 
but  of  considerably  physical  endurance,  and  will  doubtless  live  to 
a  ripe  old  age. 

HON.  HUMPHREY  IIORRABIN. 

As  an  illustration  of  what  young  men  can  do  for  themselves 
even  when  opportunities  for  improvements  are  indeed  meager,  we 
would  call  attention  to  the  following  sketch  of  Hon.  Humphrey 
Horrabin,  of  Blandinsville,  township.  Mr.  Horrabin  was  born  in 
Allerton,  near  Liverpool,  England,  on  the  fifteenth  of  December, 
1846.  His  parents,  James  and  Frances  (Sharpless)  Horrabin,  were 
poor  in  this  world's  goods,  and  gave  him  the  opportunity  to  at- 
tend the  subscription  school  of  his  native  country  only  a  few 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  375 

months.  But  he  was  instructed  well  in  the  doctrines  of  the  church, 
its  discipline,  etc.  In  1820,  when  thirteen  years  of  age,  he 
was  bound  an  apprentice  to  learn  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  the  time 
of  his  service  to  be  seven  years.  Completing  the  required  time  as 
an  apprentice,  he  continued  at  the  trade  as  a  journeyman  until  his 
removal  to  this  country  and  for  ten  years  thereafter. 

On  the  third  day  of  October,  1836,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Smalley,  of  England,  by  whom  he  had  six  children, 
only  one  of  whom  is  now  living.  Mrs.  Horrabin  died  at  her  home 
near  Blandinsville,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  July,  1870,  in  the  full 
assurance  of  faith,  having  been  a  servant  of  Christ  for  many 
years  as  a  zealous  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
After  working  at  hia  trade  in  the  old  country  for  eighteen 
years,  Mr.  Horrabin  was  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  no 
opportunity  was  offered  there,  even  to  the  most  industrious,  for 
any  very  rapid  advancement,  and  turning  his  eyes  towards  the  new 
world  he  determined  on  emigrating  and  endeavoring  to  build  up 
a  name  and  home  for  himself  and  family.  In  the  spring  of  1847 
he  sailed  for  America,  and  in  due  time  arrived  in  S"ew  Orleans, 
from  which  place  he  proceeded  to  Lewistown,  Fulton  county,  Illi- 
nois. Here  he  engaged  as  a  journeyman,  and  as  such  worked 
for  some  months.  In  coming  to  this  country  he  had  not  the 
means  to  bring  his  family,  therefore  it  was  his  first  thought  to  ac- 
cumulate money  enough  to  send  for  them.  In  order  to  do  this,he 
thought  best  to  only  draw  so  much  of  his  wages  per  week  as 
would  be  necessary  for  his  individual  wants,  and  leave  the  balance 
until  it  should  be  sufficient  for  his  purpose.  When  the  sum  had 
reached  two  hundred  dollars  he  concluded  to  draw  it,  but  on  call- 
ing for  it  he  was  informed  by  the  firm  they  could  not  pay  as  they 
were  bankrupt.  This  was  a  sad  blow  to  him.  After  working  hard 
for  months  and  stinting  himself  in  the  enjoyments  of  the  many  com- 
forts of  this  life,  to  be  deprived  of  all  his  hard  earnings  and  the 
privilege  of  again  beholding  his  family  for  many  months.  lie  was 
now  thrown  out  of  employment,  but  right  here,  when  all  seemed 
dark  to  him,  a  ray  of  light  appeared,  and  he  thanked  God  he  was 
now  in  a  Christian  land,  and,  though  the  ties  of  kindred  bound 
them  not  together,  a  better  principle  than  all  prevailed — love  to 
thy  neighbor.  Leading  citizens  of  the  place  came  to  his  assist- 
ance, purchasing  for  him  a  stock  of  leather,  tools,  etc.,  and  giving 
him  his  own  time  to  pay.  He  was  thus  enabled  to  go  on,  and 


376  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  gathering  around  him  his  loved  fam- 
ily. These  "Good  Samaritans"  of  Lewis! own  will  always  hold  a 
warm  place  in  his  heart. 

Mr.  Horrahin  remained  in  Lewistown  five  years,  when,  think- 
ing to  better  himself,  he  purchased  of  Charles  Chandler,  Esq.,  of 
Macomb,  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  14,  Blandinsville  town- 
ship, where  he  yet  resides.  He  paid  for  the  quarter  $300,  and  has 
since  repeatedly  refused  $10,000  for  it.  "Without  any  previous  ex- 
perience in  farm  life  he  began  its  improvement,  and  to-day  has 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county.  In  1859,  becoming  somewhat 
pressed  financially  by  the  failure  of  many  of  the  banks  of  the 
country,  and  in  order  to  relieve  himself  the  more  speedily,  he 
rented  his  farm,  and  moving  into  Tennessee,  this  county,  he  again 
returned  to  his  trade  which  he  continued  for  five  years,  at  the  ex- 
piration of  which  time  he  returned  to  the  farm.  While  in  Ten- 
nessee the  dark  war  clouds  hovered  over  the  country,  and  upon 
the  side  of  the  Union  Mr.  H.  arrayed  himself,  and  on  account  of 
the  expression  of  his  sentiments  he  was  cordially  hated  by  those 
opposed  to  the  war.  The  firm  stand  taken  by  him  during  these 
trying  times  secured  tor  him  the  warm  and  earnest  support  of  his 
Republican  friends  and  in  the  County  Convention  in  1868,  he  re- 
ceived the  nomination  for  Representative  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, to  which  position  he  was  triumphantly  elected,  and  where  he 
served  with  honor  to  himself  and  constituents. 

Mr.  Horrabin,  since  his  thirteenth  year  has  been  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  with  that  body  of  earnest  Christian  work- 
ers, he  has  labored  for  many  years,  taking  an  active  part  in  all 
church  and  Sunday  school  work.  He  is  likewise  a  strong  temper- 
ance man. 

In  1872,  he  concluded  once  more  to  visit  his  aged  mother  and 
the  scenes  of  his  childhood.  The  visit  was  a  pleasant  one,  the 
memory  of  which  will  never  be  forgotten.  While  there  he  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Mary  Ockleshaw,  whom  he  prevailed  to 
accompany  him  home  as  a  bride.  Their  union  has  been  blessed 
with  one  child. 

HON.    JOHN  HUSTON. 

An  old  pioneer,  well  beloved  by  all  who  were  acquainted  with 
him  (and  their  names  are  legion),  was  John  Huston,  of  Blandins- 
ville township — one  who,  in  the  early  history  of  the  county,  took 
an  active  part  in  its  organization,  and  who  filled  several  important 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  377 

positions  of  trust,  but  of  whom  it  can  well  be  said,  "  the  office 
sought  the  man  and  not  the  man  the  office." 

John  Huston  was  born  near  Sparta,  White  county,  Tennessee, 
May  17,  1808.  His  parents  were  Walter  and  !S~ancy  (Bradshaw) 
Huston,  the  former  being  a  Virginian  by  birth  and  the  latter  a 
Kentuckiau.  Both  were  hard-working,  industrious  people,  poor 
in  this  world's  goods,  and  therefore  the  advantages  afforded  their 
children  were  but  few  to  attain  anything  like  a  fair  education.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  had  only  a  limited  knowledge  of  his  mother 
tongue,  together  with  the  sciences  taught  in  the  schools  of  the  day, 
having  the  opportunity  of  attending  only  such  schools  as  gave  in- 
struction in  the  simple  rudiments  of  the  language;  but,  as  will  be 
observed  by  readers  of  this  sketch,  the  little  knowledge  obtained, 
combined  with  rare  good  sense  and  judgment,  enabled  him  to 
make  his  way  in  the  world  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to 
those  whom  he  represented  in  the  councils  of  his  adopted  State 
and  county. 

Before  reaching  his  majority,  Mr.  Huston  led  to  the  marriage 
altar  Miss  Ann  Melvin,  with  whom  he  happily  lived  until  separ- 
ated by  death.  They  were  married  in  his  native  county,  on  the 
second  day  of  October,  1828,  and  twelve  days  thereafter  the  young 
couple,  with  all  their  worldly  goods,  departed  for  the  great  West, 
intending  to  make  Illinois,  with  its  beautiful  prairies  and  grand 
groves,  their  home  for  the  future.  On  the  eleventh  day  of  Xo- 
vember,  1828,  they  arrived  in  Morgan  county,  where  they  remained 
some  sixteen  months,  when  they  came  to  this  county,  arriving 
liere  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  March,  1830.  When  they  arrived 
in  the  county,  all  they  possessed  of  worldly  property  was  one 
horse,  an  old-fashioned  one-horse  cart,  a  few  household  goods  and 
fifty  cents  in  money.  Selecting  their  claim,  a  log  house  was 
erected,  into  which  the  family  moved.  There  being  no  door  cut, 
a  log  was  removed,  and  all  crawled  in.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
their  life  in  McDonough  county,  and  dreary  enough  must  it  have 
been.  Well  might  they  sigh  for  the  comforts  of  the  old  home. 
But  in  the  hearts  of  each  there  were  no  feelings  of  despondency, 
but  a  resolute  determination,  with  the  aid  of  the  Great  Ruler  of 
the  universe,  to  succeed  in  life,  to  secure  homes  for  themselves  and 
children.  In  time  their  labors  were  blessed,  and  their  most  san- 
guine anticipations  realized. 


378  HISTORY  OF  M'DQNOUGH  COUNTY. 

When  Mr.  Huston  arrived  in  the  county  it  was  unorganized, 
and  in  the  work  of  organization  which  occurred  some  months 
after,  he  bore  an  honorable  part,  and  was  elected  the  first  Treas- 
urer of  the  county,  which  office  he  held  but  a  few  months,  the  du- 
ties requiring  his  presence  in  Macomb,  and  therefore  could  not  be 
attended  to  by  him,  without  the  loss  of  more  time  than  he  could 
spare  from  his  private  affairs.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  the  pay 
attached  to  the  office  then  was  not  what  it  is  at  present,  therefore 
the  work  performed  was  purely  one  of  love  and  not  for  any  pe- 
cuniary considerations.  Other  offices  of  minor  importance  were 
thrust  upon  him,  offices  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  by 
whom  he  was  elected.  As  previously  remarked,  he  never  sought 
office  at  any  time  in  his  life,  his  personal  feelings  requiring  to  be 
sacrificed  in  accepting  public  position,  but  in  1847,  he  received 
the  nomination  of  his  party  for  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention called  for  the  purpose  of  amending  the  Constitution  of 
the  State,  and  was  triumphantly  elected.  His  services  in  that  body 
were  such  as  to  secure  his  nomination  in  1850,  for  the  office  of 
Representative  in  the  General  Assembly.  Being  elected  thereto 
he  served  his  time  and  again  was  re-nominated  in  1852,  but  was 
defeated  on  local  grounds.  I!N"O  member  from  this  county  ever 
served  more  acceptably  than  he,  and  the  services  of  none  have 
ever  been  more  highly  appreciated.  He  was  no  orator,  never  hav- 
ing given  any  special  attention  to  public  speaking,  the  labors  of 
life  being  in  tilling  the  soil,  and  whatever  talent  he  may  have  had 
for  oratory  was  never  cultivated.  He  was  a  man  of  but  few  words, 
but  all  that  were  said  were  direct  to  the  point,  the  meaning  be- 
ing plain  and  manifest  to  all.  Common  sense  was  characteristic  of 
the  man  in  all  that  he  said  or  done.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat of  the  Jackson  school,  but  his  politics  never  interfered  with 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a  public  officer,  and  other  qualities 
of  the  man  of  which  mention  is  made  further  on  in  this  sketch 
endeared  him  to  many  outside  of  his  own  party,  securing  him 
many  votes  belonging  to  the  opposition. 

When  Mr.  Huston  settled  on  section  3  there  were  only  about 
six  or  eight  families  in  the  neighborhood,  and  probably  not  more 
than  twenty-five  in  the  whole  county.  The  first  winter  passed  in 
his  new  home  was  the  one  in  which  occurred  the  ever  memorable 
and  never  to  be  forgotten  big  snow,  of  which  mention  is  frequently 
made  in  this  work.  The  hardships  endured  by  the  family  were 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  379 

such  as  were  common  of  all,  serving  to  strengthen  them  for  the 
trials  that  should  come  after. 

Shortly  after  his  removal  to  the  county,  Mr.  Huston  became  a 
disciple  of  Christ,  uniting  with  and  forming  one  of  the  original 
members  in  the  organization  of  the  old  Liberty  Christian  Church, 
near  the  present  town  of  Blaudinsville.  It  is  the  unanimous  ver- 
dict of  all  who  were  intimate  with  his  daily  walk  and  conversa- 
tion that  no  man  ever  lived  nearer  the  foot  of  the  cross  than  he, 
none  more  closely  followed  the  example  and  teachings  of  "  Him 
who  went  about  doing  good."  "  Pure  religion  and  undefiled  be- 
fore God,  the  Father,"  he  practiced  daily  in  his  life.  "  Thou 
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  all  thy  mind, 
and  thy  neighbor  as  thy  self,"  was  exemplified  in  all  that  he  said 
and  done,  and  the  memory  of  no  man  is  held  in  more  grateful  re- 
membrance by  the  thousands  of  persons  throughout  McDonough 
and  surrounding  counties  who  were  recipients  of  and  cognizant  of 
the  favors  bestowed.  Pure  benevolence  was  a  part  of  his  nature, 
and  all  the  good  deeds  performed  by  him  are  known  only  to  the 
great  I  Am  and  the  recording  angel  who  makes  record  of  the  ac- 
tions of  all.  Many  instances  can  we  recall  to  mind  of  the  good 
deeds  performed  by  him  that  the  recipients  speak  of  with  grateful 
hearts,  but  which  otherwise  have  never  been'  known.  It  is  said 
that  to  accommodate  another  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  often  has 
he  taken  from  the  plow  a  horse  that  he  was  using  and  give  to 
him,  going  out  and  purchasing  another  for  himself.  In  the  settle- 
ment of  his  estate,  after  death,  his  executor  has  remarked  that  day 
after  day  parties  would  come  in  acknowledging  indebtedness  to 
him  of  which  no  account  had  been  made,  it  being  presumable  that 
he  had  sold  them  the  property  which  they  had  acknowledged  their 
indebtedness  with  the  thought,  if  paid,  all  right,  if  not,  it  was  all 
right  any  how.  He  never  sued  a  party  in  his  life,  nor  ever  was 
sued  by  another.  He  would  rather  suffer  wrong  than  do  aught 
that  would  directly  or  indirectly  injure  another.  Such  was  the 
man  John  Huston. 

Mr.  Huston  was  the  father  of  eight  children,  seven  boys  and 
one  girl,  the  latter  being  now  the  wife  of  Strawther  Givens,  Esq., 
of  Abingdon,  111.  Of  the  boys,  it  can  be  said,  all  now  living  oc- 
cupy honorable  positions  in  society,  two  having  been  called  to 
their  reward. 


380  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

John  Huston  departed  this  life  on  the  eighth  day  of  July,  1854, 
being  forty-six  years  and  two  months  old.  His  loss  was  deeply 
felt  by  friends  throughout  the  whole  State,  arid  his  memory  is  yet 
held  in  grateful  remembrance,  and  will  be  while  the  life  of  those 
living  who  were  intimate  with  him  shall  last. 

CHARLES   R.  HUME. 

Charles  R.  Hume  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  !N".  Y.,  on  the 
first  day  of  January,  1814,  and  is  the  third  of  a  family  of  ten,  five 
of  whom  were  sons  and  five  daughters.  His  parents  were  Robert 
and  Catherine  (Rose)  Hume,  the  father  being  by  birth  Scotch, 
while  his  mother  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  IN".  Y.,  but  of 
Scottish  descent.  His  father  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  this 
country  when  but  seven  years  of  age,  and  returned  to  Scotland  on 
a  visit  when  nineteen,  remaining  there  some  two  years,  when  he 
again  crossed  the  waters  to  America  and  settled  in  his  former 
home,  embarking  in  the  mercantile  trade.  He  died  in  1858,  leav- 
ing a  fair  amount  of  property  to  each  of  his  children,  and  to  his 
loved  companion,  who  yet  remains  upon  this  side  of  the  river. 
One  son  became  an  eminent  clergyman,  and  was  for  a  number  of 
years  missionary  in  India,  and  died  while  returning  home.  His 
remains  lie  sunk  beneath  the  waters  of  the  great  ocean.  Another 
occupied  an  honorable  position  at  the  bar  in  California. 

Charles  R.,  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch,  has  had  a  varied 
experience  in  life,  spending  the  first  fourteen  years  with  his  par- 
ents upon  the  farm  and  in  attendance  upon  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  county.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was 
sent  to  Jefferson  Academy  in  Snachwine  county,  JSr.  Y.,  where 
he  remained  between  three  and  four  years,  going  from  thence  to 
New  York  city,  where  he  clerked  in  a  wholesale  dry  goods  store 
until  the  spring  of  1837,  when  he  came  to  this  State,  purchasing 
two  quarters  of  land  in  Hire  township,  this  county.  While  com- 
ing up  the  Mississippi  river,  the  boat  blew  up,  injuring  quite  a 
number  on  board,  but  he  luckily  escaped  unhurt. 

After  purchasing  the  two-quarters  in  Hire  township,  he  went  to 
Indiana,  where  his  parents  were  then  residing,  remaining  there 
until  the  following  spring,  when,  purchasing  a  large  amount  of 
supplies,  he  returned  to  this  county  and  settled  upon  his  land.  His 
presence  was  regarded  with  suspicion  by  the  settlers  in  that  neigh- 
borhood, who  were  composed  principally  of  emigrants  from  Ken- 


381 

tucky  and  Tennessee,  and  who  hated  a  Yankee  with  a  righteous 
hatred,  and  looked  upon  all  persons  as  Yankees  who  were  born 
north  of  Mason's  and  Dixon's  line.  He  was  ordered  to  leave,  but, 
with  the  perverseness  of  the  Scotch  and  "  easy-go-care  "  of  the 
Yankee,  "  reckoned  as  how  he  wouldn't  go."  And  he  did  not, 
but  remained  at  his  post  and  conquered  the  prejudices  of  all 
against  the  race,  or  at  least  with  respect  to  himself. 

The  life  of  a  farmer  not  proving  attractive  to  him,  he  only  re- 
mained upon  the  farm  two  years,  and  when  the  town  of  Blan- 
dinsville  was  laid  off,  in  company  with  Joseph  C.  Blandin,  he 
erected  a  store-building  and  opened  the  first  store  in  the  place. 
This  he  followed,  in  connection  with  milling,  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Mexican  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Captain  Stapp's 
Company  of  Illinois  mounted  men,  but  was  never  sent  to  the  front, 
being  placed  on  detached  service  as  recruiting  officer,  with  head- 
quarters at  Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis.  In  this  capacity 
he  continued  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  at  St. 
Louis,  July  3,  1848. 

On  his  return  from  St.  Louis  he  again  embarked  in  the  mer- 
cantile trade,  continuing  in  it  until  the  spring  of  1852,  when  he 
went  to  California,  remaining  there  some  three  years,  during  which 
time,  in  the  town  of  Placerville,  he  read  law  with  his  brother 
John.  Returning  to  Blandinsville  in  1855,  he  continued  to  read 
until  the  following  year,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  having 
passed  the  examination  required  by  law.  Up  to  the  present  time 
he  has  continued  to  practice  his  profession,  his  principal  business 
being  confined  t'o  collections  and  criminal  law.  In  collection,  he 
is  Xo.  1. 

lu  political  life  Mr.  Hume  has  always  been  active,  in  the  old 
"Whig  days  being  a  member  of  that  grand  old  party.  When  the 
Republican  party  was  organized  he  identified  himself  with  it,  con- 
tinuing steadfast  in  its  principles  to  the  present  time.  Although 
living  in  a  strong  Democratic  township  he  has  been  frequently 
honored  by  his  friends  and  neighbors  with  public  office.  He  was 
for  nearly  four  years  Associate  Justice  of  the  County  Court  of 
McDonough  county,  resigning  a  few  months  before  the  expiration 
of  his  term  to  go  to  California.  He  has  also  been  notary  public 
for  rnaoy  years,  and  has  never  in  a  single  instancee  been  beaten 
for  office,  save  in  1858  for  Representative  in  the  Illinois  Legisla- 
ture, before  the  Republican  party  had  come  into  the  ascendancy. 


382  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

He  was  one  of  only  three  men  to  vote  the  Republican  ticket  in 
the  town  of  Blandinsville  in  1856.  For  nearly  twenty  years  he 
has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  that  village. 

Mr.  Hume  had  a  hand  in  settling  the  Mormon  difficulties  in 
this  county  and  State,  and  was  one  of  the  number  to  escort  the 
last  remnant  of  the  "Saints"  across  the  Mississippi  river. 

When  the  war  broke  out  in  1861,  Mr.  Hume  embraced  the  cause 
of  the  Union  with  his  whole  soul,  and  while  at  Macomb,  hearing 
the  remark  made  that  the  citizens  of  his  town  were  all  rebels,  he 
stated  that  he  would  prove  the  falsity  of  the  charge  by  returning 
home  at  once  and  within  one  month  reporting  to  Gov.  Yateswith 
as  brave  a  company  ot  loyal  soldiers  as  ever  charged  upon  the 
enemy.  The  company  was  raised  within  the  time  specified,  and 
its  history  (that  of  Co.  C,  78th  Ills.  Vol.,)  is  written  in  blood  upon 
history's  page.  On  the  first  day  of  September,  1862,  Mr.  H.  re- 
ceived his  commission  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  as  captain  of  Co.  C,  serving  as  such  until  December 
18,  1864,  when  he  was  mustered  out  on  account  of  disability.  In 
December,  1862,  he  was  captured  by  the  rebel  General  Morgan, 
and  paroled  upon  the  battle-field,  but  not  exchanged  until  Septem- 
ber, 1863.  "While  under  parole  he  was  stationed  at  Benton  Bar- 
racks, near  St.  Louis,  and  placed  in  command  of  the  Second 
Battalion  Illinois  Paroled  men,  and  was  also  made  judge  advocate 
on  general  court-martials.  The  most  important  battle  in  which 
he  was  engaged  was  Mission  Ridge  ;  after  which  battle  he  was  in 
the  forced  march  to  East  Tennessee  to  relieve  Gen.  Burnside.  He 
participated  in  many  skirmishes,  and  was  on  detailed  service  much 
of  his  time. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  May,  1889,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Harriet  L.  Blandin,  daughter  of  Joseph  L.  Blan- 
din,  the  founder  of  the  town  of  Blandinsville,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter.  The  daughter  is  now  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Edel,  Esq.,  proprietor  of  the  Edel  House,  and  a  for- 
mer member  of  the  llth  Illinois  Cavalry,  of  which  "Bob"  Inger- 
soll  was  colonel.  The  son,  R.  "W.  Hume,  was  also  a  member  of 
the  llth  Illinois  Cavalry,  joining  the  service  when  but  seventeen 
years  of  age,  and  serving  faithfully  until  the  close  of  the  war,  be- 
ing mustered  out  as  orderly  sergeant.  Since  coming  here  he  has 
held  the  office  of  postmaster,  and  for  some  years  engaged  in  the 
drug  and  hardware  business. 


383 

Captain  Hume  is  of  medium  height,  well  built,  and  when 
'  vouug  must  have  been  quite  stout  and  very  active.  He  wears  full 
ii  beard,  which  is  quite  gray. 

As  a  citizen  and  neighbor  he  has  always  stood  well,  enjoying 
1  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  alike,  Such  is  Captain  Charles 
R.  Hume. 

JAMES    IRWIX. 

The  subject  of  our  present  sketch  is  a  native  of  the  State  of 
Ohio,  having  been  born  in  Knox  county,  of  that  commonwealth, 
on  the  fifth  day  of  September,  1814.     His  father,  James  Irwin,Sr., 
was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  while  his  mother,  Susan  (Holt) Irwin, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania.     They  were  in  very  moderate  circum- 
stances at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  James,  who,  when  but  five  years 
of  age,  was  sent  to  a  common  district  school,  remaining  there 
until  old  enough  to  become  useful  on  a  farm,  when  he  was  given 
his  daily  task  with  the  rest  of  the  family.     "When  sixteen  years  of 
age  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn   the  trade  of  a  carpenter,  which 
business  he  afterward  followed  for  twenty-five  years,  endeavoring, 
as  a  mechanic,  to  do  his  duty  in  a  manner  to  receive  the  approval 
of  those  for  whom  he  labored.     "When  sent  from  home  to  learn 
his  trade,  his  parents  charged  him  to  be  careful  not  to  drink  too 
I  much  liquor,  as  it  might  be  injurious  to  him.     At  this  time  it  was 
customary  for  nearly  every  one  to  drink,  teetotalers  being  "  like 
'angel's  visits,  few  and  far  between."     James  had  an  uncle,  an  old 
> revolutionary  soldier,  who  received  a  pension  from  the  govern- 
Ement,  the  amount  being  annually  paid  him.     On  receiving  it,  this 
•  uncle  would  invest  a  goodly  share  of  it  in  whisky,  enough  to  last 
him  until  the  next  pay  day,  storing  the  same  away  in  his  cellar, 
and  frequently  imbibing  thereof.     The  habit  had  so  grown  on  him 
that  his  friends  became  alarmed,  and  hence  the  anxiety  of  James' 
'parents,  and  the  advice  given.     Mind  you,  they  did  not  advise 
him  to  abstain  from  drink,  but  not  to   drink  too  much.     A  little 
was  often  thought  to  be  necessary  for  the  bodily  health  of  the  in- 
dividual, and  St.  Paul,  good  man,  advised  Timothy  to  use  a  little 
wine  for  his  stomach's  sake,  and  surely  we  are  not  better  than 
Paul.     About  a  year  after  he   left  home,  an  opportunity  was  af- 
forded him  of  listening  to  a  temperance  lecture,  and  such  an  im- 
pression was  made  upon  his  mind  that  he  determined  to  sign  the 
pledge,  which  he  did,  faithfully  keeping  it  to  the  present  time, 
reasoning  that  if  he  did  not  drink  at  all  he  would  never  be  in  any 


384  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

danger  of  violating  the  promise  given  his  parents,  "  not  to  drink 
too  much."  This  first  pledge  was  only  to  abstain  from  the  use  of 
whisky,  the  milder  drinks  of  wine,  beer  and  cider  were  not  then 
supposed  to  be  injurious. 

On  the  thirteenth  day  of  August,  1835,  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  he 
led  to  the  marriage  altar,  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith,  and  for  forty-two 
years  they  have  traveled  the  journey  of  life  together,  having  been 
blessed  with  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  other 
having  passed  on  to  that  "home  beyond  the  rolling  river," 
where  it  awaits  the  grand  re-union  which  shall  take  place  in 
the  "sweet  bye-and-bye." 

In  1842,  he  espoused  the  anti-slavery  cause,  and  for  thirty 
years,  until  the  question  ceased  to  be  one  of  national  importance, 
he  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  principles  pertaining  to  the 
abolition  of  slavery  and  the  enfranchisement  of  the  enslaved  race. 
It  must  be  remembered  at  the  time  he  took  his  stand  upon  the 
side  of  freedom,  the  measure  was  not  popular  in  this  country,  and 
even  in  the  boasted  free  states  of  the  nation,  an  abolitionist  was  re- 
garded as  an  unfit  associate  of  decent  people.  "No  one  could  ad- 
vocate the  measures  of  that  party  without  doing  so  at  the  risk  of 
his  life ;  he  was  liable  to  receive  the  attack  of  an  angry  mob,  his 
property  destroyed,  and  either  to  be  driven  from  his  home  or  suffer 
death.  On  more  than  one  occasion  was  the  home  of  3£r.  Irwin 
attacked,  the  lights  in  the  windows  broken  out,  and  the  life  of  his 
dear  wife  and  little  ones  endangered  by  those  who  professed  to  be 
over  virtuous  and  the  salt  of  the  earth.  In  passing  along  the 
streets  he  has  been  pelted  with  rotten  eggs  and  other  missiles  in 
the  name  of  constitutional  liberty.  All  this  is  hard  for  the  pre- 
sent generation  to  realize. 

In  April,  1850,  he  came  to  this  State,  settling  in  Vermont,  Ful- 
ton county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  about  five  years. 
He  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  for  about  four  years, 
changing  the  same  for  that  of  a  miller,  purchasing  a  half  interest 
in  the  East  mill,  which  business  he  followed  for  four  years  more, 
when  he  purchased  a  farm  on  section  16,  Eldorado  township,  Mc- 
Donough  county,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside,  except 
when  attending  to  his  official  duties  in  Macomb. 

In  1872  he  was  elected  Supervisor  for  Eldorado  township  and 
re-elected  in  1873.  During  this  year  the  "farmer's  movement" 
under  the  name  of  the  "Anti-monopoly  Party,"  had  attained  con- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  385 

siderable  prominence  in  this  county,  as  elsewhere,  and  coinciding 
with  the  views  of  that  party  he  was  urged  by  his  friends  to  per- 
mit the  use  of  his  name  on  the  ticket,  and  consenting,  he  was  nom- 
inated to  the  office  of  County  Judge  and  elected  by  a  handsome 
majority.  He  has  now  held  the  position  for  four  years,  discharg- 
ingjthe  duties  of  the  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  having  busi- 
ness to  transact  with  him.  Although  not  having  the  advantage 
of  a  law  education,  he  is  possessed  of  a  good  degree  of  common 
sense,  which  enables  him  to  render  11  just  and  true  decision. 

In  1840  Judge  Irwin  made  a  profession  of  religion,  uniting 
with  the  Congregational  Church,  in  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  remaining 
in  connection  therewith  until  his  removal  to  Illinois  in  1850,  eight 
years  of  the  time  holding  the  office  of  deacon.  When  he  arrived 
in  Vermont  he  found  no  church  of  that  persuasion,  and  therefore 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  that  village,  as  one  hold- 
ing views  nearly  similar  to  the  church  of  his  choice.  For  eight 
years  he  served  in  the  office  of  elder  in  that  body.  He  is  now  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Macomb,  having  united 
with  that  body  since  his  election  to  public  office,  the  duties  of 
which  require  his  presence  so  much  of  his  time  in  that  city.  So 
far  as  we  are  enabled  to  observe,  he  is  a  devoted  Christian  man, 
having  the  welfare  of  his  Masters  cause  at  heart,  and  one  that 
never  shirks  labor  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  The  Sunday  school 
cause  finds  in  him  an  earnest  advocate,  and  few  Sabbaths  ever 
pass  without  finding  him  in  his  accustomed  place  in  the  school. 
If  not  at  home,  some  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  place  of 
his  sojourn  has  the  benefit  of  his  presence.  He  was  for  several 
years  Vice  President  of  the  County  Association,  and  organized 
the  first  township  convention  in  Eldorado.  The  present  efficient 
schools  of  the  township  are  in  a  great  measure  due  to  him,  he 
having  infused  life  into  many  of  the  lukewarm  Christians  of  that 
neighborhood.  Age  does  not  seem  to  lessen  his  ardor  or  devotion 
to  the  cause. 

Although  not  possessed  of  a  large  amount  of  wealth,  he  has 
amassed  sufficient  of  this  world's  goods  to  enable  him,  with  his 
family,  to  live  in  a  comfortable  manner,  and  every  dollar  was  ob- 
tained in  a  straightforward,  legitimate  way,  by  honest  toil  and 
strict  economy. 

Judge  Irwin  is  a  tall,  athletic-looking  man,  and  in  his  younger 
days  must  have  possessed  considerable  strength  and  endurance. 


386  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

That  he  has  a  mind  and  will  of  his  own,  his  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  freedom,  temperance  and  religion  will  testify.  No  coward  can 
can  be  a  consistent  advocate  of  either  of  these  great  principles. 
As  a  husband  and  father,  he  is  kind  and  gentle  ;  as  a  friend  and 
neighbor,  he  is  beloved  ;  as  a  citizen,  he  enjoys  the  respect  of  all 
who  know  him.  May  success  crown  all  his  efforts  for  good  in  the 
future  as  in  the  past. 

REV.    JOSEPH    L.    KIRKPATRICK. 

In  our  county  there  are  yet  living  many  old  pioneers  worthy  of 
the  name,  men  and  women  who  have  toiled  long  and  endured 
much  suffering  in  the  past,  but  who,  in  the  providence  of  God,  are 
permitted  to  witness  and  enjoy  some  of  the  fruits  of  their  labor. 
Few  men  now  living  in  the  State  have  witnessed  more  changes, 
or  had  a  more  eventful  life-history,  than  Joseph  Lane  Kirkpatrick, 
who  was  born  three  miles  south  of  Edwardsville,  Madison  county, 
Illinois,  on  the  twenty-second  day  ot  April,  1803,  fifteen  years 
before  the  admission  of  Illinois  as  a  State,  and  even  before  its  ter- 
ritorial organization.  His  parents  were  Thomas  and  Polly  (Lane) 
Kirkpatrick,  both  natives  of  Georgia,  who  emigrated  to  the  wilds 
of  Illinois  some  two  years  previous,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  better 
their  condition  in  life,  the  opportunities  for  acquiring  wealth  or 
honors  in  their  native  State  being  poor,  indeed.  The  elder  Kirk- 
patrick was  a  man  of  considerable  note  in  his  day.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  constitutional  convention  in  1817,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  the  preparation  of  the  first  constitution  of  the  State.  In 
1826  he  was  offered  the  position  of  circuit  clerk  of  Madison  county, 
but,  on  account  of  private  duties,  declined  the  honor.  He  was  for 
some  years  county  judge  of  Madison  county. 

The  old  log  school-house,  with  its  slab  seats,  puncheon  floors, 
and  window  lights  of  greased  paper,  was  the  only  institution  of 
learning  that  Joseph  ever  attended;  but,  poor  as  were  the  school 
facilities  afforded,  he  there  laid  the  foundation  of  an  education 
which  in  after  years  served  as  a  basis  for  more  extensive  reading 
and  the  application  of  the  knowledge  gained  to  the  proclamation 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

The  same  general  traits  of  character  exhibited  in  manhood  were 
shown  while  a  mere  boy  and  in  youth.  He  was  kind,  pleasant  and 
agreeable  in  his  intercourse  with  his  companions,  and  ever  ready 
to  do  a  good  deed.  In  the  care  of  brothers  and  sisters  younger 
than  himself,  he  was  ever  watchful.  An  incident  happened  when 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  387 

he  was  only  eight  years  of  age  that  is  indelibly  impressed  upon 
his  mind.  While  playing  upon  the  bank  of  a  stream  with  two 
brothers,  one  older  and  one  younger  than  himself,  the  younger  fell 
into  the  water,  which  at  that  place  was  very  deep.  The  elder 
brother  waded  in,  and  was  carried  down  the  stream  to  the  oppo- 
site side  and  drowned.  The  younger,  by  some  means,  floated 
upon  the  water,  and  was  carried  down  the  stream,  which  being 
observed  by  Joseph,  he  hurried  down  a  few  yards  where  the  water 
was  shallow,  pulled  him  out  upon  the  shore,  and  thus  saved  his 
life.  This  brother  is  yet  living,  and  a  citizen  of  Adams  county, 
Illinois. 

AVhcn  only  eleven  years  of  age  he  made  a  profession  of  religion 
and  united  with  the  M.  E.  church,  retaining  his  connection  there- 
with until  the  present  time  ;  and  among  this  zealous  and  God-fear- 
ing people  he  has  faithfully  labored  for  many  years,  and,  in  the 
hands  of  God  has  been  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  many 
souls.  In  1832  he  was  licensed  by  the  quarterly  conference,  at 
Jacksonville,  as  a  local  preacher,  continuing  this  relation  for  six 
years,  when  he  joined  the  traveling  connection,  being  appointed  to 
the  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  circuit.  A  short  time  after  entering 
upon  this  field  of  labor,  he  was  ordained  Deacon  by  Bishop  Soule. 
As  such  he  served  for  two  years,  when  he  was  ordained  Elder  by 
Bishop  Wah.  Elder  Kirkpatrick  has  done  a  great  deal  of  itine- 
rant work,  and  his  labors  have  heen  blessed  of  God.  He  was  the 
first  traveling  preacher  in  Iowa  City ;  traveled  seven  years  in  the 
State  of  Iowa,  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Xortheru,  now  Cen- 
tral Illinois  Conference,  of  which  body  he  is  yet  a  member.  At 
present  he  is  a  superannuated  minister,  being  too  old  for  the 
regular  work,  but  he  is  by  no  means  idle.  Frequently  he  is  called 
upon  by  the  Presiding  Elder,  and  other  ministers,  to  fill  their  ap- 
pointments, which  is  done  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  are  per- 
mitted to  attend  his  services.  In  the  evangelical  field  he  has  la- 
bored considerably,  and  in  protracted  efforts  he  has  been  eminent- 
ly successful.  Being  a  plain,  practical  speaker,  with  a  heart  full 
of  love  to  God  and  humanity,  he  presents  the  truths  of  the  gospel 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  carry  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  his  hear- 
ers. In  the  Sabbath  School  work  he  has  likewise  manifested  in- 
terest, but  the  nature  of  his  work  has  usually  been  such  as  to  pre- 
vent him  being  so  active  in  that  department  as  in  others.  Realiz- 
ing now  the  magnitude  of  the  Sunday  School,  his  prayers  ever  go 


388  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

up  for  those  laboring  in  that  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  In  the 
temperance  cause  he  has  always  been  enlisted,  and  as  opportunity 
afforded  he  has  spoken  upon  this  important  subject. 

Some  years  before  he  entered  upon  the  ministry,  Elder  Kirk- 
patrick  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Meriel  K.  Pratt,  in 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  Six  children  did  the  Lord  give  unto 
them,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  three  sons  and  one  daughter 
yet  residing  upon  this  side  of  the  river,  the  others  having  passed 
on  before. 

The  wife  of  Elder  Kirkpatrick  has  indeed  been  a  "help-meet" 
unto  him.  While  he  was  away  proclaiming  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ,  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  took  upon  herself  the  manage- 
ment of  a  large  farm,  and  for  many  years  had  full  charge  of  every- 
thing connected  with  that  work,  even  when  the  Elder  was  at 
home.  That  her  management  was  eminently  satisfactory  will  be 
admitted  when  we  take  into  consideration  the  accumulation  of 
property  which  they  now  enjoy. 

The  recollection  of  the  Elder  of  events  transpiring  in  the  early 
day  is  remarkably  good.  When  but  three  years  of  age,  he  was 
sent  to  school,  and  in  this  year  (1806)  occurred  an  eclipse  of  the 
sun,  the  remembrance  of  which  is  still  vividly  impressed  upon  his 
mind.  Another  event  was  the  murder  of  a  family  of  eight  per- 
sons by  the  Indians,  which  occurred  about  eight  miles  from  his 
father's  house,  in  1811.  An  earthquake  also  occurred  in  this  year, 
or  the  following  one,  which  shook  the  houses  for  miles  around. 
But  time  would  fail  us  to  record  the  many  scenes  which  he  has 
passed  through.  If  we  but  think  that  only  three  years  of  the 
present  century  had  passed,  and  fifteen  years  before  Illinois  was 
admitted  to  the  Union,  when  he  was  born,  and  that  all  the  re- 
markable events  which  have  since  occurred  he  has  been  an  eye  wit- 
ness, or  been  cognizant  of,  we  can  realize  something  of  his  life 
history.  The  war  of  1812,  the  Mexican  war,  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion, the  invention  of  the  steamboat,  the  railroad  car,  the  tele- 
graph, the  steam  printing  press,  all  these  within  his  recollection. 
In  the  war  of  the  rebellion  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  sent  two  sons,  As- 
bury  and  William  B.,  who  served  with  honor  to  themselves  and 
their  country.  They  were  engaged  in  several  of  the  most  im- 
portant battles  of  the  war.  ]STo  more  loyal  man  or  stronger  Re- 
publican ever  lived  than  Elder  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick.  At  the  age  of 
seventy-four  he  is  yet  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  and  that 


HISTORY  OF  IC'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  389 

he  may  live  many  more  years,  and  when  called  to  his  home  in  the 
sweet  by-and-bye,  may  he  receive  one  of  the  brightest  crowns. 
Of  his  good  wife,  who,  as  we  have  remarked,  has  been  truly  a 
"  help-meet  "  to  him  during  the  long  years  of  their  married  life, 
may  her  end  be  peace  and  joy,  and  as  she  passes  away  may  she 
receive  the  welcome  announcement,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faith- 
ful servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joys  of  thy  Lord." 


H— £5 


390  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

POLITICAL. 

Politically,  McDonough  county  has  always  been  classed  among 
the  close  or  doubtful  counties,  neither  party  having  sufficient 
strength  at  any  time  to  claim  it  with  certainty.  For  the  first  ten 
years  of  its  existence  party  lines  were  not  drawn,  the  citizens  of 
the  county  exercising  the  rights  of  the  elective  franchise  as  each 
thought  best  for  his  own  interest,  or  the  interest  of  the  country. 
The  anti-Clay  party,  in  general  elections,  always  carried  the  day, 
but  in  local  elections  the  best  men  were  generally  selected,  regard- 
less of  whether  they  favored  the  one  party  or  the  other.  In  the 
selection  of  County  Commissioners  locality  had  more  to  do  than 
anything  else;  the  county  being  divided  into  three  districts  each 
one  desired  to  be  represented. 

1830-39. — We  have  no  record  of  a  party  caucus  or  convention 
being  held  previous  to  1840,  unless  it  might  be  said  that  a  meet- 
ing held  in  Middletown  in  1838,  by  the  Democrats,  in  which  an 
effort  was  made  to  concentrate  their  votes  on  Jesse  ]STeece,  one  of 
their  candidates  for  Sheriff,  could  be  called  one.  At  this  elec- 
tion there  were  five  candidates  for  the  office  of  Sheriff',  three 
Democrats  and  two  Whigs,  and  at  this  meeting  in  Middletown  it 
was  hoped  to  effect  an  arrangement  by  which  Mr.  ^Teece  could 
get  the  combined  party  strength.  The  effort  failed.  The  Whigs 
generally  concentrated  on  William  H.  Randolph,  one  of  their  can- 
didates, and  he  also  being  personally  popular  was  elected,  the 
first  Whig  ever  elected  to  office  in  the  county. 

1840. — Both  the  Democratic  and  Whig  parties  held  regular 
conventions,  and  nominated  straight  tickets,  the  first  regular  party 
conventions  ever  held  in  the  county.  This  was  the  year  of  the 
"hard  cider  campaign,"  one  of  the  most  exciting  political  cam- 
paigns in  the  history  of  this  country.  Mass  meetings  were  held, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY  391 

ID  which  the  old  log  cabin,  representing  the  lowly  origin  of  the 
Whig  candidate  for  President,  Gen.  William  H.  Harrison,  was  car- 
ried around,  and  hard  cider  flowed  like  water.  The  same  general 
interest  and  excitement  that  prevailed  elsewhere,  were  exhibited 
here.  Large  gatherings  of  both  parties  were  held  in  various  parts 
of  the  county,  and  party  feeling  ran  high.  The  Whigs,  on  the 
fourth  of  July,  held  a  mass  meeting  and  barbecue  in  Macomb, 
and  the  Democrats  denounced  the  act  as  a  desecration  of  the 
day,  and  a  blight  settling  afterwards  upon  the  grove  in  which 
the  meeting  was  held,  was  said  by  them  to  be  a  judgment  of  the 
Almighty  against  their  proceedings.  The  "Whigs  charged  the 
Democrats  with  being  likewise  guily  of  a  desecration  of  the  day, 
if  it  could  be  so  called,  in  holding  a  public  meeting  in  the  vicinity 
of  Spring  Creek.  In  justice  to  the  Democrats,  we  must  say  that 
they  vehemently  denied  its  being  a  political  gathering,  but  only 
a  meeting  for  the  proper  celebration  of  the  nation's  birthday. 
After  a  most*  exciting  time,  the  Whigs  carried  the  county  by  ma- 
jorities ranging  from  twenty-live  to  forty-five — Colonel  W.  "W. 
Bailey,  candidate  for  the  Legislature,  receiving  the  former  ma- 
jority, and  General  Harrison  the  latter.  Among  the  incidents 
related  of  this  campaign,  was  one  of  John  Gibson,  who  lived  near 
Middletown.  He  was  a  strong  Democrat,  but  had  formerly  been 
a  soldier  under  General  Harrison,  and  had  the  utmost  respect  for 
the  old  warrior.  Though  he  would  not  vote  for  his  old  general, 
he  allowed  no  one  to  speak  evil  of  him  in  his  presence,  and  would 
get  fighting  mad  if  any  one  dared  to  do  so,  and  shaking  his  fist 
in  the  face  of  the  of  the  offender,  he  would  say  :  "Sonny,  don't 
say  that ;  if  you  do,  I  will  hit  you." 

1842. — The  Whigs  again  carried  the  county,  electing  their 
whole  ticket,  by  majorities  ranging  from  sixteen  to  twenty-two, 
with  the  exception  of  Coroner,  Charles  Chandler  being  beaten  by 
Benjamin  B.  Head  twenty-two  votes. 

1843.— The  tide  now  turned,  and  the  Democracy  carried  the 
county  by  majorities  ranging  from  eleven  to  one  hundred  and  forty- 
five,  excepting  on  County  Treasurer,  Iverson  LATwyman,  Whig, 
being  elected  over  Jesse  M.  Chapman,  the  Democratic  candidate, 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  votes.  The  cause  of  the  latter's  defeat 
was  attributed  to  his  being  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  there  being  a 
prejudice  in  the  minds  of  many  against  voting  for  one  of  his  class 
for  an  office.  At  this  election  the  interest  all  centered  in  the  can- 


392 

didates  for  Congress,  Hon.  Cyras  Walker,  Whig,  and  Hon.  James 
P.  Hoge,  Democrat.  Mr.  Walker  at  this  time  was  living  in  Ma- 
comb,  and  had  a  practice  which  extended  over  the  whole  north- 
western part  of  the  State  and  in  Iowa.  It  was  no  doubt  against 
his  will  that  he  accepted  the  nomination  for  Congress,  he  refusing 
the  proffered  honor  time  and  again.  As  mentioned  in  another 
part  of  this  work,  the  Mormons  had  settled  in  large  numbers  in  the 
adjoining  county  of  Hancock,  and  now  held  the  balance  of  power 
in  this  Congressional  District.  In  order,  therefore,  to  secure  vic- 
tory, it  was  necessary  to  secure  the  Mormon  vote.  Mr.  Walker, 
having  on  one  or  two  occasions  served  very  successfully  as  counsel 
for  Joe  Smith,  the  Mormon  prophet,  was  considered  by  the  Whigs 
the  most  available  man  they  could  present  to  catch  this  vote;  that 
with  him  as  a  leader,  they  would,  without  doubt,  secure  the  votes 
of  the  Mormons,  and  thus  carry- the  district. 

Joe  Smith,  the  prophet,  and  George  Smith,  a  leading  bishop  in 
the  church,  formerly  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Ma- 
comb,  and  well  known  to  Mr.  Walker,  both  wrote,  urging  him  to 
become  a  candidate  and  pledging  him  the  Mormon  vote.  Thus 
solicited,  Mr.  W.  became  a  candidate  and  entered  into  the  canvass 
with  his  whole  soul,  traveling  through  the  district  and  speaking 
night  and  day  as  opportunity  offered.  In  the  meantime  the  Dem- 
ocrats were  not  idle,  and  were  not  disposed  to  give  up  the  Mor- 
mon vote  without  a  struggle.  Some  time  before  the  canvass  com- 
menced, Joe  Smith  was  arrested  on  a  requisition  from  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Missouri  and  delivered  to  the  agent  from  that  State. 
The  writ  was  returned  satisfied.  Before  getting  the  prisoner  out 
of  the  State,  however,  he  was  released  on  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus 
issued  by  some  Mormon  justice  in  ^auvoo,  allowable  through 
some  peculiar  construction  of  the  charter  of  that  city. 

After  losing  their  man,  the  Missouri  officers  immediately  ap- 
plied to  Gov.  Ford,  of  this  State,  to  renew  the  writ  and  send  a 
force  of  militia  to  execute  it.  Mr.  Walker  went  to  Springfield  to 
resist  the  application,  and  the  governor  for  certain  reasons  refused 
to  give  his  opinion  in  the  case.*  The  Democratic  managers  had 
in  this  fact  a  weapon  they  used  in  an  effectual  manner  to  terrify 
the  Mormons  with — the  idea  that  if  they  voted  for  the  Whig  can- 
didate the  militia  would  be  brought  against  them.  Backinstos,  a 
leading  Democrat  in  Hancock  county,  went  to  Springfield,  and 

=::Sce  Ford's  History,  p.  316. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  393 

Governor  Ford  being  absent,  a  leading  Democrat  in  that  city,  in 
his  name,  gave  a  promise  that  if  the  Mormons  voted  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  the  militia  should  not  be  used  against  them.  They 
now  resolved  to  drop  Walker  and  take  up  Hoge.f 

On  Saturday  before  the  election,  Hiram  Smith,  brother  of  Joe, 
in  a  public  address  delivered  in  Nauvoo,  told  the  Mormons  that 
the  Lord  had  revealed  to  him  that  if  they  voted  against  Hoge*  a 
greater  curse  would  befall  them  than  befell  them  in  Missouri; 
therefore,  "when  the  Lord  speaks,  let  men  obey."  Word  was 
sent  Mr.  Walker  a  few  days  before  this  that  the  Mormons  would 
probably  forsake  him,  and  he  at  once  went  to  Nauvoo  and  sought 
out  Joe  Smith  for  an  explanation.  He  was  present  when  Hiram 
delivered  his  address,  and  was  very  indignant  over  the  matter. 
Joe  Smith,  likewise,  appeared  to  be  very  angry  with  Hiram,  and 
told  Mr.  Walker  he  would  yet  make  it  all  right  with  him,  and 
that  he  himself  the  next  day  (Sunday)  would  speak  to  the  people 
in  his  favor.  Agreeable  to  his  promise,  he  spoke  for  about  an 
hour,  eulogizing  Mr.  Walker  very  highly,  declaring  that  he  was 
no  politician,  but  an  honest  man  ;  denounced  those  who  should 
consult  the  Lord  as  to  how  they  should  vote,  and  declared  that  if 
any  should  do  it,  he  should  be  cut  off  from  salvation  ;  said  he 
should  vote  for  his  friend  Mr.  Walker.  But  in  his  hour's  speech 
one  thing  was  noticed  :  that  notwithstanding  the  strong  terms  in 
which  he  denounced  those  who  should  consult  the  Lord  as  to  how 
they  should  vote,  he  said  :  "Brother  Hiram  is  the  elder  brother;" 
"Brother  Hiram  never  has  deceived  this  people  ;"  "Brother  Hiram 
loves  this  people  ;"  "When  the  Lord  commands,  the  people  must 
obey."  The  next  day  Joe  did  vote  for  Mr.  Walker,  but  the  bal- 
ance of  the  Mormons  voted  for  Mr.  Hoge,  and  elected  him,  as  the 
Lord  had  commanded.*  In  this  county,  and  in  other  counties  in 
the  district,  Walker  was  denounced  by  some  of  the  Whigs  for 
trying  to  get  the  Mormon  vote,  and  it  is  said  he  lost  as  many  of 
their  votes  on  this  account  as  would  have  elected  him.  A  good 
story  is  related  at  Mr.  Walker's  expense  in  reference  to  this  mat- 
ter. On  returning  home  from  ^"auvoo,  the  day  after  the  election, 
he  was  met  just  west  of  the  square,  on  Jackson  street,  Macomb,  by 
some  of  his  friends,  who  were  anxious  to  learn  the  result  of  the 
election.  "Well,  Mr.  Walker,"  said  one,  "how  is  it  going?"  "I 
am  beat,"  said  he.  "Why,  how  is  that?"  "0,  the  Lord  spoke  to 

fSee  Ford,  p.  317. 

*Hawkins  Taylor,  in  Carthage  Gazette,  January  5,  1876. 


394  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Hiram  Smith,  and  the  Mormons  all  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.'7 
John  Long,  a  Scotch  Democrat,  overhearing  the  latter's  remark, 
spoke  up  :  "Look  here,  Mr.  Walker,  don't  you  know  that  when- 
ever the  Lord  speaks  He  always  speaks  Democratic  ?"  Not  deign- 
ing a  reply,  Mr.  Walker  gave  his  horse  a  cut  and  rode  off. 

1844. — At  the  August  election  the  Whigs  carried  the  county  by 
a  small  majority,  except  on  Congressman  and  State  Senator, 
while  in  November  James  K.  Polk,  Democratic  candidate  for 
President,  received  a  majority  of  five  votes  over  Henry  Clay, 
Whig.  In  the  November  election  about  two  hundred  less  votes 
were  polled  than  in  August,  showing  but  little  interest,  caused, 
doubtless,  by  a  general  apprehension  that  the  State  would  be 
Democratic  anyhow. 

1845. — A  light  vote  was  polled,  politics  not  seeming  to  enter 
into  the  canvass  at  all.  Robert  Bean  was  elected  County  Commis- 
sioner, Charles  Chandler  School  Commissioner,  and  W.  W.  Clay- 
ton Coroner. 

1846. — For  State  officers  the  Democrats  carried  the  county  by  a 
small  majority,  while  the  Whigs  elected  the  county  officers  by 
majorities  ranging  from  thirty-three  to  ninety-five,  showing  per- 
sonal popularity  of  their  nominees.  William  H.  Randolph  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  and  David  Lawson,  Sheriff. 

1847. — County  officers  equally  divided.  At  a  special  elec- 
tion in  April  the  Democrats  elected  their  candidates  for  mem- 
bers of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  sending  James  M.  Camp- 
bell and  John  Huston.  Isaac  Grantham  was  elected  County 
Clerk  and  Joel  Pennington  Commissioner,  both  Democrats. 

1848. — The  Whigs  were  again  victorious.  Zachary  Taylor  beat- 
ing Lewis  Cass  23  votes.  In  county  officers  the  Democracy  suc- 
ceeded in  electing  two  of  their  candidates,  Samuel  Calvin  being 
elected  County  Commissioner  over  Man  kin  Champion,  and  John 
P.  Head,  Coroner,  without  any  regular  opposition. 

1849. — We  find  the  Democrats  again  in  power,  carrying  the 
counties  by  majorities  ranging  from  23  to  92.  John  0.  C.  Wilson, 
Whig  candidate  for  School  Commissioner,  was  elected  without 
opposition. 

1850. — The  Democracy  still  victorious;  majorities  ranging  from 
5  to  136. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY,  395 

1851. — The  Whigs  carried  the  Treasurer  and  School  Commis- 
sioner, while  the  Democrats  elected  their  candidate  for  Surveyor 
without  opposition. 

1852.— As  a  national  party,  the  Whigs  made  their  last  great 
effort  for  control  of  affairs  in  the  nation,  nominating  General  Win- 
field  Scott,  a  hero  in  the  Mexican  war.  They  made  a  strenuous 
effort  to  secure  his  election.  In  this  county  the  excitement  ran 
pretty  high,  and  a  full  vote  was  cast  at  the  election,  the  Whigs 
carrying  it  by  majorities  ranging  from  1  to  87 — Scott  having  a 
majority  of  2. 

1853. — The  Democracy  again  came  to  the  front,  electing  their 
candidates  by  from  60  to  81  majority. 

1854. — This  was  the  last  year  the  Whig  party  put  forth  candi- 
dates for  office.  In  this  election  they  were  again  unsuccessful. 
As  a  national  party,  it  was  considered  as  good  as  dead,  and  there- 
fore, even  in  this  county,  where  the  chance  of  success  was  as  good 
as  that  of  the  opposition,  they  could  awaken  no  enthusiasm.  The 
Democrats  carried  the  county  by  majorities  ranging  from  24 
to  142,  with  the  exception  of  the  member  of  the  legislature, 
L.  H.  Waters  (Whig),  being  elected  over  John  E.  Jackson  by  a 
majority  of  one  vote.  Mr.  Waters  ran  not  only  as  a  Whig  candi- 
date, but  as  a  Temperance  candidate,  doubtless  receiving  some 
few  votes  from  Democrats  who  were  favorable  to  the  Maine  liquor 
law,  an  effort  being  made  to  secure  the  passage  in  this  State  of  a 
similar  law.  Mr.  Jackson,  believing  fraud  had  been  perpetrated 
on  the  part  of  the  opposition,  notified  Mr.  Waters  that  he  should 
contest  the  election  ;  and  the  latter,  feeling  that  the  question  could 
best  be  settled  by  appealing  again  to  the  people,  sent  in  his  resig- 
nation to  the  governor,  who  accepted  it  and  issued  an  ©rder  for  a 
new  election  on  Saturday,  December  30.  Both  parties,  metaphor- 
ically speaking,  again  stripped  themselves  for  the  contest,  and  the 
battle  was  warm,  indeed,  resulting  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Waters 
by  a  majority  of  nineteen  votes. 

1855. — The  Democracy  this  year  had  things  all  their  own  way, 
no  opposition  being  made.  The  "Know  Nothing,"  or  American 
party,  which  was  then  said  to  be  secretly  organizing,  probably  had 
not  yet  sufficient  strength  to  manifest  itself. 

1856. — On  the  death  of  the  Whig  party,  there  sprang  up  two 
parties,  neither  of  which  could  really  claim  to  possess  any  of 
the  vital  principles  that  gave  power  to  the  old  party.  The  Ameri- 


396  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

can  party,  believing  the  country  in  danger  by  the  influx  of  for- 
eigners and  the  alarming  growth  of  the  Roman  Catholic  power, 
emblazoned  on  their  banners,  "  Americans  must  rule  America  ;" 
"Put  none  but  Americans  on  guard."  Republicans  plead  for 
"  Equal  rights  to  all :  free  press  and  free  speech."  The  American 
party  made  very  rapid  growth  in  many  of  the  States,  particularly 
in  the  South,  while  the  Republican  party  only  secured  a  foothold 
in  the  North,  its  principles  being  deemed  antagonistic  to  some  of 
the  peculiar  institutions  of  the  South.  In  1 856  we  find  both  these 
parties  in  this  county  in  very  considerable  numbers,  each  striving 
for  power,  and  both  battling  against  a  common  enemy,  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  A  partial  alliance  was  formed  between  them  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  local  offices.  The  American  party,  though 
outnumbering  the  Republican,  was  at  a  disadvantage,  having  no 
newspaper  organ  through  which  to  express  its  views.  In  the  Con- 
gressional District,  of  which  McDonough  county  formed  a  part, 
in  consequence  of  a  vacancy  existing,  two  candidates  were  nomi- 
nated for  the  long  and  short  term,  and  it  was  generally  agreed  be- 
tween the  two  parties  that  if  the  Americans  would  vote  for  Jack- 
son Grimshaw,  the  Republican  candidate  for  the  long  term,  the 
Republicans  would  vote  for  Dr.  J.  B.  Kyle,  the  American  candi- 
date for  the  short  term.  As  will  be  observed  by  reference  to  the 
official  vote  recorded  elsewhere,  the  arrangement  was  pretty  gener- 
rally  carried  out.  For  ceunty  offices  the  Americans  made  no 
nominations,  it  being  understood  the  Republican  candidates  were 
not  objectionable  to  them.  See  table  for  the  general  result  of  the 
election. 

1857. — The  American  party  showed  no  signs  of  life,  and  the 
Republicans  only  polled  about  the  same  vote  as  the  year  previous, 
thus  giving  the  county  to  the  Democrats  by  a  large  majority. 

1858. — By  reference  to  the  vote,  it  would  seem  the  Republican 
party  now  embraced  about  all  the  membership  of  the  old  Amer- 
ican party,  only  losing  the  election  by  an  average  majority  of  200. 

1859. — From  the  returns  for  this  year,  it  appears  that  the  Dem- 
ocrats only  polled  about  three-fourths  their  regular  vote,  and  the 
Republicans  about  one-half,  showing  considerable  apathy  on  the 
part  of  both  parties.  The  Democratic  majorities  were  from  480 
to  566. 

1860. — We  now  come  to  the  memorable  campaign  of  1860,  one 
during  which  there  was  intense  excitement  throughout  the  country, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  o97 

not  equalled  even  by  the  hard  cider  contest  of  1840.  The  two 
favorite  sons  of  Illinois  were  now  rival  candidates  for  the  Presi- 
dency, and  such  an  effort  was  put  forth  by  the  friends  of  each  to 
carry  the  State  as  was  never  witnessed  before  or  since.  This 
county,  being  exceedingly  close,  was  made  a  battle  ground.  Some 
of  the  best  speakers  in  the  State,  of  both  parties,  were  sent  here  ; 
monster  meetings  were  held  by  each ;  the  "Wide-awakes"  and 
"Hickory  Boys"  were  out  in  force,  and  immense  efforts  were  put 
forth  to  influence  votes.  Both  State  and  County  tickets,  of  each 
of  the  parties,  were  claimed  to  be  unexceptionable.  A  vast 
amount  of  money  was  spent ;  and  the  final  result  was,  the  Repub- 
licans carried  the  county  by  majorities  ranging  from  11  to  127, 
though  losing  it  on  the  Presidential  vote,  Douglas  carrying  it  over 
Lincoln  by  11  votes.  John  Bell,  the  Union  candidate  for  presi- 
dent, received  62  votes  and  John  C.  Breckinridge  6.  A  larger 
vote  was  polled  at  this  election  than  ever  before,  and  the  charge 
of  fraud  was  made  by  both  parties,  each  against  the  other,  with 
what  truth  has  really  never  been  determined,  and  probably  never 
will  be. 

1861-64.— During  the  next  four  years,  viz.,  in  1861,  1862,  1863, 
and  1864,  the  Democrats  had  everything  their  own  way,  carry- 
ing the  county  generally  by  very  respectable  majorities,  save  in 
the  year  1864,  when  the  vote  was  very  close,  the  Republicans  suc- 
ceeding in  electing  their  candidate  for  Sheriff' by  a  majority  of 
five,  the  Democrats  carrying  the  rest  of  their  ticket  by  an  average 
majority  of  about  twenty-five. 

1865. — This  year  the  Republicans  made  a  great  effort  to  wrest 
the  county  from  the  control  of  the  Democracy,  and  succeeded  in 
electing  their  ticket  by  majorities  ranging  from  8  to  112. 

1866. — The  effort  made  in  1865  was  continued  this  year,  when 
the  county  went  Republican  by  the  largest  majority  ever  obtained. 
The  smallest  majority  received  by  any  one  of  their  candidates 
was  290  and  the  largest  424. 

1867. — The  Democrats  again  succeeded  in  electing  their  county 
ticket,  their  candidate  for  Treasurer  receiving  a  majority  of  17 
and  Surveyor  123. 

1868. — U.  S.  Grant  carried  the  county  by  two  hundred  and 
fourteen  votes  over  Horatio  Seymour,  and  the  State  and  county 
Republican  tickets  obtained  from  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  to 


398  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

two  hundred  and  fifteen  majority.     Considerable  interest  was  man- 
ifested by  both  parties,  and  a  thorough  canvass  was  made  by  each. 

1869. — Again  the  Democracy  came  to  the  front,  electing  their 
entire  ticket  by  majorities  all  the  way  from  seventeen  to  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-three. 

1870. — The  Democracy  again  in  front,  electing  their  candidates 
by  majorities  ranging  from  ninety-seven  to  one  hundred  and  six- 
ty-two. 

1871. — Considerable  scratching  this  year,  the  Republican  candi- 
date for  Treasurer  running  behind  his  ticket. 

1872. — The  Democracy  of  the  country  united  with  the  Liberal 
Republicans  and  nominated  Horace  Greeley  for  President.  This 
nomination  was  endorsed  by  the  Democracy  of  this  county,  the 
great  mass  of  the  party  heartily  supporting  the  ticket,  though 
there  were  a  few  who  did  not  support  Greeley,  as  will  be  seen  by 
reference  to  the  returns.  Grant's  majority  in  the  county  was  197, 
while  the  State  ticket  of  the  Republicans  only  received  an  aver- 
age majority  of  about  eighty-eight.  The  personal  popularity  of 
the  Republican  candidates  for  local  offices,  caused  them  to  run 
ahead  of  their  ticket,  I.  1ST.  Pearson  receiving  a  majority  of  275 
votes,  and  Samuel  Frost  244. 

1873. — This  year  the  opposition  to  Republicans  called  them- 
selves Anti-Monopolists,  and,  by  uniting  the  entire  Democratic 
strength  with  the  votes  of  such  Republicans  who  were  Grangers 
or  Anti-Monopolists,  succeeded  in  electing  their  entire  ticket  by 
majorities  ranging  from  172  to  226. 

1874. — This  year  there  was  a  triangular  fight,  three  parties  be- 
ing in  the  field — Democratic,  Republican  and  Independent,  the  or- 
ganization known  as  the  Anti-Monopoly  party  having  been  aban- 
doned or  merged  into  the  Independent.  About  seven-eighths  of 
the  regular  vote  ot  the  county  was  polled,  the  Republicans  being 
successful  over  both  the  other  parties. 

1875. — This  year  but  little  interest  was  manifested,  there  again 
being  three  tickets  in  the  field,  and  the  opposition  to  the  Republi- 
cans having  little  hope,  in  their  divided  state,  of  being  successful, 
but  a  small  vote  was  polled,  the  Republican  candidates  receiving 
a  majority  over  both. 

1876. — Success  in  various  States  for  two  years  gave  the  Democ- 
racy increased  hope  of  again  coming  to  the  front.  We  find  them 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  399 

this  year  thoroughly  re-organized,  and  under  the  old  party  name. 
Certain  abuses  in  the  administration  of  the  civil  service  of  the 
country,  gave  the  party  a  chance  to  demand  a  change,  and  under 
the  cry  of  "Reform,"  they  went  into  the  canvass  with  a  determina- 
tion to  win.  In  this  county  there  were  again  three  tickets,  the  In- 
dependent party  making  their  fight  upon  the  financial  question. 
The  local  tickets  of  all  parties  were  unexceptionable,  and,  on  per- 
sonal grounds  each  tried  to  obtain  votes.  The  principal  candi- 
dates for  local  office  ran  ahead  of  their  tickets  in  their  respective 
towns,  which  certainly  speaks  well  for  them. 

"With  this,  the  political  history  of  the  county  is  brought  down  to 
the  present  time,  and  by  reference  to  the  returns  given  below,  it 
will  be  seen  how  close  has  been  the  result  year  by  year.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  closeness  the  canvass  has  usually  been  very  warm, 
and  as  a  general  thing  men  of  unexceptionable  personal  character 
have  been  nominated,  each  party  trusting  the  personal  popularity 
of  its  nominees  will  increase  their  vote.  It  has  been  well  for  our 
county  that  such  has  been  the  case,  as  it  has  had  a  tendency  to 
make  each  more  watchful  of  the  interests  of  the  people,  and  not 
so  much  that  of  party. 

Below  will  be  found  a  carefully  compiled  record  of  election  re- 
turns for  each  year  since  the  organization  of  the  county: 

GOVERNOR.  Vote.      Majority. 

William  Kinney 56  49 

John  Reynolds 7 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Benjamin  V.  Geel 45  26 

Joel  Wright 19 

SHERIFF. 

William  Southward 28  1 

William  Garret '11 

Peter  Bilyer 8 

CORONER. 

Isaac  Barrett 41  19 

John  Seward 23 

1831.  CONGRESS 

James  Gurney  (long  term) 142                   126 

Sydney  Breese  (long  term) 16 

Joseph  Duncan  (short  term) 140                   124 

E.  Coles  (.short  term) 16 

1832.  PRESIDENT. 

Andrew  Jackson 128  107 

Henry   Clay 21 

GOVERNOR. 

Joseph  Duncan 1S7  117 

William  Kinney 70 

Joseph   McLaughlin 47 

STATE  SENATOR. 

G.  W   P.  McMackville 183  67 

Wm.  Chapman 116 


400  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1834.  Vote.      Majority. 

CONGRESS. 

WilliamS.  May 229  161 

Benjamin  Mills 68 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

William  Edmondson 239  159 

Peter  Butler 80 

1835.  '  CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

James  M.  Campbell 304  204 

Thompson  Chandler 100 

COUNTY   SURVEYOR. 

C.  W.  Bacon 175  17 

W.  W.  Bailey 74 

A.  Mayfield 158 

1836.  PRESIDENT. 

Martin  VanBuren 159  35 

William  H.  Harrison 124 

CONGRESS. 

William  L.  May 303  103 

John  G.  Stuart 200 

1837.  .  PROBATE    JUSTICE. 

William  Willis,  Dem 176 

Peachy  Gilmore,  Dem 183  7 

Richards.  Lowe,  Whig 83 

Henry  H.  Hardin,  Whig 51 

CORONER. 

John  P.  Head,  Dem 238  87 

John  L.  Russell,  Whig 151 

Robert  L.  Russell,  Dem 6 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

Benjamin  Naylor,  Whig  (no  opposition) 394 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem.  (no  opposition) 439 

1838.  GOVERNOR. 

Cyrus  Edwards,  Whig 332 

Thomas  Carlin,  Dem 3S2  -50 

CONGRESS. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Dem 365 

JohnG.  Stuart,;\Vhig 866  1 

STATE  SENATOR. 

Thomas  H.  Owens,  Dem....  342 

Sydney  H.  Little,  Whig 368  26 

SHERIFF. 

W.  H.  Randolph  (no  opposition) 


CORONER. 

Caleb  G.  Overton  (no  opposition) 

1839.  COUNTY    CLERK. 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem 51] 

Isaac  Grantham,  Whig 223 

PROBATE   JUSTICE. 

James  Clarke,   Dem 415 

William  Willis,  Whig .' !!!!!!!!.~""!.7.""!I     297 

COUNTY.  COMMISSIONER. 

James  Edmonston,  Dem 391 

Caville  Archer,  Whig ......./.V.".»V/.7»/«V//."V.V.*.V.      306 

COUNTY    SURVEYOR. 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 488 

Newton  W.  Chase,  Whig 15-> 

C.  L,  Overton,  Whig I!'.""'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.        99 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

Jessie  M.  Chapman  Dem 341 

CharlesM.  Bartleson,  Whig 128 

Benjamin  T.  Naylor,  Whig 186 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  401 

1840.  PRESIDENT.  Vote.      Majority. 

William  H.  Harrison,  Whig 472                    '  45 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Dem 427 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

William  W.  Bailey,  Whig 497                     28 

William  Edmouston,  Dem 469 

SHERIFF. 

William  H.  Randolph,  Whig 536                   196 

John  W.  Westfall,  Dem ?40 

John  H.  Westfall,  Dem 97 

CORONER. 

Benjamin  B.  Head,  Dem 299                   121 

Benjamin  Head,  jjem 163 

C.  L.  Overtoil,  Whig 178 

Scattering 72 

1841.  CONGRESS. 

John  T.  Stuart,  Whig 430                        3 

John  H.  Ralston,  Dem 427 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac  Grantham,  Dem 427                     78 

Benjamin  T.  Naylor,  Whig 359 

1S42.  GOVERNOR. 

Joseph  Duncan.  Whig 506                      19 

Thomas  Ford,  Dem 487 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

HughErvin.  Whig 488                      22 

Harvey  F.  Chase,  Dem 466 

SHERIFF. 

William  H.  Randolph.  Whig 500                     16 

Jonathan  H.  Baker,  Dem 484 

COUNTY    COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac  G.  Smith,  Whig 489                      14 

Joel  Penniugton,  Dem 475 

CORONER. 

Charles  Chandler.  Whig 437 

Benjamin  B.  Head,  Dem 459                     22 

1843.  CONGRESS. 

Joseph  P.  Hoge.  Dem 537                     39 

Cyrus  Walker,  Whig 498 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem 522                     11 

John  Fletcher,  Whig oil 

RECORDER. 

William  T.  Head,  Dem 569                     90 

William  Y.  Head,  Whig 479 

COUNTY  COMMISSIONER. 

William  Ferguson,  Dem 547                     57 

John  Clark,  Whig 490 

SURVEYOR, 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 589                    1^5 

H.  J.  Averill,  Whig 444 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

Iverson  L.  Tvvyman,  Whig 555                    117 

Jesse  M.  Chapman,  Dem 438 

1844.  CONGRESS. 

Joseph  P.  Hoge.  Dem 579                     32 

Martin  P.  Sweet,  Whig 5(i7 

STATE  SENATOR. 

William  McMillan.  Dem , 567                      7 

Pinkney  H.  Walkei,  Whig 560 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

H.  L.  Bryant.  Dem 531 

W.  H.  Randolph.  Wnig 578                      47 


402  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1844.  Vote.      Majority. 

SHERIFF. 

Jonathan  H.  Baker,  Dem 559 

David  Lawson,  Whig 587 

COUNTY    COMMISSIONER. 

Harrison  Hungate,  Dem 556 

JoimG.  Woodside,  Whig 576                     20 

CORONER. 

James  Anderson,  Whig 781                   715 

B.  B.  Head,  Dem 66 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER. 

Charles  Chandler,  Whig ; 767 

PRESIDENT. 

James  K.  Polk 484                      5 

Henry  Clay 479 

At  the  election  in  August,  1845,  a  light  vote  was  polled,  and  politics  do  not  seem  to  have  entered 

into  the  contest  to  any  great  extent.    Robert  Bean  was  elected  Commissioner ;  Charles  Chandler, 
School  Commissioner,  and  W.  W.  Clayton,  Coroner. 

1846.  GOVERNOR.  Vote.      Majority. 

Augustus  C.  French,  Dem    570                     28 

Thomas  M.  Kilpatrick,  Whig 542 

CONGRESS. 

Thomas  J.  Turner,  Dem 567                    25 

James  Knox,  Whig 542 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

W.  H.  Randolph,  Whig 565                     77 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem 188 

COUNTY    CLERK. 

Isaac  Grantham,  Dem 563                     33 

Isaac  G.  Smith,  Whig 530 

SHERIFF. 

David  Lawson,  Whig 612                     95 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 517 

COUNTY    COMMISSIONER. 

Joel  Pennington,  Dem 587                     90 

Samuel  Wilson,  Whig 497 

'SURVEYOR. 

H.  J,  C.  Averill,  Whig 552                      35 

Jeremiah  L.  Cross,  Dem 517 

1847.  DELEGATE  TO  CONSTITUTIONAL    CONVENTION. 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem 378                     50 

J.  P.  Gates.  Whig 328 

JOINT  DELEGATE     TO    CONSTITUTIONAL    CONVENTION. 

John  Huston,  Dem 407                     97 

John  H.  Mitchell,  Whig 310 

PROBATE  JUDGE, 

WilliamS.  Hail,  Whiff 444                     53 

Charles  C.  Hungate,  Dem 391 

RECORDER. 

William  T.  Head,  Dem 453                   182 

Nelson  Montgomery,  Whig 271 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

John  W.  Westfall,  Dem 448                   130 

William  L.  Broaddus.  Whig 318 

SURVEYOR. 

Henry  J.  Averill,  Whig 439                   104 

Ephraim  Swingle.  Dem 335 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

Isaac  Grantham,  Dem.  (no  opposition) 648 

1848.  PRESIDENT. 

Zachary  Taylor,  Whig 437                     23 

Lewis  Cass,  Dem 416 

Martin  VanBuren,  Free-soil 25 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  403 

134*.  Vote.      Majority. 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Josiah  Harrison,  Whig 583                     41 

George  Bughman,  Dem 542 

SHERIFF. 

David  Lau-son.  Whig 602                      45 

Jonathan  H.  Baker,  Dem 557 

COUNTY  COMMISSIONER. 

Mankin  Champion,  Whig 568 

Samuel  Calvin,  Dem 574                       6 

SURVEYOR. 

James  W.  Brattle    Whig > 571                     19 

Samuel  L.  Clark,  Dem 418 

Samuel  Clark,  Dem 134 

CORONER. 

John  P.  Head,  Dem 652 

Scattering 62 

1819.  COUNTY  JUDGE. 

James  Clarke,  Dem 606                     43 

Thomas  A.  Booking,  Whig 563 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

Isaf»c  Grantham,  Dem 612                     41 

Joseph  E.  Wyne,  Whig 571 

COUNTY   TREASURER. 

William  T.  Heaa,  Dem 633                     92 

William  S.  Hail,  Whig .'. 541 

SURVEYOR, 

William  H.  Rile,  Dem 590                     23 

James  W.  Brattle,  Whig 567 

John  O.  C.  Wilson  was  elected  School  Commissioner  without  opposition.    This  was  the  first  elec- 
tion under  the  new  constitution,  and  was  held  in  November. 

1850.  REPRESENTATIVE. 

John  H.  Huston,  Dem....                               543                   107 

James  B.  Kyle,  Whig 436 

CONGRESS. 

Thompson  Campbell,  Dem 532                     96 

Martin  P.  Sweet,  Whig 436 

SHERIFF. 

William  T.  Head.  Dem 549                   136 

Joseph  P.  Updegraff,  Whig 413 

COUNTY   TREASURER. 

Samuel  E.  Taylor.  Dem 476                       5 

G.  L.  Farwell,  Whig 276 

William   Cheney,  Whig 195 

CORONER. 

Lewis  Graves,  Dem 538                  109 

John  S.  Smith,  Whig 429 

1851.  COUNTY    TREASURER. 

Samuel  E  Taylor,  Dem 441 

John  S.  Wooley,  Whig 448                       7 

PURVEYOR. 

W.  H.  Rile,  Dem 569                    558 

Scattering 11 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER. 

J.  O.  C.  Wilson.  Whig 383                     68 

John  E,  Jackson,  Dem 315 

GENERAL  BANKING  LAW. 

For 472                       1 

Against 471 

1852.  GOVERNOR. 

Joel  A.  Matteson,  Dem....  841 

E.  B.  Webb,  Whig 844                       3 


404  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1852.  Vote.      Majority. 

PRESIDENT. 

Winfip.ld  Scott,  Whig 840                       2 

Frauklin  Pierce,  Dem 

John  P.  Hale,  Abol a 

CONGRESS. 

W.  A.  Bichardson,  Dem 836 

O.  H.  Browning,  Whig 859 

STATE  SENATE. 

J.  M.  Campbell,  Dem ™0 

J.  W.  Singleton,  Whig 820 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

John  Huston,  Dem 816 

J.  M.  Randolph,  Whig, 858                      42 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

W.  H.  Randolph,  Whig 838                      3 

W.  T.  Head,  Dein 835 

SHERIFF. 

S.  H.  Hogan,  Dem 788                      30 

Dr.  C.  Gillihan,  Whig 728 

B.  B.  Head,  Ind.  Dem ~~ 163 

PROSECUTING     ATTORNEY. 

J.  S.  Baily,  Dem 462 

D.  H.  Gilmer,  Whig 549 

CORONER. 

Graves,  Dem 833 

McCandless,  Whig 841                      8 

1853.  COUNTY  JUDGE. 

Thompson  Chandler,  Dem....   796                     74 

W.  H.  Franklin,  Whig 722 

ASSOCIATE  JUSTICES. 

Samuel  Calvin,  Dem 807                     95 

Silas  J.  Grigsby,  Dem 837                   103 

William  S.  Hail,  WThig 734 

James  S.  Hogan,  Whig 712 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

Isaac  Grantham,  Dem ...  804                     81 

Joseph  W.  Blount 723 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

S.  H.  McCandless,  Whig 721 

T.  B.  McCormick,  Dem 794 

SURVEYOR. 

William  H.  Rile,  Dem 783 

W.  P.  Barrett,  Whig 716                     67 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER. 

J.  R.  Simpson,  Dem 777                      60 

Mankin  Champion,  Whig 717 

1854.  .  CONGRESS. 

W.  A.  Richardson,  Dein 865                      24 

Arch.  Williams,  Whig ."".'.'.."!;.'.".'.!!!  831 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Louis  H,  Waters,  Pro.  and  Whig :...  .  819                       1 

John  E.  Jackson,  Dem 818 

John  Osborne,  Rep 1 

COUNTY     TREASURER. 

Francis  D.  Lipe,  Dem 906                   142 

John  S.  Holliday,  Whig 764 

CORONER. 

David  Reese,  Whig _ 796                     35 

Benjamin  F.  Broaddus,  Dem 761 

John  Friend,  Dem '.'.'.'...  19 

1855.  COUNTY  TREASURER. 

John  Knappenberger,  Dem..., 824                  261 

E.  B.  Bishop,  Whig 101 

Scattering 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  405 

1855.  Vote.      Majority. 

SURVEYOR. 

Charles  A.  Gilchrist.  Whig 247  81 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 141 

Scattering 25 

SCHOOL  COMMISSIONER. 

Thomas  E.  Brannon,  Dem 318 

Scattering ~ ~ 28 

1856.  PRESIDENT. 

James  Buchanan,  Dem 1,370  515 

John  C.  Fremont,  Rep 590 

Millard  Fillmore,  Am 864 

GOVERNOR. 

W.  A.  Richardson.  Dem 1,390  362 

W.  H.  Bissell,  Rep 1,088 

B.  S.  Morris,  Am 315 

CONGRESS. 

I.  N.  Morris,  Dem.  (long  term) 1,388 

Jackson  Gnmshaw,  Rep.  (long  term) 1,417  29 

J.  C.  Davis,  Dem.  (short  term) 1,357  185 

J.  B.  Kyle  Am.  (short  term) 1,162 

Thomas  C.  Sharp,  Rep.  (short  term) 255 

STATE  SENATOR. 

W.  C.  Goudy,  Dem 1,396 

W.  H.  Franklin,  Rep 1.426  30 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

*Vandever  Banks,  Rep 1,444  20 

George  Hire,  Dem «. 1..424 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

Wm.  T  Head,  Dem 1,464  126 

Joseph  E.  Wyue.  Rep 1,338 

SHERIFF. 

George  A.  Taylor,  Dem 1,496  174 

Isaiah  Dennis,  Rep 1,322 

CORONER. 

Benjamin  T.  Broaddus.  Dem 1,385 

J.  H.  Epperson,  Rep 1,418 

1857.  COUNTY  JUDGE. 

Thompson,  Chandler,  Dem 1,213  631 

W.  S.  Hail,  Rep 579 

COUNTY    CLERK. 

Isaac  Grantham,  Dem , 1,296  829> 

Daniel  Negley,  Rep 467 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

J.  Knappenberger,  Dem 1,225  675 

George  B.  Calvin,  Rep 550 

SURVEYOR. 
Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 1,221  663 

C.  A.  Gilchrist,  Rep 558 

SCHOOL  COMMISSIONER. 

Joseph  C.  Thompson,  Dem 1,247  1,212 

^scattering 35 

1858.  SUPERINTENDENT    OF    PUBLIC  INSTRUCTION. 

A.  C.  French,  Dem 1,951  183 

N.  Batemau,  Rep 1,768 


I.  N.  Morris,  Dem.. 1,944  170 

J.  Grimshaw,  Rep 1,774 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

William  Berry,  Dem 1,957  192 

C.  R.  Hume,  Rep 1,765 

*  Bushnell  precinct  was  thrown  out  by  the  Board  of  Canvassers.    This  precinct  gave  Banks  87 
and- Hire  29  for  Representative.    The  certificate  of  election  was  given  to  Hire. 

"  H— *26 


406  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1858.  Vote.      Majority. 

SHERIFF. 

F.  D.  Lipe,  Dem 1,968  215 

Strader,  Rep 1,753 

CORONER. 

J.  H.  Swigart,  Dem 1,941  177 

Neff,  Rep 1.7&1 

1859.  COUNTY  CLERK. 

J.  H.  Baker,  Dem 1,426  480 

J.  E.  Wyne,  Rep 946 

COUNTY  TREASURER. 

John  Kuappenberger,  Dem 1,476  576 

Lawrence  Nihill,  Rep 900 

SURVEYOR. 

S.  A .  Hunt,  Dem 1,464  556 

Thomas  Gilmore,  Rep 908 

SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDENT. 

J.  C.  Thompson,  Dem 1,460  566 

W.  E.  Withrow,  Rep 894 

1860.  PRESIDENT. 

John  C.  Breckinridge,  Dem 6 

John  Bell,  Union 02 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Rep 2,255 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  D'eni 2,266  11 

GOVERNOR. 

James  Allen,  Dem 2,283 

Richard  Yates,  Rep 2,300  17 

Thomas  M.  Hope,  Dem 4 

CONGRESS. 

William  A.  Richardson,  Dem 2,284 

Benjamin  M.  Prentiss,  Rep 2,299  15 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

James  D.  Walker,  Dem 2,071  127 

,S.  H.  McCandless,  Rep 1,944 

STATE'S  ATTORNEY. 

'Thomas  E  Morgan,  Dem 2,301  12 

J.  R..  Gordon,  Rep 2,289 

SHERIFF. 

Harvey  T.  Gagg,  Dem 2,251 

•Silas  J.  Hopper,  Rep 2,315  64 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

"William  T.  Head,  Dem 2,289 

J.  B.  Cummings,  Rep 2,300  11 

CORONER. 

F.  F.  Hatch,  Dem 2,251 

Isaac  P.  Monfort,  Rep 2,309  58 

1861.  DELEGATE  TO  STATE    CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTION. 

J.  C.Thompson,  Union  Dem 1,946  414 

Carter  Van  Vleck,  Rep 1,532 

COUNTY  JUDGE. 

Thompson  ('handler,  Dem 1,923  403 

S.  A.  Hendee,  Rep 1,520 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

Jas.  W.  Mathews,  Dem -  1,958  499 

Fred.  A.  Cruser,  Rep.... 1,459 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

John  Knappenberger,  Dem 1,943  424 

Henry  C.  Twyman,  Rep 1,519 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  Dem 1,925  385 

James  W.  Brattle,  Rep 1.540 

SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDENT. 

Louis  A.  Simmons,  Dem 1,930  384 

J.  W.  Blount,  Rep ],546 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  407 

Vote.      Majority. 

1862.  STATE  TREASURER. 

Alexander  Starne,  Dem 1 ,954  509 

Wm.  Butler,  Rep - 1,443 

CONGRESSMAN   AT  LARGE. 

James  C.  Allen,  Dem 1,954  516 

E.  C.  Ingersoll,  Rep 1,443 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

L.  G.  Reed,  Dem 1,945  503 

Geo.  F.  Hendrickson,  Rep 1,442 

SHERIFF. 

Amos  Dixon,  Dem 1,946  499 

Lawrence  Nihell,  Rep 1,446 

COKONER. 

Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Dem 1,957  574 

W.  K.  Scott,  Rep 1,443 


COUNTY  TREASURER. 

_    ,  Dem 

Socrates  Stevens,  Rep 


John  Knappenberger,  Dem 1,837  19 

Socrates  Stevens,  Rep 1,818 


SCHOOL  COMMISSIONER. 

John  Barge,  Dem 1,827  13 

J.  C.  Reynolds,  Rep 1,814 

SURVEYOR. 

A.  J.  White,  Dem 1,833  17 

D.  C.  Folsom,  Rep 1,816 

1864.  PRESIDENT. 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Rep 2,145 

George  B.  McClellau,  Dem 2,171  26 

GOVERNOR. 

R.  J.Oglesby,  Rep 2,157 

Jas.  C.  Robinson,  Dem 2,182  25 

CONGRESS. 

Hugh  Fullerton,  Rep 2,154 

Lewis  W.  Ross,  Dem 2,180  26 

STATE  SENATOR. 

James  Strain,  Rep 2,153 

Henry  K.  Peffer,  Dem 2,181  28 

STATE'S  ATTORNEY. 

P<  C.  Stearns,  Rep 2,151 

T.  E.  Morgan,  Dem 2,182  31 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Alexander  Blackburn,  Rep 2,146  39 

William  H.  Neece,  Dem 2,185 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

John  B.  Cummings,  Rep 2,1".7 

John  H.  Hungate,  Dem 2,170  13 

SHERIFF. 

G.  L.  Farwell,  Rep 2,169  5 

Lewis  F.  Smith,  Dem 2,164 

CORONER. 

James  H.  Epperson,  Rep 2,151 

J.  Sullivan,  Dem 2,179  28 

SURVEYOR. 

James  W.  Brattle,  Rep 2,148 

J.  B.  Nickle,  Dem 2,176  28 

1865.  SURVEYOR. 

J.  W.  Brattle,  Rep 2.126  8 

J.  E.  Morris,  D^m 2,118 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER. 

D.  Branch,  Rep 2,102  77 

William  Venable 21 

Theodore  Kendrick,  Dem 2,025 

COUNTY  TREASURER. 

W.  H.  H.  Hainline,  Rep , 2. 098  35 

J.  W.  Westfall,  Dem 2,063 


408  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1865.  Vote.      Majority- 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

William  Ervin,  Rep 2,124  112 

J.  N.  Chase,  Jr.,  Dem 2,012 

COUNTY  JUDGE. 

L.  A.  Simmons,  Rep 2,088  85 

William  H.  Jackson,  Dem 2,006 

1866.  STATE   TREASURER. 

George  W.  Smith,  Rep 2,753  415- 

Jessie  Phillips,  Dem 2,338 

CONGRESS. 

Charles  E.  Lippincott,  Rep 2,755  416 

Lewis  W.  Rofs,  Dem 2,339 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

A.  Hanson,  Rep 2,750  410 

William  Berry,  Dem : 2,340 

SHERIFF. 

Samuel  Wilnon,  Rep 2.667  290 

F.  D.  Lipe,  Dem 2,377 

CORONER. 

William  W.  Head,  Rep 2,756  424 

Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Dem 2,332 

1S67.  COUNTY  TREASURER. 

Sydnor  H.  Hogan,  Dem 2,007  IT 

Squire  A.  Epperson,  Rep 1,990 

SURVEYOR. 

S.  A.  Hunt,  Dem....  2,055  12$ 

DeWitt  C.  Folsom,  Rep 1,932 

1868.  PRESIDENT. 

Horatio  Seymour,  Dem 2,721 

U.  S.  Grant,  Rep .'. 2,935  214 

GOVERNOR. 

John  R.  Eden,  Dem 2,734 

John  M.  Palmer,  Rep 2,933  199 

CONGRESS. 

Thompson  McNeely,  Dem 1,730 

Leonard  F.  Ross,  Rep.. 2,934  204 

STATE  ATTORNEY. 

L.  W.  James,  Dem 2,729 

C.  H.  Sweeney,  Rep 2,832  203 

STATE  SENATOR. 

John  H.  Hungate,  Dem 2,752 

Isaac  McManuus,  Rep 2,906  154 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Fpnrv  W.  Kreider,  Dem 2,753 

Humphrey  Horrati.i,  Rep 2,897  144 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

Edgar  R.  Wright,  Dem 2,766 

Beuj.  F.  Piukley,  Rep 2,891  125 

SHERIFF, 

Wm.  C.  McLeod,  Dem 2,712 

John  E.  Lane,  Rep 2,930  218- 

CORONER. 

Harvy  F,  Chase,  Dem 2.724 

J.  H.  Epperson,  Rep 2,926  202 

1869.  COUNTY  JUDGE. 

Wm.  S.  Hendricks,  rep 2.357 

J.  B.  Nickle,  Dem 2,374  17 

COUNTY  CLERK. 

James  H.  Provine,  Rep 2,288 

Q.  C.  Ward,  Dem 2,449  161 

COUNTY   TREASURER. 

Thomas  J.  Downen,  Rep 2,338 

8.  A.  Hunt,  Dem « 2,392  54 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  409 

1869  Vote.      Majority. 

SURVEYOR. 

J.  \V,  Lawson,  Rep 2,354 

W.  J.  Edie,  Dem ^. 2,385  31 

SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDENT. 

D.  Branch,  Rep 2,248 

L.H.  Copeland.Dem 2,421  173 

1870.  CONGRESS. 

B.  F.  Westlake,  Rep 2,285 

T.  W.  McNeeley,  Dem 2,410  125 

STATE  SENATOR. 

H.  S.  Senter,  Rep 2,285 

B.  R.  Hampton,  Rep 2.257 

Thomas  B.  Cabeen,  Dem 2.4C7  122 

John  S.  Bailey,  Dem » 2,419  162 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

George  R.  Moore,  Rep.  ...  , 2,249 

William's.  Campbell,  Rep 2,261 

W.  H.  Neece,  Dem. 2,447  198 

James  Manley,  Dem 2,403  142 

SHERIFF  . 

Charles  C.  Hays.  Rep « 2,280 

Thomas  Murray,  Dem 2,377  97 

CORONER. 

James  H.  Epperson,  Rep 2.274 

D.  W.  Campbell,  Dem 2,406  132 

1871.  CONGRESSMAN  *AT  LARGE. 

J.  L.  Beveridse,  Rep 2,395 

Hays,  Dem 2,512  117 

COUNTY    TREASURER. 

John  E.  Lane,  Rep ...  2,271 

Wm.  M.  Lipe,  Dem 2,589  318 

SURVEYOR. 

J.  W.  Siders.  Rep 2,404 

Jas.  Shannon,  Dem 2,501  87 

1872.  PRESIDENT. 

U.  S.  Grant.  Rep 2,797  197 

Horace  Greeley,  Lib 2,600 

Charles  O'Coaor,  Dejn 14 

GOVERNOR. 

R.  J.  O&lesby,  Rep 2,800  90 

Gustavus  Koener,  Liberal 2,710 

CONGRESS. 

William  H.  Ray,  R-p ...  2.720 

William  H.  Neece,  Lib 2,799  79 

STATE    SENATE. 

Benjamin  R.  Hampton,  Rep 2,755  19 

Moses  A.  Luce,  Lib 2,736 

REPRESENT  ATINR. 

E.  K.  Westfall,  Rep ...  4,1911-£ 

W.  A.  Grant,  Rep 4, 

J.  E.  Jackson.  Lib 4,178 

Alpheus  Lewis,  Lib 3,899 

COUNTY    ATTORNEY. 

Crosby  F.  Wrieat,  Rep 2,834  166 

JohnS.  Bailey,  Lib 2,668 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

I.  N.  Pearson,  Rep 2,890  275 

James  A.  Sustain,  Lib 2,624 

SHERIFF. 

Samuel  Frost.  Rep 2,841  244 

Thomas  Murray,  Lib 2,597 

CORONER. 

W.  R.  Pittman,  Rep 2,795  76 

Heuben  Powell,  Lib 2,719 


410  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Vote.      Majority. 

1873.  COUNTY    JUDGE. 

James  Irwin,  Anti-monopoly 2,241  226 

Henderson  Ritchie,  Rep 2,015 

COUNTY    CLERK. 

Allen  A.  Sparks,  Anti-monopoly 2,284  195 

Asa  K.  Owen,  Rep 2,089 

COUNTY  TREASURER. 

Anthony  Thornton,  Anti-monopoly 2,229  184 

David  Brockway,  Rep , 2,045 

SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDENT. 

John  M.  Dunsworth.  Anti-monopoly 2.241  172 

John  H.  Case,  Rep 2,069 

1874.  SUPERINTENDENT  PUBLIC    INSTRUCTION. 

William  B.  Powell,  Rep 2,305  28- 

Samuel  M.  Etter,  Dem 2,277 

CONGRESS. 

Henderson  Ritchie,  Rep 2,295  44 

John  C.  Bagby,  Dem.  and  Ind 2,251 

George  Meadow 1 

STATE  SENATOR. 

John  T.  Morgan,  Rep 2,293  896 

James  M.  Campbell,  Dem 1,407 

Samuel  T.  Shelton,  Ind 864 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

C.  W.  Boydston,  Rep 3,390 

John  E.  J'ackson,  Dem 4,321 

A.  W.  Kfng,  Rep 3,449% 

Isaac  L.  Christy,  Ind 2,881)1 

SHERIFF  . 

J.  B.  Venard,  Rep 2,297  938 

Isaac  Oakman,  Dem 1,359 

W.  H.  Ledgerwood,  Ind 916 

CORONER. 

W,  R.  Pittman,  Rep 2.272  862 

Thomas  Cox,  Dem 1,410 

Thomas  J.  Beard.  Ind 893 

1875.  COUNTY  TREASURER. 

J.  W.  Siders,  Rep 2,088  561 

P.  Irwin,  Dem 1,527 

Anthony  Thornton,  Ind 422 

SURVEYOR. 

B.  F.  Howard,  Rep ....  ...  2,130  580 

Wm.  J.  Edie,  Dem 1,550 

Samuel  Hunt,  Ind 418 

CORONER. 

W.  H.  Wayiand,  Rep ...2,102  534 

J.  W.  Westfall,  Dem. 1,568 

James  Manly,  Ind 390 

1876.  PRESIDENT. 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Rep 2,952  141 

Samuel  J.  Tilden,  Dem 2,811 

Peter  Cooper,  Ind 347 

GOVERNOR. 

Shelby  M.  Cullom,  Rep .  2,958 

Lewis  Stewart,  Dem 3,142  183 

CONGRESS. 

Benj.  F.  Marsh,  Rep 2,955 

John  H.  Hungate,  Dem 2,838 

I.  R.  Christie,  Ind 313 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

C.  W.  Boydston,  Rep....,  4.225K 

E.  K.  Westfall,  Rep '....'.'.'".'.""..'.'.'.'...  4,476 

Charles  H.  Whitaker,  Dem 7,605 

J.  L.  Epperson,  Ind 1,908% 

COUNTY    ATTORNEY. 

Crosby  F.  Wheat,  Rep 3,016  198 

Geo.  S.  Fubr,  Dem 2,821 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  411 

1876.  Vote.      Majority. 

CIRCUIT  CLERK. 

1.  X.  Pearson,  Rep 3,105  440 

N.  II.  Jackson,  Dem 2,665 

L.  F.  Smith,  Ind 339 

SHERIFF. 

Charles  C.  Hays,;Rep 3,009  226 

Joseph  W.  Hays,  Dem 2,783 

Amos  Dixon,  Ind 305 

CORONER. 

George  W.  Reid,  Rep 2,948  180 

Thomas  Cox.  Dem 2,768 

W.  L.  Simpson,  Ind 384 


412  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Progress  in  this  county  is  nowhere  better  illustrated  than  in 
connection  with  our  public  schools.  In  the  early  day  good  schools 
were  like  "  angels  visits,  few  and  far  between,"  and  it  was  consid- 
ered very  fortunate  indeed  if  an  opportunity  was  offered  for 
obtaining  even  the  rudiments  of  a  common  school  education.  A 
person  competent  to  teach  the  three  branches,  commonly  and  sar- 
castically spoken  of  as  the  three  "Rs,"  "Reading,  'Riting  and 
'Rithmetic,"  could  seldom  be  obtained.  Some  of  the  few  scat- 
tered settlements  could  not  afford  to  employ  a  teacher,  and  were 
therefore  compelled  to  do  without,  or  send  their  children  through 
the  timber  or  across  the  prairie  to  some  more  fortunate  settlement 
where  a  school  was  in  operation.  The  writer  is  personally 
acquainted  with  some  who  were  sent  a  distance  of  six  to  nine 
miles,  walking  the  entire  distance  morning  and  night  of  each  day, 
in  order  that  they  might  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of 
acquiring  a  little  knowledge  of  their  mother  tongue,  and  thus  fit 
themselves  for  the  duties  of  life.  How  different  now  !  In  every 
township  there  are  from  seven  to  eleven  schools  in  successful 
operation.  Competent  teachers  are  employed,  many  of  whom 
have  spent  years  in  fitting  themselves  for  their  vocation,  and  who 
make  teaching  a  profession,  by  preparing  themselves  as  thorough- 
ly for  this  work  as  the  lawyer,  doctor,  or  divine  are  presumed  to 
do. 

The  description  given  elsewhere  of  the  old  log  court  house 
will  answer  for  the  old-fashioned  school  house,  though,  instead 
of  two  windows,  only  one  was  the  custom,  and  that  of  six  lights 
8x10.  The  school  furniture  was  slab  seats  for  the  scholars,  a 
three-legged  stool  and  a  hazel  or  birch  rod  for  the  teacher.  As 
for  books,  but  few  were  needed,  the  less  the  better,  as  the  teacher 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  413 

could  get  along  the  more  readily.  The  walls  of  the  school-room 
were  decorated  by  the  artistic  hands  of  the  scholars  with  draw- 
ings of  the  teacher,  instead  of  being  hung  with  such  beautiful 
and  instructive  maps  as  are  now  found  in  all  our  school  buildings. 
Instead  of  the  beautiful  specimens  of  penmanship  now-a-days  set 
for  our  children  to  copy,  teachers  were  then  employed  who,  in 
many  instances,  could  scarcely  write  their  own  names.  Alto- 
gether, in  the  light  of  to-day,  the  schools  of  forty  and  fifty  years 
ago  were  very  dreary  affairs. 

William  L.  Woodside  has  the  original  agreement  made  between 
his  father,  John  G.  Woodside,  and  the  patrons  of  his  school, 
which  will  illustrate  the  difference  between  then  and  now.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  said  agreement: 

"  Articles  of  agreement  made  and  entered  into  this  first  day  of  April,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  thirty-five,  by  and  between  John  G.  Woodside  of  the  one  part,  and 
the  undersigned  of  the  other  part,  both  of  McDonough  county,  and  State  of  Illinois.  I, 
the  above  named  Woodside,  do  agree  to  teach  a  school  in  the  school  house  near  Levi 
Parent's  for  the  term  of  six  months,  five  days  in  each  week,  or  time  to  that  amount.  I 
do  agree  to  teach  spelling,  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic  to  the  best  of  my  skill  and 
judgment.  I  also  bind  myself  to  keep  good  order  and  pay  strict  attention  to  my  school. 
And  we,  the  undersigned,  do  promise  to  pay  the  said  Woodside  for  his  services,  one  dol- 
lar per  scholar  in  money,  and  three  dollars  in  good  merchantable  wheat,  pork,  wool, 
linen,  linsey,  flax,  or  work  at  the  market  price  in  this  neighborhood,  to  be  delivered  at 
said  Woodside's  house.  The  pork  to  be  paid  at  the  usual  time  of  killing,  the  money 
part  or  other  articles  to  be  paid  at  the  expiration  of  the  school.  And  we,  the  subscribers, 
do  bind  ourselves  to  fix  the  school  house  in  a  comfortable  manner.  School  to  commence 
the  first  of  May,  or  sooner  if  the  subscribers  want  it.  I,  the  said  Woodside.  will  begin  with 
twenty  scholars,  and  any  large  scholar  or  scholars  that  will  not  submit  themselves  to  the 
rules  of  said  school  shall  be  expelled  from  said  school.  And  it  is  to  be  understood  that 
said  Woodside  is  to  have  the  liberty  of  teaching  his  own  children.  If  either  of  the  par- 
ties should  become  dissatisfied,  the  school  can  be  discontinued  at  the  end  of  three 
months  by  the  teacher  or  a  majority  of  the  subscribers,  either  party  giving  two  weeks' 
notice." 

By  law  the  sixteenth  section  of  every  township  was  to  be  used 
for  school  purposes,  but  there  being  little  or  no  sale  for  land,  and 
the  government  price  of  $1  25  per  acre  being  all  that  could  be 
realized  from  its  sale,  the  income  to  be  derived  from  it  could 
amount  tc  but  little.  Subscription  schools,  therefore,  had  to  be 
depended  upon.  The  first  school  in  Macomb,  if  not  in  the  county, 
paid  for  from  the  public  treasury  was  in  1837,  and  taught  by  Miss 
Ellen  Overton,  who,  we  believe,  still  continues  to  follow  the  pro- 
fession of  teacher.  From  this  time  forward  the  people  began  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  privileges  of  the  school  law,  but  not  until 
the  last  few  years  was  any  remarkable  progress  made. 


414  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  school  statistics  ot  the  county  are  an  interesting  study, 
We  find  there  are,  under  twenty-one  years  of  age,  14,890  pereons. 
Of  these,  10,878  are  between  the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one,  or  of 
school  age.  There  were  enrolled  during  the  past  year  8,059 
pupils  in  the  various  schools,  showing  that  2,819  or  a  little  more 
than  one-fourth  of  the  number  of  those  of  school  age  were  kept 
altogether  from  the  schools;  but  notwithstanding  this,  there  are 
but  fourteen  females  and  thirteen  males  between  the  agesof  twelve 
and  twenty-one  that  are  unable  to  read  or  write.  There  are  156 
school  houses  having  a  total  value  of  $160,420.  There  were  raised 
for  all  school  purposes  the  past  year  $98,237,  of  which  $55,566 
were  paid  teachers  ;  $5,520  for  new  school  houses;  repairs  and  im- 
provements, $4,763  ;  school  furniture,  $1,933  ;  fuel  and  incidental 
expenses,  $6,550 ;  for  bonds,  $6,219 ;  interest  on  bonds,  $1,030 ;  and  a 
sum  for  other  expenses  which  added  to  the  above  will  make  a 
total  expenditure  for  school  purposes  of  $84,454,  or  au  average  of 
$10.48  for  each  pupil  enrolled.  The  average  wages  paid  male 
teachers  outside  of  Macomb,  Bushnell  and  Prairie  City,  is  about 
$43  per  month,  and  female  teachers  $33.  The  highest  salary  paid 
any  male  teacher  was  $135  per  month  ;  the  lowest  salary,  $25. 
The  highest  paid  any  female  teacher  was  $50  ;  the  lowest  $20  per 
month.  The  number  of  first  grade  certificates  granted  during 
1876  were  six;  of  the  second  grade,  352.  There  were  721  appli- 
cants for  certificates,  of  whom  416  were  females. 

McDonough  College. — As  early  as  1835  a  project  was  set  on  foot 
for  the  establishment  of  a  college  in  this  county,  showing  that 
from  the  start  our  people  took  an  interest  in  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion. A  petition  signed  by  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  the  county 
was  presented  to  the  Legislature  at  its  session  of  1835-36,  praying 
the  passage  of  an  act  incorporating  an  institution  to  be  known  as 
McDonough  College.  The  act  was  passed  and  approved  by  the 
Governor  January  12,  1836.  By  this  act  William  W.  Bailey, 
Charles  Hays,  Moses  Hinton,  William  Proctor,  James  McCroskey, 
Joseph  G.  Walker,  George  Miller,  John  M.  Walker,  Saunders  W. 
Campbell  and  Alexander  Campbell  were  appointed  trustees.  Not- 
withstanding the  early  day  in  which  this  charter  was  granted  it 
was  not  until  1851  a  full  college  course  was  established,  though 
for  several  years  a  school  of  high  grade  was  held  in  the  building. 
This  building  was  begun  in  1835,  immediately  after  the  charter  was 
granted,  but  irot  completed  until  the  following  year.  Rev.  James 


HISTORY. OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  415 

M.  Chase  find  Rev.  Stafford  occupied  the  building  for  some  year& 
with  a  select  school,  the  Schuyler  Presbytery,  under  whose  con- 
trol and  supervision  the  college  was  to  be,  never  feeling  warranted 
in  reorganizing  the  college  course.  In  1848  McGinnis  &  Banks 
obtained  judgment  against  the  trustees  of  the  college  for  work 
performed  on  the  building,  and  sold  the  property  to  satisfy  the 
same,  the  Masonic  Lodge,  of  Macomb,  becoming  the  purchaser. 
At  this  time  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  had  in  contemplation 
the  establishment  of  a  Masonic  college,  and  the  lodge  in  Macomb 
thought  it  advisable  to  purchase  the  property  and  tender  it  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  believing  it  an  inducement  to  locate  the  college 
in  that  city.  At  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that  year, 
Dr.  J.  B.  Kyle,  in  behalf  of  Macomb  Lodge,  made  a  tender  of  it 
to  that  body.  The  offer  was  declined,  the  Grand  Lodge  having 
become  satisfied  it  would  be  unwise  to  engage  in  the  undertaking 
it  had  contemplated.  It  was  then  tendered  to  the  Schuyler  Pres- 
bytery on  condition  that  that  body  should  establish  and  maintain 
therein  a  school  of  high  grade,  which  proposition  was  accepted. 
A  charter  for  a  college,  to  be  known  as  the  McDonougb  College, 
was  then  obtained,  the  old  charter  having  been  forfeited,  we  be- 
lieve. James  M.  Chase,  William  F.  Ferguson,  William  K.  Stew- 
art, T.  S.  Vail  and  W.  R.  Talbott  were  made  trustees  by  the  said 
charter.  The  Masonic  Lodge  of  Macomb  then  nominated  Rev. 
Ralph  Harris  to  a  professorship  in  the  institution,  which  action 
was  ratified  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  on  condition  that  Mr.  Har- 
ris would  run  the  school  and  receive  therefor  the  tuition  fees  as 
his  salary.  Mr.  H.  accepted  the  offer,  and  on  the  first  Monday  in 
Xovember,  1849,  the  school  was  opened,  and  continued  by  him  for 
about  two  years,  assisted  by  Miss  Ellen  Phelps. 

On  the  eleventh  of  June,  1851,  Rev.  William  F.  Ferguson,  D. 
D.,  was  unanimously  elected  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  at  a  salary  of  S700  per  year,  he  to  enter  upon 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  the  beginning  of  the  next  term,  in  Sep- 
tember following.  A  full  college  course  was  decided  upon,  and 
the  following  faculty  chosen  :  Rev.  William  F.  Ferguson,  D.  D., 
President,  and  Professor  of  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  Politi- 
cal Economy,  and  Evidences  of  Christianity;  Rev.  Ralph  Harris, 
A.  M.,  Professor  of  Languages ;  Thomas  Gilmore,  Tutor. 

Mr.  Ferguson,  as  President,  took  charge  of  the  college  in  Sep- 
tember, 1851,  but  was  not  formally  inaugurated  until  March,  1852. 
During  the  first  year  there  were  enrolled  133  students  in  all  the 


416  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

departments,  showing  a  fair  degree  of  prosperity.  Prof.  Fergiv 
son  continued  to  act  as  president  up  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  March,  1853.  Rev.  Ralph 
Harris  was  then  appointed  president  ad  interim  until  the  regular 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  James  W.  Matthews, 
teacher.  At  this  regular  meeting  Mr.  Matthews  was  elected  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  and  Rev.  Ithamer  Pillsbury,  President.  It 
being  impossible  for  Mr.  Pillsbury  to  accept  at  once,  Rev.  John 
C.  King  was  appointed  President  ad  interim.  Mr.  King  entered 
upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  continued  to  act  until  Mr. 
Pillsbury]  assumed  charge  a  few  months  after.  Under  Mr.  Pills- 
bury's  administration  the  college  prospered  somewhat  for  a  while, 
but  the  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  refusing  to  help  the 
institution,  as  had  been  expected,  it  was  found  utterly  impossible 
to  sustain  it;  so  in  1855  it  was  closed  and  the  building  and  grounds 
reverted  to  the  Masons,  and-  thus  ended  what  ought  to  have  been 
an  honorable  and  useful  institution  in  McDonough  county. 

Prairie  City  Academy. — This  institution  was  organized  by  special 
charter  in  the  year  1859,  in  the  village  of  Prairie  City,  with  Prof. 
Daniel  Branch  as  Principal,  and  Mrs.  S.  F.  "W".  Branch,  Assistant. 
For  six  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branch  conducted  the  school  in  an 
able  manner,  graduating  quite  a  number  of  young  gentlemen  and 
ladies.  The  attendance  during  this  time  was  quite  large,  and  the 
school  was  held  in  just  pride  by  the  citizens  of  that  place.  In 
1865,  Professor  and  Mrs.  Branch  resigned  their  positions  in  order 
to  move  to  Macomb,  Mr.  Branch  having  been  elected  County  Su- 
perintendent ot  Public  Schools,  and  desiring  to  open  an  office  at 
the  county  seat.  Prof.  Weige  succeeded  in  charge  of  the  school. 
It  was  continued  for  about  four  years  longer  with  failing  fortunes, 
and  finally  went  down,  the  building  being  sold  to  the  town,  and 
is  now  used  for  common  and  high  school  purposes. 

McDonough  Normal  and  Scientific  College. — In  1865  a  charter  was 
obtained  from  the  Legislature  of  the  State  for  the  organization  of 
the  above  named  institution  in  the  city  of  Macomb.  The  old  col- 
lege property,  situated  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  city,  was  then 
owned  by  Dr.  B.  R.  Westfall,  a  gentleman  whose  heart  is  enlisted 
in  the  cause  of  education,  and  who  sold  the  same  to  Prof.  D. 
Branch  at  a  sacrifice,  on  condition  that  a  school  of  high  grade 
should  be  kept  in  operation  therein  for  ten  years.  An  arrange- 
ment was  then  effected  between  Mr.  Branch  and  the  trustees  ol 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  417 

the  newly  chartered  college  by  which  the  school  was  to  be  carried 
on  under  the  charter  obtained.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
McDonough  Xormal  and  Scientific  College,  which  has  now  been 
in  operation  for  eleven  years,  and  which  generally  has  had  a  fair 
degree  of  prosperity.  Owning  the  building  and  grounds,  and  also 
using  the  same  as  a  home,  the  expenses  of  the  institution  have  been 
light,  the  receipts  from  tuition  being  sufficient  to  carry  on  the 
work  without  the  aid  of  an  endowment  fund.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Branch  have  toiled  hard  to  make  the  school  worthy  the  patron- 
age of  the  citizens  of  McDonough  county,  and  if  their  success  has 
not  been  such  as  might  be  expected  by  the  outside  world,  the 
reason  is  certainly  apparent  to  all  thinking  persons.  Some  twenty 
gentlemen  and  ladies  have  graduated  here,  and  are  now  occupy- 
ing honorable  positions  in  life.  . 

A  word  to  the  citizens  of  McDonough  with  respect  to  this  insti- 
tution. An  opportunity  is  here  offered  to  build  up  a  college  that 
will  be  your  just  pride.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branch  are  willing  to  dis- 
pose of  the  property  on  reasonable  terms  to  any  religious  body  or 
private  corporation  that  will  take  hold  and  continue  the  work  so 
well  begun  by  them.  Surrounded  by  the  best  agricultural  region 
in  the  State,  with  abundance  of  wealth,  and  with  an  increasing- 
population,  a  first-class  college  could  easily  be  sustained.  Let  the 
effort  be  made. 

Macomb  Female  Seminary. — Established  in  1852,  and  continued 
lor  but  a  short  time. 

ELDOBADO    TOWNSHIP. 

The  schools  of  this  township  are  up  to  the  standard.  The  buildings,  as  a  class,  are 
good,  perhaps  equal  to  any  in  the  county.  From  the  statistics  given  by  townships,  in 
regard  tp  receipts  and  expenditures  for  school  purposes  for  the  year  1876,  it  will  be  seen 
that  Eldorado  falls  much  below  that  of  any  other  township.  Ordinarily,  the  school  ex- 
penses of  Eldorado  are  as  much  as  any  other  township,  but  for  1876  the  assessor  failed 
to  make  such  returns  as  were  necessary  to  collect  school  taxes.  There  were,  however, 
three  districts  properly  reported  which  includes  the  amount  given  in  the  table. 

School  District  H'o.  1. — The  school  house  stands  upon  the  northeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion 11.  It  is  valued  at  $700.  Until  1872.  this  district  was  two  miles  and  a  half  long, 
north  and  south.  At  that  time  districts  1  and  6  were  divided,  forming  1,  6,  and  7,  as  now 
known.  The  directors  are  Austin  Bowman.  Samuel  J.  Foster,  and  James  H.  Bowles.  Ja- 
cob Bailey  taught  during  the  winter  of  187G-77.  and  Miss  Luella  Kimble  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1877. 

District  JV<>.  2. — The  school  building  is  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  4. 
It  is  worth  but  about  §150.  There  is  a  move  being  made  to  procure  a  fund  for  the  erec- 


418  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

tion  of  a  new  building.  G.  H.  Mershon,  John  Corbitt,  and  William  Beckwith,  directors. 
Hammond  Herron  taught  during  the  winter  of  1876-77,  and  Miss  Jennie  Bailey  during 
the  summer  of  1877. 

District  No.  3. — The  school  house  stands  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  5,  and 
is  worth  about  $400.  The  directors  are  Isaac  Chandler,  Henry  Hushaw,  and  I.  W.  Dai- 
ley.  Miss  Ida  Bowman  was  employed  to  teach  the  summer  school  of  1877,  and  M.  S. 
Arnold  for  the  winter  of  1876-77. 

District  No.  4. — The  school  building  .which  is  valued  at  $200,  is  located  upon  the 
northeast  corner  of  section  19.  "W.  R.  Remmington,  Thomas  Lawyer,  and  W.  C.  Stand- 
ard, are  the  present  directors.  Frank  Lawyer  taught  the  winter  of  1876-77,  and  Miss 
Mary  Ausbury  during  the  summer  following. 

District  No.  5. — The  school  house  of  No.  5  stands  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section 
22.  It  is  a  good  frame  building  erected  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500  ;  it  is  now  valued  at 
$  1,000.  It  is  24x30.  This  school  is  familiarly  known  as  "Sixteen."  The  present  Direc- 
tors are  Henry  S.  Leighty,  Louis  Bottenburg,  and  A.  J.  Herron.  Mark  Leighty  taught 
during  the  winter  of  1876-77,  and  Mary  Askew,  the  summer  of  1877. 

District  No.  6. — The  school  house  of  this  district  was  erected  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of 
$800.  It  is  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  14.  Henry  Lambern,  William  Kimble, 
and  Abraham  Liggett,  are  the  Directors.  Miss  Mary  Mathewson  taught  the  first  term 
of  school  in  the  present  building,  Hattie  Campbell  taught  during  winter  of  1876-77,  and 
Miss  Sarah  Sweeney  during  the  summer  of  1877. 

District  No.  7.— The  school  building  was  built  in  1875  ;  value,  $700.  It  is  located  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  section  36.  The  present  Directors  are  :  F.  O.  Harvey,  Charles 
Dennis,  and  John  O'Herron.  Hardin  Haines  taught  the  winter  term  of  1876-77,  and 
Miss  Eliza  Sweeney  during  the  following  summer. 

District  No.  8. — The  school  house  stands  upon  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  27  : 
value  $250.  S.  R.  Musgrove,  John  Snowden,  and  John  Nelson,  are  the  directors.  The 
teacher  during  the  winter  of  1876-77  was  John  Adams;  summer  following,  Miss  Maud 
Beamer. 

District  No.  9. — This  house  was  erected  in  1875  ;  value  $750.  E.  H.  Stockton,  Jacob 
Lawyer,  and  William  Bryant,  directors.  'Maxwell  Kennedy  taught  during  the  winter  of 
1876-77,  and  Miss  Lizzie  Askew  during  the  summer. 

NEW    SALEM    TOWNSHIP. 

The  first  school  building  erected  in  this  township  was  built  in  1849,  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  section  25,  on  the  farm  of  Joseph  Lownes,  and  remained  standing  until  1857. 
The  first  directors  were  Daniel  Harris.  A.  W.  Russell,  and  J.  Lownes. 

In  1846  the  township  was  divided  into  three  school  districts,  as  follows:  A  line  through 
the  center  north  and  south,  and  the  east  half  equally  divided  east  and  west.  In  1852  the 
west  half  was  divided  into  two  districts.  In  1857  all  lines  were  annulled  and  the  town- 
ship divided  into  nine  districts  of  equal  size,  two  miles  square.  The  three  school  houses 
then  standing  were  sold  at  public  auction  by  Joseph  Lownes,  the  township  Treasurer. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  419 

t  y».  2— A  school  house  was  moved  to  the  present  site  in  1858.  A 
new  building,  one  with  all  the  modern  improvements,  was  erected  in  1870  at  a  cost  of 
$  1,450.  It  is  24x36.  It  is  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  4.  The  following 
are  the  names  of  the  directors  that  have  served:  P.  E.  Wilson,  John  Kutledge,  James  Port- 
lock.  J.  E.  Porter.  J.  H.  Epperson,  Norman  Millington,  A.  Hanson,  William  Lance,  Rob- 
ert Rutledge,  J.  P.  Wilt.  Win.  B.  Swango,  Peter  Richardson.  B.  Donelson.  Teachers — 
Jane  Hartford,  Sarnantha  Harris.  Truman  Spears.  John  L.  Epperson,  J.  N.  Porter,  E 
W.  Ford,  Linda  Robinson.  Miss  C.  Porter,  H.  A.  Mann,  Joseph  Sanders,  Miss  Barchfield, 
Eli  Brown,  Lou.  Huston,  Sue  Parks,  A.  W.  Clark,  Mary  Elwell. 

District  yo.  5. — About  the  year  1855  a  log  house  was  moved  from  Fulton-county  and 
placed  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  22,  now  owned  by  Emory  Lownes.  In  this 
building  four  term?  of  school  were  taught,  by  the  following  teachers :  R.  C.  Porter, 
William  Hammond.  Allen  Yaple,  and  Elizabeth  Miller.  On  the  districts  of  the  town- 
ship being  divided,  in  1854,  the  school  was  discontinued,  and  the  log  house  sold  at  public 
auction  for  §20.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served  are  :  Simon  Pontious,  Lyman 
Porter,  Joseph  Porter,  J.  H.  Epperson,  Reuben  Porter,  Thomas  Seaburn,  J.  Wisler,  J. 
Reedv,  and  D.  B.  Gregory.  The  following  are  the  teachers :  R.  Porter,  Gertrude  Hughes, 
William  Frame,  Annie  Guild,  Charles  Wilkins,  J.  A.  Porter,  Marion  Dickey,  Lucy  Mer- 
rill, J.  M.  Case,  Annie  Gill,  Lauretta  Waters,  J.  C.  Moore,  Mr.  McKinney,  Louisa  Taylor, 
Lou  Huston,  Annie  Porter,  G.  H.  Closson,  Lena  Richardson. 

S  mmit,  District  3^0.  7. — The  school  building  is  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
section  25,  and  was  erected  immediately  after  the  township  was  re-districted  in  1857.  It 
is  a  small  frame  house,  and  cost  about  §750. 

District  3"').  9. — The  school  house  of  this  district  stands  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
section  30.  It  is  a  small  frame,  built  about  the  year  1859.  Among  the  directors  com- 
posing the  board  of  this  district  from  time  to  time  were  :  Edward  Woods,  W.  L.  Pen- 
dell,  S.  F.  Hammer,  Merrilla  A.  Woods,  W.  A.  Griffin,  and  B.  Staley. 

MOUND    TOWNSHIP. 

District  JV'>.  2. — This  district  was  organized  in  1861,  and  directors  elected  the  same 
year.  Previous  to  this,  the  territory  was  united  to  the  Bardolph  District.  The  school 
"house  was  erected  in  1862,  at  a  cost  of  8350.  Among  the  directors  were  David  Kepple, 
John  W.  Booth.  James  W.  Jackson.  A.  C.  Fleming,  J.  I.  Gardner,  James  Kepple,  Wil- 
liam J.  Jackson.  Teachers — J.  W.  Sparks,  T.  L.  Kendrick,  Mary  J.  Evans,  John  Weath- 
ers. A.  J.  McCaner,  John  Hopwood,  Emma  Walker,  T.  L.  Matchett,  B.  S.  Hogland, 
Robert  Work.  A.  Baea.  J.  Miller,  Miss  Campbell,  W.  Porter,  Taylor  Kirkpatrick,  Ella 
Walker. 

W'u'tf  If'i7'.  J)'xt)-i''t  JV/>.  3. — This  district  was  organized  in  1854,  its  school  being  held 
in  a  small  house  until  1864,  when  the  present  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  §481  95. 
The  same  year  the  district  was  equally  divided  east  and  west  making  district  3  and 
10.  H.  Former,  G.  W.  Lemaster.  J.  .N.  Boaz,  Samuel  Lance,  William  Crawford,  G. 
W.  Solomon.  Samuel  Steel.  J.  W.  Brock,  G.  W.  Hutchins.  Adam  Lance,  John  Rose,  were 
among  the  directors.  Among  the  teachers  were  J.  S.  Kirby.  Mary  Harper.  Mary  J.  Brock. 


420  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

J.  Beam,  Eliza  Bozley,  Elizabeth  McConnell,  R.  N.  Porter,  Lucy  Merrill,  A.  S.  Hopwood, 
Helen  Sperling,  Miss  C.  Bozley,  Melvina  Fortner,  S.  H.  Remmington,  Mary  Derby,  C. 

F.  McDonough,  G.  W.  Porter.  Maggie  Culcumber,  V.  A.  Treudley,  Joseph  San  lers,  James 
Ross. 

District  No.  4. — Previous  to  1855,  school  was  held  in  Edward  Dyer's  house.  In  that 
year  a  frame  house  22x30  feet  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $325.  The  present  building,  a 
good  frame,  was  built  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200,  and  is  22x36  feet  in  size  ;  it  is  located 
on  section  22.  The  following  named  are  among  the  directors  that  have  served  :  E.  Dyer, 
Joseph  Melvin,  A.  J.  Fleming,  D.  Eager,  William  A.  Anderson,  C.  H.  Boaz,  Elias 
Beaver,  J.  M.  Holmes,  Ross  Manly,  Amos  Hipsley,  J.  Scott,  William  Work.  Among  the 
teachers  were  W.  H.  Green,  E.  T.  Neal,  J.  H.  Emory,  George  Hardy,  Giles  Green,  Miss 
M.  L.  Carter,  J.  N.  Wick,  T.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  James  B.  Forresman,  D.  C.  Brenneman,  Ed- 
ward Shannon. 

Gottonwood,  District  No.  6. — Building  located  in  the  northeast  corner  of  section  33. 
It  was  erected  in  1856,  and  enlarged  in  1877.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served 
were :  Ross  Manly,  Joseph  Mukey,  Richard  Ret  ins,  James  Updegraff ,  Thompson  Allen, 
R.  Welch,  J.  W.  Sheeley,  Isaac  Sheeley.  Among  the  teachers  are  :  Mary  Hipsley,  Lyda 
Rutledge,  James  Thompson,  Martha  Carter,  Alice  A.  Rankin,  Maria  Porter,  Amanda 
Cronover. 

Langsford,  District  No.  7. — The  school  house  was  moved  from  the  New  Philadelphia 
district  to  its  present  location,  the  southwest  corner  of  section  25,  in  1863.  The  size  of  the 
building  is  20x24  feet.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served  are  the  following  named 
persons  :  C.  Dunlap,  John  R.  Post,  Joseph  Shannon,  A.  Switzer,  J.  A.  Langsford,  Henry 
Ellison,  William  M.  Mercer,  James  F.  Richards,  A.  K.  Brown,  R.  Butler,  H.  W.  Sheets, 
A.  Shannon,  James  Dorr,  Daniel  Wetsel,  B.  F.  Mumma,  L.  A.  Lybarker,  S.  A.  Stewart, 
H.  Lindsey.  Those  teaching  were  :  Eliza  Bozley,  Mollie  R.  Smith,  Clementine  Lownes, 
A.  K.  Brown,  Mary  E  Shannon,  Lena  Richardson,  C.  C.  Cooper,  O.  Cunningham,  Delia 
Milton,  W.  N.  Campbell,  L.  Barker,  Isaac  Holmes. 

District  No.  8. — Building  located  on  section  2.  District  was  organized  in  1860,  and 
the  house  erected  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $600,  its  size  being  20x26  feet.  The  first 
directors  were  :  John  Crowel,  Moses  Wilson,  and  William  Cox.  The  present  ones  are  : 

G.  A.  Cadwallader,  B.  P.  Nebergall,  and  Samuel  Clark.  "  The  following  are  the  names  of 
the  teachers  :     Mary  Harper,  John  Miner,   Tillie  Gurney,  William  Spark,  Ettie   Moore, 
Etha  Harlan,  James  Fortner,  Mary  Cochrane,   Hardy  Robinson,  Lavina  Tainter,  Albert 
Beem,  W.  S.  Wortman,  Jane  Walters,  Perry  Cooper,  Helen  Sperling,  Alice  Throckmorton, 
Charles  West,  Willis  A.   Boughner,  J.  W.  Sanders,  Lena  Richardson,  D.  C.  Brenneman, 
Emma  Sperling. 

District  No.  9. — The  building  is  situated  on  section  10,  and  was  erected  in  1864  at  a 
cost  of  $800  ;  size  22x32  feet.  The  year  previous  school  was  taught  in  a  dwelling  near 
the  present  house.  Those  that  have  served  as  directors  are  :  Clark  Sperry,  T.  Speir/f 
R.  A.  Aldams,  S.  McConnell,  William  Stephens,  George  Humphrey,  Paxton  Moore,  W. 
H.  Culp,  H.  H.  Nance.  Those  teaching  are  :  Mr.  Gapin,  A.  Beam.  J.  Wick,  S.  Bonfill, 
Hattie  Woodman,  Sarah  Sperling,  Vina  Crownover. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  421 

BUSHNELL    TOWNSHIP. 

Maple  Hill,  District  No.  1. — The  building  is  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion 26  :  its  size  is  18x30  feet :  value  $350.  There  are  fifty  scholars  in  the  district,  with 
an  attendance  of  thirty.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served  are  :  L.  T.  Scott.  Wil- 
liam H.  Cowperthwaite,  Darius  Jones,  J.  Havens.  The  teachers  are :  J.  T.  Spear.  Emma 
Sperling.  Mary  M.  Scott.  Maggie  Brice. 

District  y<>.  2. — This  district  was  organized  in  1869.  House  was  built  in  1870,  at  a 
cost  of  £700.  It  is  16x24.  There  are  twenty-eight  scholars  in  the  district,  and  an  aver- 
age attendance  of  twenty-five.  Average  salary  828  per  month.  J.  M.  Devore,  J.  W.  Neg- 
ley,  John  Serbert,  Jacob  Smith,  Albertson  Moore,  and  J.  C.  Cadwallader,  have  served 
as  directors,  and  as  teachers  the  following  named  persons :  L.  S.  Mills,  Lizzie  Brown, 
Mattie  Cadwallader.  Louis  Hover,  Rosa  Stearns. 

District  y<>.  3. — The  school  house  was  erected  in  1864,  and  is  situated  on  section  28. 
The  size  of  the  building  is  18x30,  and  its  cost  $700.  Among  the  directors  serving  are  : 
Thomas  Pearce,  D.  A.  McDonald.  D.  N.  Simmons,  John  Lesher.  Among  the  teachers 
are  :  Daniel  Hagaman.  Emma  McKenney. 

PRATRLE    CITY    AND    BUSHNELL    TOWNSHIPS. 

Union  District  Xo.  4. — School  building  located  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  19, 
and  erected  in  1875  at  a  cost  of  $1.055  :  size,  22x30  feet.  The  district  was  organized  in 
1867.  There  are  fifty  scholars  in  it,  and  thirty  in  attendance  in  school.  J.  C.Cline,  Wil- 
liam A.  Posey.  James  Black.  James  Fannihill.  John  Fees,  and  Enoch  Hall  have  been  the 
directors  serving,  while  among  the  teachers  were  :  Mrs.  Josie  Hurst.  Mary  L.  Stewart, 
Miss  McKinney. 

Union  District  JYV>.  ">. — This  district  was  organized  in  186  7  and  building  erected,  which 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  present  one  was  erected  in  1875  at  a  cost  of  $  1,100;  size,  22 
x30  feet.  In  the  district  are  forty-five  scholars,  with  thirty  attending  school.  The  fol- 
lowing named  are  among  the  directors  :  Orin  Mariner,  E.  Hovenden,  J.  W.  Hays,  C.  F. 
Long.  C.  W.  Yandever,  D.  Brown,  and  J.  N.  Devore.  Among  those  teaching  were: 
Seeley  Mariner,  George  S.  Doughty,  and  Amanda  Burchfield. 

Uni'>i>  District  JVo.  6. — The  school  building  is  located  on  the  northeast  corner  section 
24.  The  directors  at  present  are  :  Adam  Long,  Benjamin  Coleman,  and  James  Bricker. 
Among  those  teaching  in  this  district  were  :  E.  H.  Smith,  Lucretia  Bird,  and  Mr.  Nick- 
•son. 

PRArRTE    CITY    TOWNSHIP. 

District  Xn.  1.— School  house  in  Prairie  City.  [See  Prairie  City.] 
Emnrtf.  Dixtri'-t  JV>>.  2.— This  district  was  organized  in  1856  and  the  building  erected 
the  same  year.  Its  size  18x24  feet  and  present  value  $100.  The  house  is  situated  on 
the  southeast  corner  of  section  4.  There  are  twenty-five  scholars  in  the  district,  an 
average  attendance  of  twelve  or  fifteen  in  school.  The  average  salary  of  the  teachers  is 
f  30.  Wesley  Cope.  Henry  Perley,  S.  S.  Stearns.  William  L.  Sheaff,  William  Cope, 
William  King,  and  Francis  T.  Emory  have  served  as  directors.  The  first  teacher  was 
H — 27 


422  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Mrs.  Henry  Peasly,  who  has  been  succeeded  by  the  following  named  persons:  Jennie 
Nesselrode,  Emma  Fisher,  Morna  Moore,  Ella  Walter,  Rosa  Stearns. 

District  No.  3. — The  building  is  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  16,  and  is 
24x30  feet.  The  average  salary  of  teachers  is  $35.  The  present  directors  are  John 
Arter,  Joseph  Gary,  and  'Squire  Logston.  Miss  Ella  Paxton  teacher  for  1876. 

INDUSTBY  TOWNSHIP. 

District  No.  1. — Building  in  the  town  of  Industry;  its  value,  $2,000.  Directors,  H.  C. 
SuUivan,  S.  R.  Martin  and  J.  F.  Mosser.  Teachers  for  1876:  Principal,  H.  M.  Towner; 
Assistants,  Miss  Ella  Kenyon  and  Miss  F.  M.  Baymiller.  In  this  district  are  198  scholars. 

District  No.  2. — Building  located  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  8,  and  is  valued 
at  $500.  There  are  40  scholars  in  District;  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick  and  Wm.  Kinkade,  direc- 
tors; Miss  Fannie  Baker,  teacher  for  1876. 

EunUe,  District  No.  3 — This  district  was  organized  in  1866,  and  a  school  building 
erected  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $700;  it  is  a  frame  building,  18x28,  and  located  on 
section  28.  There  are  20  scholars  in  the  district,  with  an  average  attendance  of  ten.  The 
aveiage  salary  of  teachers  is  $30  per  month.  The  district  is  two  miles  wide  and  three 
miles  long.  The  following  are  among  those  serving  as  directors :  Darius  Runkle,  R.  C. 
•Clugston,  H.  B.  Smiley,  Samuel  Clugston  and  Walter  McGaughy.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  teachers  since  1866 :  Alice  Norton,  Rachel  Clugston,  Chas.  lines,  Isaac  M. 
Martin,  Murray  Ritchie,  Lucinda  Wheat,  Rinda  Hamilton,  Ann  Pollock,  Luther  Crail, 
'Thomas  Maxwell  and  Bell  Hathaway. 

Pleasant  Grove,  District  No.  4. — The  school  building  is  situated  in  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  26,  and  was  erected  in  1858  at  a  cost  of  $610  ;  size,  20x30  feet ;  pres- 
ent value  $200  ;  80  scholars  in  district,  25  in  attendance  ;  average  salary  of  teachers,  $35 
per  month.  Among  the  various  directors  serving  from  time  to  time  are :  J.  J.  Wyatt,  W. 
Wilhelmes,  James  Greenwell,  W.  L.  Springer  and  W.  B.  Peck.  Teachers,  Thomas  L. 
Maxwell,  F.  P.  Lawyer,  M.  F.  Broodwell. 

District  No.  5. — The  school  house  of  this  district  is  situated  on  the  northeast  quarter 
of  section  17,  and  is  worth  $300.  In  the  district  are  sixty  scholars.  Directors  for  1876 : 
Andrew  Anstine  and  E.  P.  Munson.  Miss  Rella  Deeker,  teacher. 

District  No.  6. — This  district  was  organized  in  1860,  and  the  same  year  the  present 
school  building  was  erected  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  4.  It  is  a  good  frame 
and  worth  about  $300.  The  first  directors  were  :  William  C.  McKamy,  David  Cox,  and 
Orsamus  Farrington :  the  present  ones  are :  Columbus  Gibson,  John  McGoughy,  and 
James  Lawyer. 

District  No.  1. — School  building  is  situated  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  12  : 
is  a  good  frame  valued  at  $400.  Directors  for  1876  :  Ebenezer  Vail,  and  David  Bruner. 
Teacher — Romanus  Beaver.  There  are  thirty-five  scholars  in  this  distrct. 

Dixie,  District  No.  8 — This  district  was  organized  in  1864  and  the  school  building 
erected  on  section  23  the  same  year.  The  size  of  the  building  is  24x30  feet.  Present 
value  $400.  There  are  thirty-four  scholars  in  the  district,  with  twenty-five  in  attend- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  423 

ance.  Among  the  directors  having  served  are  Hugh  Wilson,  Dr.  M.  M.  Clark,  J.  Horke- 
roder.  J.  W.  Miller,  C.  R.  Shannon,  W.  S.  Pile,  and  J.  V.  "Wilson.  Among  those  teaching 
are  W.  S.  Pile,  Jane  Cannon,  James  Gregg,  and  Ross  Mikey. 

B!<tcl\  District  No.  9. — The  school  house  of  this  district  is  located  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  section  30.  and  was  built  in  1867  at  a  cost  of  $1,400;  size  26x28  feet.  In  the 
district  are  seventy-five  scholars,  with  an  average  attendance  of  twenty-five.  The  dis- 
trict is  1^/2  miles  wide  by  2%  miles  long.  The  following  have  served  as  directors:  Wil- 
liam Black,  R.  L.  Dark,  O.  C.  Crossen,  Edgar  Burnham,  and  James  Stott.  William 
Lucas  taught  first  school.  Clem.  White  taught  in  1876. 

SCOTLAND    TOWNSHIP. 

Croirit  Point,  Uixii'ii't  y<>.  1. — This  district  was  organized  April  21.  1856,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  at  the  residence  of  John  Upp.  A  small  frame  house  was  erected  the  same  year. 
The  district  increased  in  wealth  and  population  so  rapidly  that  they  were  compelled  to 
erect  a  new  building,  which  they  did  in  1874,  on  the  site  of  the  old  one,  and  at  a  cost  of 
£1.469.  The  present  building  is  supplied  with  all  the  modern  school  furniture,  and  is 
of  itself  a  model  of  beauty  and  convenience.  It  is  located  on  section  1.  Directors  that 
have  served  are:  Green  Lane,  S.  S.  Chapman,  T.  Langhlin,  D.  M.  Hammer,  John  Upp, 
John  Watson,  James  Savage.  Josiah  McDonald,  John  Foreman,  Alexander  Watson,  S.  N. 
Throckmorten,  J.  Knight.  The  following  named  were  teachers:  Levi  W.  Elliott,  Jacob 
Randolph,  David  Blazer,  Kate  Sabin,  O.  F.  Kolar,  H.  C.  Maxwell,  Minnie  Winfield,  Rettie 
Roberts.  W.  R.  Scott,  Emma  tKautz,  Miss  S.  P.  Walker,  Maria  Cannon,  James  Hess,  C. 
Bonfield,  John  J.  Miller,  Francis  Dierdoff,  J.  B.  Russell,  Laura  Phelps,  C.  L.  Millar, 
Flora  Xewcomb.  Lena  Richardson,  John  Griswold,  Rosa  Kirkpatrick,  J.  A.  Doran,  A. 
Beein.  Mary  Norris,  Charles  Imes,  Jennie  Blazer  and  Albert  Beem. 

M-  •  District  JVt;.  2. — Building  situated  on  section  4.  District  organized  in 

April.  1856.  During  the  first  year  school  was  held  in  a  log  dwelling  on  a  knoll  about  one- 
half  mile  west  of  the  present  building,  called  Mount  Nebo.  In  1857  a  good  frame  build- 
ing was  erected,  which,  on  the  first  of  March,  1868,  was  burned.  In  the  same  year 
another  house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,500  :  size,  24x32.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  all  the  directors  and  teachers  that  have  served  :  J.  H.  Swigart,  T.  M.  Fox,  Edmond 
Polk.  Isaac  Haines.  O.  S.  Thayer,  John  Crane,  M.  Bash,  H.  Dremch,  John  Blackburn,  N. 
H.  Pierce,  John  Mitchell,  John  Barclay.  B.  F.  Gloyd,  Thomas  Adcock,  Hyman  Morrison, 
Ellis  Crane,  Abner  Jones,  directors.  T.  McMahan,  Levi  Elliott,  Mr.  Griffith,  W.  W. 
Porter,  Kate  Sabin.  L.  Smith.  Priscilla  Hogue,  R.  Adcock,  L.  Ready,  William  Lucas 
Emma  Bliss,  J.  W.  Bugg.  J.  Wash.  E.  Winter,  Miss  Wood,  Berry  Ream,  Allie  Ervin,  Clay 
Agnew,  Ella  Scudder.  Archey  McCandless,  Mary  Taylor,  W.  S.  Wortman.  Flora  Newcomb, 
Harvey  Shannon,  Ella  Fulton,  teachers. 

District  y<>.  3. — School  building  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  6  ;  is  a 
good  frame  structure,  valued  at  $600.  The  directors  are.  W.  W.  Taylor,  Samuel  Frost 
and  Dr.  B.  R.  Westfall.  H.  C.  Lucas  taught  during  the  winter  of  1876-77. 

District  X<>.  4. — The  school  house  stands  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section  20,and  is 
valued  at  £300.  J.  L.  Smith,  William  Fry,  and  Robert  McNair  are  directors  :  teacher 
for  the  year  1876,  Sarah  Allison. 


424  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

District  No.  5.— This  district  has  a  good  frame  school  house,  and  is  known  as  "Center 
School."  The  building  is  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  16.  The  directors  are,  S.  CL 
Knight,  Cyrus  Townley  and  David  Pearce ;  teacher,  W.  S.  Wortman. 

Union,  District  No.  6 — District  organized  and  building  erected  in  1857  ;  house  located 
on  section  13  ;  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $700.  J.  M.  Rexroat,  AlphGray  and  Lewis  Wooley 
were  the  first  directors,  Alfred  Gray  taught  the  first  school ;  Edgar  Bolles  taught  five 
successive  terms. 

District  No.  7. — The  school  building  is  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  26  ; 
it  is  valued  at  $500.  The  directors  are,  Samuel  R.  Jones,  John  Thomas  and  Z.  J. 
Wooten:  teacher  for  1876-77,  Gertrude  Decker. 

District  No.  8. — The  school  house  stands  on  the  northeart  corner  of  section  33,  and  is 
valued  at  $600.  The  directors  are,  James  Clark,  Leonard  Odenweller  and  John  C.Moore  ; 
the  teacher  for  1876-77.  was  John  Odenweller. 

District  No.  9. — Building  situated  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  29.  District 
was  organized  in  April  1847.  A  building  18x28  was  then  erected,  one-half  mile  south  of 
the  present  one.  In  1863  they  moved  into  their  new  building.  The  directors  that  have 
served  in  this  district  are  named :  T.  Allison,  J.  M.  Walker,  William  J.  Pace,  G.  W.  Pro- 
vine,  John  Kinkade,  W.  Knowles,  J.  Sullivan,  James  Walker,  C.  Blazer,  J.  Vance,  John 
Provine,  R.  Knowles,  A.  J.  Pace,  J.  Moore,  J.  Norville,  James  Allison. 

MACOMB    TOWNSHIP. 

District  No.  1. — District  organized  in  1866,  and  the  house  moved  from  District  No.  2, 
to  its  present  location  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  12,  the  same  year.  Directors  r 
S.  C.  Decker,  James  Boyd,  Andrew  Brandt,  A.  B.  Markham,  J.  B.  Kohule,  J.  Rowels,  J. 
C.  Davis,  T.  B.  Martin,  J.  B.  Bricker,  J.  T.  Parvin.  Teachers — Mollie  Smith,  Hannah 
Parvin,  Aggie  Hasting,  Tillie  Moore,  Martin  Hoagland,  Henry  McElvain,  Ella  Mark- 
ham,  Taylor  Kirkham,  Mary  Plowman,  Miss  Arthur. 

Mount  Solon,  District  No.  2. — Building  located  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
10,  and  erected  in  1866,  at  a  cost  of  $1,080.  It  is  24x38.  In  1865,  District  No.  7  was 
divided,  making  districts  number  1,  and  7.  In  1867,  No.  7  was  changed  to  No.  2.  Direc- 
tors— Mattison  Irwin,  L.  H.  Shriner,  Abraham  Switzer,  D.  L.  Randolph,  Enos  Spangler, 
A.  L.  Bryan,  H.  H.  McElvain,  Foster  Dobbins,  Jacob  Spangler,  Durham  Harris.  Teach- 
ers—Mary R.  Smith,  Lizzie  Runkle,  B.  R.  Hoagland,  J.  G.  Scroggs,  Sadie  Parker,  Will- 
iam Black,  C.  Hamilton,  William  N.  Porter,  Miss  Hamilton,  O.  C.  Miller.  Marshall  McEl- 
vain, Nelson  Knowlton,  Delia  Milton. 

District  No.  3. — This  district  is  consolidated  with  District  No.  8.  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship. 

Mount  Pleasant  or  Orabb,  District  No.  4. — District  organized,  directors  elected,  and 
house  built  in  1868.  Building  located  on  section  16  ;  cost,  $375  ;  size,  20x24  feet.  The 
following  are  the  names  of  all  the  directors  since  1858,  and  also  the  teachers  :  I.  N.  Van- 
meter,  B.  R.  Hampton,  George  Upp,  D.  M.  Crabb,  Dr.  G.  I.  Cowgill,  H.  B.  Webb,  A.  J. 
Hawkins,  Charles  Philbert,  S.  P.  Foreman,  W.  D.  Bevins,  N.  Owens,  Samuel  Agnew, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  425 

William  Runkle,  directors.  Mary  Spangler,  Rufus  Spangler,  George  Litzenberg,  Caroline 
Spangler,  D.  M.  Spangler,  I.  N.  Vanmeter,  P.  Davis,  Addie  Rogers,  C.  H.  Black,  William 
Stouton,  Annie  Shaw,  Malinda  Robinson,  Annie  Crabb,  Nannie  Lyon,  George  Fuhr,  Sarah 
Vanmeter.  Ella  Thompson,  N.  Lewis,  teachers. 

Union,  District  No.  5. — This  district  is  composed  of  portions  of  Macomb  and  Emmet 
townships,  and  has  in  it  two  buildings,  one  located  in  section  1,  of  Emmet,  and  one  in 
section  18,  of  Macomb.  Both  were  erected  in  1856  at  a  cost  of  $840  each.  Previous  to 
this  a  log  house,  that  stood  on  the  Laughlin  place,  was  used.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  present  directors,  as  well  as  some  of  the  former  ones :  A.  H.  Brooking, 
Adam  Munger.  G.  Chaplin,  J.  R.  Wallingford,  Silas  Creel,  Firman  Casto,  W.  F.  Brook- 
ing, W.  B.  Curtis.  James  Statler,  William  Stickle.  J.  W.  Arnold.  Among  the  teachers  are 
the  following :  Mary  Spangler,  James  Munger,  Eva  Riley,  Cynthia  Ratekin,  Mary  Decker. 

Pleasant  Hill,  District  So.  6. — School  house  situated  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  23.  District  organized  and  house  erected  in  1855,  at  a  cost  of  $300.  The  year 
previous  to  this  Miss  Louisa  Westfall  taught  in  a  log  house  some  distance  southeast  of 
the  present  building.  In  1866  a  new  house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,650;  its  size  is 
.26x36.  Miss  Sarah  Westfall  taught  the  first  term  in  the  old  house.  The  average  salary 
of  teachers  is  $35  per  month.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  directors  since  the 
organization  and  also  of  the  teachers  :  Directors — J.  H.  McCandless,  O.  M.  Hoagland, 
Reuben  Smith,  George  Booth,  J.  D.  Curry,  G.  H.  Cogswell,  David  Holler,  Lamont  Orr, 
E.  K.  Westfall.  Frank  Perrine,  A.  Harris,  Bigger  Head,  J.  S.  McNelley,  J.  M.  Archer,  G. 
J.  Booth,  Z.  T.  Parvin,  G.  F.  Curry,  Robert  Ellison,  W.  H.  Leighty,  William  Edmondson. 
Teachers— Sarah  Westfall,  Mahala  Pelly,  Warren  Porter,  J.  A.  James,  T.  S.  Clarke,  Miss 
E.  V.  Kyle,  G.  W.  Hammond,  Nannie  Eaton,  Phebie  A.  Dickerson,  E.  K.  Westfall,  J.  C. 
Rahe,  Mollie  E.  Hoagland,  -Hibernia  Reinwold,  R.  S.  Davis,  E.  B.  Walker,  Lettie  R. 
Stowell,  S.  J.  Park,  Lou  T.  Huston,  W.  H.  Black,  Anna  Porter,  J.  M.  Vincent,  Frank 
Westfall.  George  Switzer,  A.  Been,  Kate  Elting. 

Bardolph.  Di*tri<t,  3~o.  1. — This  district  was  organized  several  years  ago.  and  about 
1860  a  good  frame  school  house  was  erected  in  Bardolph.  The  school  building  now  oc- 
cupied is  in  the  town  of  Bardolph,  and  is  a  good  two-story  frame  structure,  containing 
four  rooms,  and  was  built  in  1874.  The  present  directors,  the  first  board  under  the  new 
organization,  are,  Columbus  Hathaway,  Robert  Work  and  T.  A.  Jackson. 

Wiley,  Ditt/'irf  Xv.8. — The  present  building'was  erected  in  the  summer  of  1877,  and 
is  provided  with  all  the  modern  improvements  ;  it  is  26x36,  and  cost  about  $1,300 ;  the 
school  house  is  located  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  34.  Previous  to  the  erection  of 
this  building  a  school  house  stood  on  the  same  lot  and  was  built  in  1863  at  a  cost  of  $731 ; 
this  was  sold  at  public  sale  in  1877  for  $70.  Average  salary  of  teachers,  $35  per  month; 
verage  attendance,  23 ;  those  that  have  served  as  directors  are,  William  H.  Rile,  George 
Booth,  John  S.  Martin,  C.  W.  DaUam,  A.  D.  McBride,  J.  S.  Scholl,  John  Wiley,  Sam.  Pol- 
lock, Albert  Mosler,  Samuel  Kelso,  Albert  Huston  and  Joseph  Parks  ;  teachers  that  have 
taught  are,  Cynthia  Polk,  Miss  A.  M.  Case.  Miss  McCandless,  Wm.  Bell,  Miss  Dickison, 
Jennie  Treudley.  Miss  E.  A.  Guy.  Ella  Walker,  Annie  Clarke,  Lizzie  Rile,  C.  Hamilton,  W. 


426  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

S.  Wortman,   Mr.  Cunningham,  G.  W.  Simpson,  Mr.   Miller,  Albert  Beer,  Ella  Gloydr 
Dordia  Rile,  Wm.  Porter,  Luella  Kimble  and  Charles  Imes. 

Harmony,  District  No.  9. — This  District  was  organized  in  1863,  and  a  house,  24x28 
built  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $470  ;  it  is  located  on  section  29.  The  following  are  the 
directors  that  have  managed  the  school  since  1863  :  George  Fuhr,  E.L.  Randolph,  Isaac 
Cline,  T.  Knapp,  D.  Maguire,  S.  R.  Gloyd  and  A.  G.  Black.  Teachers  :  Theodore  Knapp, 
Miss  B.  Knapp,  Annie  Shaw,  Jennie  Treudley,  Hellen  Ferguson,  Wm.  Knapp,  Amanda 
Updegraff,  Wilson  McCandless,  Edmonia  Phelps,  Lula  Terry. 

WALNUT    GBOVE. 

District  No.  1. — House  moved  to  its  present  location,  northwest  corner  of  section  12, 
in  1863;  size  24x28;  value  $200.  The  following  are  the  present  directors  :  D.  B.  Keith, 

Hittle,  Henry  Mariner.  Among  the  teachers  have  been  Hattie  Kellough,  Charlea 

Mariner,  and  Sarah  McDonald. 

Locust  Grove  District  No.  2. — District  organized  in  18G3;  building  erected  the  fol- 
lowing year;  size  18x24:  present  value  $200:  located  on  the  southeast  corner  of  section  4. 
The  average  salary  of  teachers  is  $35  per  month.  Among  the  directors  are  the  follow- 
ing: William  Griggs,  Warner  Tracy,  G.  W.  Buckner,  W.  W.  Shoop,  Henry  Young,  Wil- 
liam Tracy.  Among  the  teachers  are  Robert  Griggs,  James  Bugg,  Arch  Neal,  Henry 
Painter,  Minnie  Matthews,  Jane  Morey. 

Hollow  Hill,  District  No.  3. — District  organized  in  1863;  house  built  in  1864:  size 
20x30;  value  $250;  location  northeast  corner  of  section  7.  There  are  twenty-nine  schol- 
ars in  this  district  and  an  average  attendance  of  16.  Among  the  directors  that  have 
served  this  district  are  E.  A.  Campbell,  D.  A.  Vanice,  Henry  Graham,  William  J.  Edie. 
B.  F.  Swain,  John  Cochrane,  George  B.  Sanders,  George  W.  Stanley.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  some  of  the  teachers  that  have  taught  in  this  district:  Priscilla  Waddle, 
Annie  Hamilton,  Charles  True,  William  Wilcoxen,  Charles  Greenup,  Annie  Hurl,  James- 
Campbell,  Mrs.  Emma  McDonald,  Alexander  Campbell,  Caroline  Vance,  Libbie  Harris, 
Rachel  Hobel. 

Hiwassie,  District  No.  4. — This  school  district  was  organized  August  10,  1863,  and  a 
house  built  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  19,  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $351  50.. 
and  in  1873  it  was  moved  to  its  present  location  on  section  18.  School  was  first  taught 
in  this  building  by  S.  P.  Camp,  who  commenced  teaching  December  10,  1863  ;  owing  to 
ill  health  he  was  compelled  to  quit  teaching  in  a  short  time.  William  H.  Harris  taught 
the  remainder  of  the  term.  Previous  to  building  this  house  the  children  of  this  district,, 
as  well  of  1,  2,  and  3,  were  sent  to  Hickory  Grove  School,  which  stood  on  section  8,  and 
is  now  the  Shiloh  church  building.  The  first  directors  were  :  S.  P.  Camp,  E.  Lemons, 
and  C.  C.  Kennett.  The  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  directors  :  J.  I.  Norton,. 
William  Hastie,  W.  H.  Lemon,  T.  J.  Camp,  I.  W.  Whittlesey,  Z.  B.  Hart,  James  Booth, 
J.  A.  Brown,  Dewitt  Cruser,  and  Charles  Stiwalt. 

Centre,  District  No.  5. — Organized  in  1863  ;  building  erected  at  a  cost  of  $500,  size 
22x24  ;  located  in  section  16.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served  this  district  from 
time  to  time  are  the  following  named  :  Jessie  Arbagast,  Madison  C.  Stearns,  D.  W.  Lantz, 


HISTORY    OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY.  427 

William  Jones.  J.  W.  Boden,  C.  S.  Van  Sycle.  Among  the  teachers  that  have  taught  are : 
Annie  Anstine.  Nancy  McGowen,  Miss  Lowry,  Mattie  Buck.  Jennie  Messelrode,  James 
Robinson. 

Greenwood,  District  No.  7. — Building  located  on  section  26;  erected  in  1872  :  size, 
20x30.  Durant  Litchfield,  D.  Chidester.  and  A.  Arthur  are  the  present  directors,  and 
Miss  Melton  the  teacher  for  the  year  1876. 

Union,  District  No.  8. — This  district  is  a  union  of  No.  3,  of  Macomb,  and  No.  8,  of 
Walnut  Grove  townships.  The  building  is  situated  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
32  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  is  valued  at  $500.  The  directors  are  :  Jacob  Detrick, 
David  Brockway,  and  Mr.  Graham. 

Linn  Gr»ce.  District  No.  6. — House  located  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section  24,  and 
erected  in  1863  at  a  cost  of  $500  ;  present  value.  $350  ;  size,  18x26.  Directors — William 
W.  Stewart,  J.  T.  Lewis,  A.  J.  Tiger,  B.  F.  Fox,  H.  Rodenback,  H.  George,  William  M. 
Hagemen,  J.  D.  Hagemen,  William  Pugh.  Teachers — Mary  Spangler,  M.  J.  Johnson, 
Maria  Sperling,  Miss  Applegate,  Sarah  Fox,  Bell  Fowler,  Mary  Mariner,  Cynthia  Ratekin, 
Rowan  Hamlin,  Addie  Engle,  M.  H.  McElvain,  G.  A.  Switzer,  Mahala  Markham,  O.  W. 
Clark. 

District  Xo.  9. — This  district  has  a  good  brick  building,  situated  on  section  9,  which 
was  built  in  1861  at  a  cost  of  $400.  Joseph  Sullivan,  James  Depoy,  C.  C.  Horrell,  Wil- 
liam H.  Nankiville,  John  Thompson,  Jesse  R.  Riggs,  J.  P.  Blue,  William  J.  Horrell,  R. 
Burton,  and  C.  Keeseker.  have  served  as  directors.  Addie  Neece,  N.  Neece,  Samuel 
Riggs,  Rebecca  Pollock,  W.  E.  Venard.  and  Ella  Hume  have  taught  in  this  district. 

CHALMERS     TOWNSHIP. 

There  are  in  this  township  twelve  districts,  four  of  which  are  in  union  with  other 
townships. 

District  No.  1. — The  school  building  is  located  upon  the  southeast  quarter  of  section 
1.  William  Hunter.  T.  C.  Kirkpatrick.  and  Cyrus  Head  served  as  directors  for  1876-77: 
Gary  Head  teacher  for  the  same  time. 

District  No.  3. — The  school  house  is  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  3.  Directors 
for  1876-77  were  T.  L.  Bowen.  Nicholas  Bucher,  and  James  Roak,  and  Nancy  D.  Bowen, 
teacher. 

District  No.  3. — The  school  house  is  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  8.  The 
directors  are  W.  S.  Gordon.  Marvel  Bean,  and  John  Inman.  John  O.  Owen  taught  in 
1&76-77. 

District  No.  4. — The  school  building  was  erected  in  1867,  on  section  17  ;  it  is  brick,  20 
x30,  and  cost  $900,  Previous  to  the  building  of  this  house,  school  was  held  in  an  old 
log  house  which  was  built  about  1857.  The  directors  are,  A.  B.  Cherry,  Chas,  A.  Stevens 
and  Jackson  Riggs,  Among  those  teaching  are,  T.  Curtis,  J.  M.  Dunsworth.  Ada  Curtis, 
Ella  Humes  and  Ada  Ingals. 

District  No.  5. — School  house  situated  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section  22.  Direct- 
ors for  1876-77  were  John  Kaiser.  John  Johnson  and  A.  Decker,  Watkins  Decker  was 
teacher  during  the  same  time. 


428  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

District  No.  6. — The  school  house  stands  upon  the  northeast  corner  of  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  14.  Among  those  serving  as  directors  are  :  W.  S,  McClelland,  G.  W. 
Eeid  and  Michael  Megan.  The  teacher  for  1876-77  was  Kate  Kennedy. 

District  No.  1. — The  school  building  is  located  on  section  25,  and  is  a  good  frame 
structure,costing  but  $500.  The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  as  Directors:  W. 
F,  Wayland,  Joshua  Wayland,  S.  T.  McClure,  Tom  Andrews,  James  T.  McClure  and  Geo. 
P.  Norton.  Among  those  teacning  here  are,  Susan  Haney,  Sophia  Leonard,  Sarah  K, 
Blazer,  Laura  E.  Clugston,  H.  M.  Scroggs,  Sarah  Allison,  Annie  Pace,  Ella  McClure  and 
Susie  Wayland. 

District  No,  8. — This  school  is  known  as  the  ''Long  Nine  School."  The  building  is 
located  on  section  33  ;  it  is  a  good,  frame  house  and  formerly  stood  in  Middletown,  and 
used  as  a  business  house  ;  was  purchased  by  the  district  in  1866,  for  $600,  and  moved  to  its 
present  site :  the  district  was  organized  April  2, 1866.  Among  th  3  directors  serving  have 
been,  S.  Strader,  J.  H.  Snyder,  Jessie  McCarmack,  Abraham  Black  and  R.  H.  Horrell  ; 
teacher  for  1876-77  was  Ella  McClure. 

Union  District  No.  1. — School  house  located  in  Bethel  township,  section  1;  directors 
are  E.  Venard  and  John  Weaver  ;  David  Blazer,  teacher  for  1876 ;  Alice  Smith  for  1877. 

Union  District  No.  6. — School  house  in  the  town  of  Colchester. 

Union  District  No.  8. — Building  located  on  section  19.  Directors  for  1876-77  were  H. 
C.  Dramond,  Oscar  Floury,  and  Kobert  Myers;  the  teacher  for  the  same  period  was  E. 
E.  Hoyt. 

Union  District  No.  12. — School  house  located  in  Fandon.  Among  those  serving  as 
directors  were  E.  C.  Clark  and  Jacob  Coon. 

EMMET. 

Union  District  No.  1. — School  was  taught  in  a  log  house  near  Clarke's  saw-mill  by 
Henry  Hardin  as  early  as  1835,  and  in  1840  a  log  house  was  built  on  section  10,  near 
where  the  present  building  now  stands,  for  school  purposes,  and  the  first  school  was 
taught  by  J.  L.  Cross.  For  several  years,  or  until  about  1854,  this  log  house  was  used  as  a 
school  building,  when  a  difficulty  arose  among  the  parents  in  regard  to  a  teacher  then 
employed,  and,  in  order  to  prevent  the  school  being  continued  the  house  was  one  night 
torn  down,  or  made  unfit  for  use.  The  term  of  school,  however,  was  finished  in  the 
house  of  T.  G.  Painter  by  Jane  Maxwell.  Soon  after,  perhaps  the  same  year,  the  pres- 
ent building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $500.  It  is  22x28.  The  following  named  gentle- 
men have  served  as  directors:  George  Stickle,  F.  M.  Painter,  H.  Simmons,  Thomas 
Simmons,  A.  Stickle,  Jacob  Stickle,  Samuel  McCray,  S.  Bland  and  Mr.  Teaford.  Among 
the  teachers  employed  by  this  district  were  Levi  Elliott,  J.  T.  Neal,  J.  S.  White,  J.  H. 
Simmons,  Sue  M.  Pitman,  Mary  E.  Norris,  Ella  Lowe,  William  Botteiiburg,  Florence 
Phelps,  George  Berry  and  Miss  Frank  Stickle. 

District  No.  2. — Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  present  building,  a  log  school  house 
was  used,  built  by  general  contribution  in  1841.  It  stood  one  quarter  of  a  mile  north- 
east of  the  present  building,  which  was  erected  in  1864,  at  a  cost  of  $600 ;  size,  20x30. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  429 

Annie  P.  Shaw  taught  first  school  in  this  building.  John  Siders,  Rosa  Barnes,  Mary  E. 
Siders,  John  Roach,  Sarah  E.  Begg,  Mandy  Cartwright,  Mattie  Nelson,  and  Dora  Fur- 
geson  have  taught  here.  Among  those  serving  as  directors  were  :  John  D.  Hainline,  A. 
J.  Hainline,  and  James  Griffith.  The  average  salary  paid  teachers  is  $35  per  month,  and 
the  average  attendance  22. 

Yards,  District  No.  3. — This  is  one  of  the  best  school  buildings  in  the  township.  It 
stands  on  section  29,  and  is  valued  at  $700.  The  directors  are  Thomas  C.  Yard,  William 

B.  Naylor,  and  William  Craig.     J.  W.  Bugg  taught  here  for  the  winter  of  1876,  and  Miss 
Agnes  Tipton  during  the  summer  of  1877. 

District  Xo.  4 — The  building  is  one  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Macomb,  on  section  35. 
It  is  valued  at  $150.  The  directors  are :  B.  M.  Fuller,  John  Fleming,  and  L.  W.  Dicker- 
son;  Miss  Mary  Harrison  taught  here  during  the  winter  of  1876-77. 

Union  District  No.  5. — The  school  building  is  on  section  1.  It  was  erected  in  1856  at  a 
cost  of  $840.  This  is  a  Union  district,  having  two  houses,  one  in  Macomb  township. 
H.  A.  Summer  and  Cyntha  Creel,  teachers  for  1876-77.  (See  Union,  District  No.  5,  Ma- 
comb township.) 

Oak  Grove,  District  No.  6. — This  district  was  organized  in  1866,  and  the  same  year  the 
present  building  was  erected.  It  stands  on  section  17,  and  is  a  good  frame,  costing 
$800 ;  its  size  is  22x26.  The  average  attendance  is  forty.  Previous  to  the  erection  of 
this  house  school  was  taught  in  a  building  one  mile  west.  James  Forrest,  B.  F.  Guy, 
John  Ledgerwood,  Riley  Pennington,  J.  Bay  less,  Perry  Pennington,  Elisha  Ledgerwood, 
and  George  Calvert  have  officiated  as  directors.  Edward  Neal,  Louisa  Sweeney,  T.  J. 
West,  Elsie  Vaudevander,  Sadie  A.  Stickle,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Atkinson,  EUaWhitson>J.  W.  Budd, 
Mollie  Mains,  Sallie  Berry,  and  Henry  Knappenberger  were  among  the  teachers. 

McKee,  District  No.  1 — Building  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  13.  This 
building  was  erected  in  1876  at  a  cost  of  $550.  The  old  house,  which  stands  upon  the 
same  lot,  was  sold  to  the  township  for  the  purposes  of  holding  therein  elections,  town 
meetings,  etc.  The  directors  are  Julias  Hartung,  Charles  M.  Elting,  and  Samuel  H.  Mar- 
tin. John  Casto  taught  during  the  winter  of  1876.  and  Miss  Kate  Elting  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1877. 

District  No.  8. — This  district  was  formed  by  the  divison  of  No.  7.  The  school  house 
was  erected  in  1877  at  a  cost  of  $350  :  it  stands  on  section  22.  The  directors  are  Gary 
Griffith,  Hugh  White,  and  Michael  Callahan.  The  first  teacher  was  Miss  Alice  Newell. 

SCIOTA  TOWNSHIP. 

Surnsi'iUe,  District  No.  1 — Previous  to  the  organization  of  this  district,  school  was 
held  in  the  same  building,  then  standing  one  mile  south  of  its  present  location  and 
known  as  district  No.  5.  In  1871  No.  5  was  divided,  forming  the  present  districts  1  and 

C.  The  building  was  erected  several  years  ago,   and  stands  on  the  northeast  corner  of 
section  11.     H.  Robinson,  D.  A.  Robbins,  Eli  Davis,  John  Campbell,  Isaiah  Beckelhymer, 
Thomas  Hamilton  are  those  serving  this  district  as  directors,  and  as  teachers  the  follow- 
ing: Miss  S.  J.  Morey.  Miss  E.  Herald,  C.  A.  Morey,  Annie  Cochrane,  Annie  Hamilton' 
James  Cochrane. 


430  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Pleasant  Gale.  District  No.  2. — The  house  is  situated  in  the  southeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion 4,  and  was  built  in  1868,  the  same  year  the  district  was  organized;  the  size  of  the 
building  if  20x28,  and  the  cost  $450.  There  are  thirty-five  school  children  in  the  dis- 
trict and  an  average  attendance  of  twenty.  Directors — Thomas  Wright,  William  Aten, 
B.  C.  Perky,  Seth  Woods,  Thomas  Shaw,  Henry  Dirk,  Joseph  Breiner.  Miss  James,  C. 
Morey,  Miss  Dilley,  Allie  Pyle,  Addie  Pyle,  Miss  McMillan,  Miss  Murphy,  Nellie  Davis, 
Miss  Prichard,  Miss  Sperling,  teachers. 

District  No.  3 — In  1868,  District  No.  2  was  divided  forming  3  and  4.  The  house  was 
moved  to  its  present  location,  northwest  corner  section  8,  the  same  year,  and  is  22x26 
feet  and  valued  at  $150.  Directors  serving  since  1868  are  :  Geo.  Cassingham,  John  Tip- 
ton,  William  Throp,  T.  Kellough,  E.  Dice,  William  Keinhart,  James  Mustain,  Smith  Bou- 
well,  and  Samuel  Bush.  The  teachers  are  :  Alvia  Boylan,  Maria  Castle,  Adia  Pyle,  Em- 
ma Sperling,  G.  W.  Kellough,  Harvy  Tipton,  Samantha  James,  Fannie  Tipton,  Martha  E. 
McDonald. 

Muddy  Lane,  District  No.  4. — This  district  was  organized  in  1867  ;  the  school  house 
was  built  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $450  ;  its  size  is  18x24  feet.  There  are  from  twenty 
to  thirty-five  scholars  in  attendance,  and  the  average  salaries  of  teachers  is  $35.  S. 
Chandler,  P.  Dirk,  J.  Deems,  Lyman  Welch,  E.  Allshouse,  Joseph  Yager,  G.  W.  Bugg, 
Able  James,  William  Miller  have  been  the  directors.  John  W.  Siders,  Rosa  Barnes, 
Samantha  James,  Miss  Whiteley,  Mattie  Cochran,  Mary  Hopper,  John  McCartney,  J.  W. 
Bugg,  G.  Prall,  N.  Hall,  N.  Aten,  Samuel  Barlow,  George  Kelo,  Mary  Siders,  teachers. 

Center,  District  No.  5. — This  district  was  organized  in  1858.  and  a  building  erected  on 
section  22,  the  same  year,  at  a  cost  of  $450  ;  size,  20x24  feet.  The  following  named  have 
served  as  directors  :  J.  T.  Green,  J.  H.  Hennen,  Samuel  Heaton,  John  Lowe,  T.  B.  Nes- 
bitt,  J.  W.  Lowe,  G.  W.  Warren,  J.  M.  Dew,  William  HaU,  Robert  Buchanan,  and  M.  W. 
Cozad.  The  following  persons  have  engaged  as  teachers  :  Fredrica  Longenscheidt, 
Martha  Ruddle,  T.  B.  Nesbett,  Miss  V.  A.  Treudly,  J.  V.  Haggerty,  Louisa  Champion, 
William  F.  Dunn,  Rosa  Barnes,  Emma  Kautz,  J.  Siders,  G.  E.  Dew,  S.  J.  Cannon,  Maria 
Cannon,  Harvy  Lemon,  Gertrude  Van  Hosen,  J.  M.  Forrest,  George  Lerew,  Seeley  Mari- 
mer,  Mattie  Cochran,  Emma  Hess. 

Willow  Grove,  District  No.  6. — The  school  building  is  located  in  the  southeast  corner 
of  section  14,  and  was  erected  in  1872  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  It  is  a  good  frame,  24x28  feet. 
The  average  attendance  is  sixteen.  The  directors  have  been  J.  W.  Brewster,  J.  B.  Ven- 
ard,  Leonard  Yeast,  William  Ragan,  Parley  Heath,  William  Wisherd,  J.  M.  Yaple,  and 
N.  S.  Dennis.  Teachers — Sarah  Blazer,  Josie  Curtis.  H.  C.  Agnew,  N.  S.  Dennis,  Addie 
Engle,  Ella  Lowe. 

/Sciota,  District  No.  10. — The  school  building  is  in  the  town  of  Sciota,  and  was 
erected  in  1872  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  In  1875  an  addition,  costing  $600,  was  added.  S. 
M.  Hale,  Dr.  E.  Brown  and  Obemeyer  are  the  present  directors.  The  main  building  is 
24x36;  its  addition  17x22. 

Good  Hope. — This  was  formerly  District  No.  9  of  Walnut  Grove  and  Sciota  town- 
ships. The  school  building  was  then  situated  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  30  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  431 

the  former  township,  and  WES  erected  in  1861.  It  was  removed  to  Good  Hope  in  1874, 
since  which  time  it  has  given  place  to  a  larger  and  neater  building,  one  that  is  an  honor 
to  the  town. 

LAMOINE   TOWNSHIP. 

Colms.tr,  District  No.  7. — The  school  building  is  located  on  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  northwest  quarter  of  section  8,  and  was  erected  in  1857;  in  1876  an  addition  was. 
built  and  the  old  building  remodeled;  value  $650.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  build- 
ing school  was  held  in  a  house  belonging  to  Henry  Brickell.  Among  those  serving  as- 
directors  were  George  Barker,  Samuel  Morrow,  Henry  Brickie,  George  Johnson,  and 
Benjamin  Waddle.  The  teacher  for  1877  was  Mr.  Berry  and  receives  $65  per  month. 

TENNESSEE    TOWNSHIP. 

District  No.  1. — There  are  two  school  buildings  in  this  district,  valued  at  $600 — one 
situated  in  Hillsgrove,  the  other  on  section  20.  Directors — Thomas  Fulkerson,  George 
Ruddle,  and  Van  Gilchrist.  Teachers  for  1875 — Mr.  S.  Rush  and  Miss  E.  Ritchie. 

District  N<>.  2. — The  school  house  stands  on  section  26,  and  is  valued  at  $500;  it  was 
erected  in  1869.  The  directors  are  Q.  Smith  and  L.  F.  Carson;  teacher  for  winter  cf 
1876-77  was  S.  D.  Freeland. 

District  N<>.  3. — The  school  building  is  situated  on  section  10,  and  is  valued  at  $400, 
Directors — J.  Zimmerman  and  R.  M.  McClure. 

District  No.  4. — For  many  years,  and  until  1856,  school  was  taught  in  northern  part  of 
section  5  ;  the  district  then  was  five  miles  square  ;  Pinkney  Simmons  taught  here  as  early 
as  1851 ;  the  present  building,  which  is  also  located  on  section  5,  on  the  southwest  quar- 
quarter,  was  built  in  1857  ;  it  is  about  16x20  feet,  and  is  worth  $100.  There  are  sixty- 
three  scholars  in  the  district,  with  an  attendance  of  thirty  ;  salary  of  teachers  will  ave- 
rage $30  per  month.  William  Allison,  Joseph  White,  and  James  Anderson  were  the 
first  directors.  In  1876  J.  B.  Eakle,  Stephen  M.  Chipman,  and  J.  G.  Dixon  were  elected 
directors. 

T<  ;i:/>  **ec,  District  No.  5. — Building  erected  in  1873  at  a  cost  of  $7,000  ;  located  in  the 
town  of  Tennessee.  Directors — John  Myer,  William  Cook,  and  William  Cowan.  Teach- 
ers— Miss  S.  Blazer  and  Miss  L.  Grafton. 

Union,  District  No.  6. — The  school  house  is  in  Colchester  ;  is  a  good  brick  structure, 
erected  but  a  few  years  ago  at  a  cost  of  $8,000.  I.  B.  Hunt,  R.Musson,  and  J.  U.  Under- 
bill are  directors.  C.  W.  Parker,  George  McDaniel,  Miss  M.  Finley,  and  Miss  C.  Archer, 
teachers  for  1876-77. 

Districts  Nos.  1  and  8. — The  buildings  of  these  districts  are  not  in  Tennessee  town- 
ships ;  one  is  located  on  sections  19,  Chalmers  township,  and  known  as  District  No.  8,  the 
other  on  section  36,  Hire  township. 

Union  District  No.  9.. — The  house  is  situated  on  section  18,  and  is  valued  at  $300.. 
Directors— L.  Underbill  and  T.  B.  Wilson.  Teacher— Miss  Forrest. 


432  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

HIKE    TOWNSHIP. 

District  No.  1. — The  school  building  is  located  on  section  11,  and  was  erected  in  1862 
at  a  cost  of  $400  ;  it  is  18x22  feet.  The  following  named  persons  have  served  as  directors: 
William  Johnson,  Lucius  Shryack,  A.  Brown,  Marcellus  Shryack,  Abijah  Huff,  William 
L.  Shryack,  James  Keithley,  Bedford  Graham,  Joseph  Bice,  C.  W.  Sly,  S.  B.  Davis,  and 
John  Hays.  The  following  named  persons  have  been  teachers  :  S.  B.  Davis,  Mary  E. 
Siders,  Alice  A.  Phelps,  J.  W.  Bugg,  John  Argenbright,  Lizzie  Argenbright,  J.  W.  Sell, 
J.  W.  Siders,  Sarah  J.  Cannon,  Jennie  Bunger,  Thomas  Brennon,  Christiana  Fultz,  Eliza- 
beth Cannon,  Peter  Pancake,  Amanda  George,  Emma  Earp,  and  Samuel  Creighton. 

District  No.  2. — The  school  house  stands  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  3,  and  is 
valued  at  $200.  In  the  district  are  ninety-two  scholars.  John  Fisher,  James  Bailey,  and 
Floyd  Foster  are  the  directors. 

District  No.  3. — This  district  was  organized  in  1864.  The  house  stands  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  section  8,  is  18x28  feet,  and  valued  at  $100.  There  are  forty-two  scholars 
in  the  district,  with  an  average  attendance  of  fifteen.  Among  the  directors  elected  are  : 
Samuel  Logan,  William  Williams,  William  H.  Hungate,  Solomon  Hainline,  and  Charles 
Libby.  The  following  have  been  the  teachers  :  S.  D.  Freeland,  Viola  Logan,  Wharton 
Alexander,  Sarah  Sorter,  C.  H.  Hungate,  and  Julia  Courtright. 

Rock  Creek,  District  No.  4. — District  organized  in  1857,  the  same  year  of  the  town- 
ship. The  present  building  was  erected  in  1873,  at  a  cost  of  $1,060,  and  is  22x30;  it  is 
situated  on  section  17.  There  are  fifty  scholars  in  the  district,  with  an  attendance  of 
thirty.  Isaac  Oakman,  James  Williams,  James  White,  James  Barnett,  John  Needier, 
George  Hainline,  Jacob  Hainline  and  Jesse  Hainline  have  served  as  directors,  and 
among  those  teaching  were  Susie  Campbell,  Jennie  Freeland,  Miss  Barr,  Sylvester  Hutch- 
ins,  Flora  Newcomb,  Luella  Holliday,  James  Duff,  and  William  Reynolds. 

District  No.  5. — The  building  is  located  on  section  22,  is  20  by  30,  and  was  moved  to 
its  present  site  is  1862;  the  value  of  the  house  is  $200.  The  following  have  served  as 
directors  from  time  to  time :  T.  F.  Wilson,  William  C.  Hainline,  F.  Freeland,  A.  J.  Veal, 
Israel  Null,  John  Graham,  Wesley  Hawkins,  Jacob  Parrish,  Thomas  Hainline,  John 
Kirk,  Elijah  Stookey,  David  Keithley,  J.  F.  Richardson,  John  Charter,  J.  S.  Veal.  As 
teachers  we  find  the  following  named  persons :  Sophrona  Freeland,  S.  B.  Davis,  Bell 
Hainline,  Miss  E.  Palmer,  T.  K.  Roach,  Belle  Courtwright,  A.  M.  Johnson,  A.  R.  Bullock, 
IB.  C.  Underwood,  J.  W.  Bugg,  Homer  Fiscus,  Sarah  Null,  J.  Fisc-as,  J.  W.  Siders,  Malinda 
Bennie,  J.  E.  Hainline,  Amanda  George,  Annie  Russell  and  Nannie  Pedrick. 

District  No.  6. — School  building  erected  in  1872  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section 
23;  size,  20x30;  there  are  sixty  scholars  in  the  district  with  an  average  attendance  of 
thirty-five.  John  Carmack,  J.  E.  Carlyle,  Eli  Murray,  Thomas  Parker,  and  Thomas  Ben- 
nett have  been  directors,  and  Mrs.  Sweeney,  J.  T.  Murray,  Miss  Kane,  J.  Griswqld,  John 
Lovett,  M.  Martin,  and  Andrew  Adair  have  been  teachers. 

District  No.  1. — The  school  building  stands  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  36; 
its  value  is  $300;  in  the  district  are  ninety-eight  scholars.  The  following  are  the  direc- 
tors: Elijah  Welch,  William  Cormack,  and  Allen  Murray. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  433 

Hicks,  District  No.  8. — This  school  district  was  organized  in  1852.  and  a  house  built 
the  following  year,  and  in  1867  the  present  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  It 
is  24x30,  and  is  located  in  section  34.  In  the  district  are  about  forty  scholars,  twenty- 
five  of  whom  attend  school.  The  directors  serving  since  1852  are  :  E.  N.  Hicks,  Jeffer- 
son Hire,  William  Swazy.  James  Beard,  Samuel  Pulliam,  F.  F.  Myers,  James  Bice,  and 
Franklin  Hire;  those  teaching  were  George  Davis,  Miss  Foler,  Peyton  York,  R.  Kimble, 
J.  Argenbright,  Sarah  Null.  Martha  Welch,  Taylor  Murray,  Alice  Humphrey,  J.  S.  Hutch- 
ens,  Vespassion  Stookey,  James  Fulkerson.  Amelia  Templeton. 

Dnnt rift  X".  9. — In  1863  a  house  18x26  was  built  on  section  30.  There  are  forty-six 
scholars  in  the  district,  with  an  average  attendance  of  seventeen.  Since  its  organization 
the  following-named  men  have  served  as  directors :  Solomon  Kious,  Vandever  Banks, 
Philip  George,  B.  H.  Roberts,  Newton  Eakle.  John  Zimmerman,  and  Jacob  George; 
while  the  following-named  teachers  have  been  engaged:  Abner  Keithley.  Lucretia  McEl- 
roy,  Maggie  Kious.  Austin  Allison.  Advice-  Ades,  Charles  Davis.  J.  S.  Hutchins,  Libbie 
Harris  and  Nellie  Doran.  ' 

BLANDIKSVrLLE    TOWNSHIP. 

District  No.  1. — The  school  house  is  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  2,  and 
was  erected  in  1872  at  a  cost  of  $750 ;  it  is  18x28.  The  district  was  organized  in  1858. 
There  are  in  it  thirty-five  scholars,  with  twenty-five  attending  school.  The  following  are 
among  those  serving  as  directors  :  John  Huston,  James  Woodside,  S.  Guy,  Rigdon  Hus- 
ton, John  M.  Huston,  and  William  Blackhurst.  Among  those  teaching  were :  L.  S. 
Wright,  Maggie  Couch,  Allice  Phillips,  Maggie  Finley.  and  C.  Fegley. 

District  No.  2. — This  school  house  is  located  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  7,  and 
is  valued  at  $300.  The  directors  are  :  L.  C.  Carter  and  John  Langerstett. 

Mount  Pleasant. District  No.  3.. — School  building  located  on  section  18  ;  its  size  is  18. 
x24.  Among  the  directors  that  have  served  are :  Phillip  George,  H.  R.  Grigsby,  N.  D. 
Mustain,  tjohn  Herzog.  and  Alfred  Kaufman.  Teachers — Silas  Wright,  Maggie  Finley, 
Ollie  Alexander,  and  Amanda  George. 

Center,  District  No.  4. — The  school  house  is  situated  on  section  21,  and  was  erected  in 
1858  at  a  cost  of  $600  ;  it  is  18x24.  There  are  in  the  district  forty  scholars,  with  an  ave- 
rage attendance  of  twenty-five.  The  following  are  the  names  of  directors  serving  since 
its  organization  :  Nathan  Mustain,  Hiram  Williams,  J.  Cross,  Campbell  Taylor,  N. 
Grigsby,  Preston  Huston,  William  Isom.  Thomas  Melvin.  William  Campbell,  George  Mus- 
tain, and  John  Huston.  The  following  named  are  the  teachers  :  E.  Dice,  I.  Reed,  John 
Hungate.  William  Smith.  William  Berry.  Miss  Cartwright,  Levi  Wright.  Rebeca  Mayors, 
John  Argenbright,  and  Ida  Griffin. 

District  No.  5. — The  school  house  stands  on  section  36.  Its  value  is  placed  at  $500. 
The  directors  are  W.  B.  Kirkpatrick,  A.  Hickman,  and  P.  Boughman. 

District  No.  6. — This  district  includes  the  town  of  Blandinsville.  The  school  house 
is  valued  at  810.000.  The  directors  are  W.  R.  Clements,  William  D.  Mustain,  and  John 
W.  Fowler. 


434 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


District  No.  1. — The  building  in  this  district  is  located  in  Hire  township. 

District  No.  8. — School  building  is  on  section  23,  and  is  valued  $300.  J.  W.  Davis, 
John  Key,  and  S.  A.  Wells  are  directors. 

District  No.  9. — The  school  house  of  this  district  is  on  section  29.  Its  value  is  $300. 
The  directors  are  Nathan  Wright,  J.  V.  M.  Hardesty,  and  Harrison  Sappington. 

District  No  10. — The  schoal  property  of  this  dhti-ict  is  worth  $300.  The  directors 
are  William  Metcalf,  E.  E.  Harris,  and  S.  Gaumer. 

District  No.  11. — The  school  house  was  moved  to  its  present  site,  southeast  corner  of 
section  4,  in  1864,  and  is  18x24.  The  average  attendance  is  ten,  while  there  are  twenty 
scholars  in  the  district.  Isaac  Miller,  William  Hardesty,  William  L.  Woodside,  Thomas 
Mustain,  and  Thomas  Eoberts  have  served  this  district  in  the  capacity  of  directors.  The 
following  are  amoung  those  teaching :  Thomas  Goodmight,  Nancy  Fowler,  Julia  Ise- 
minger,  Levi  Wright,  Lizzie  Cook,  Sam  Hungate,  Silas  Wright,  and  Charles  Hardesty. 


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Name  of  Town- 

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•Chalmers  

937 

12 

593 

10 

$4,505  48 

$3,777  35 

$2,451  74 

$4,250 

£40 

20 

Bushnell  towns'  p.. 

242 

6 

160           6 

1.6H3  46 

1,560  63 

1,282  76 

3,200 

45 

25 

Emmet 

605 

8 

300 

8 

2,425  23 

2,030  25 

1,576  16 

2,900 

45 

25 

Bethel  

852 

9 

453 

6 

3.463  24 

2,944  36 

1,750  00 

3,100 

45 

20 

Walnut  Grove  

559 

9 

403           91     5,182  86 

4,500  19 

2,864  14 

3,950 

50 

25 

Macomb  township 
Eldorado  

673 
530 

9 
9 

357            9j     7,131  48 
223]          9|     1,098  88 

6,104  16 
790  52 

2,801  00 
586  83 

7,500 
6,300 

50 
60 

25 

22 

Scotland 

518 

9 

395 

9 

4,498  93 

3,654  61 

2,491  00 

5,000 

50 

25 

Sciota  -.  

807 

11 

311 

11 

6,168  56 

5,542  13 

3,456  12 

6,815 

60 

Lamoine.. 

627 

7 

358'           7 

3,510  41 

3,510  41 

1,887  74 

3,200 

55 

26 

Hire 

691 

10 

366          10 

4  409  84 

3  856  82 

2,588  44 

3,830 

50 

25 

New  Salem  

581 

9 

396 

9 

4,863  12 

3,574  82 

2,799  31 

3,200 

60 

25 

Industry 

819 

9 

467 

Q 

3  969  93 

3  262  19 

2,513  7C 

6,500 

75 

25 

Biandinsville  

741 

10 

576|         10 

7,287  62 

6,171  08 

3,209  00 

10,925 

60 

22 

Prairie  City  |         889 

4 

478  1          6 

6,291  19 

4,824  93 

3,420  56 

6,300 

100 

20 

Mound  

715 

10 

3121        10 

4,994  29 

4,520  99 

3,811  54 

6,900 

60 

20 

Bushnell  City 

1,168 

1 

517 

4 

7,100  00 

6,940  21 

4,226  25 

25,000 

111 

40 

Macomb  City  

1,896 

1 

347 

5 

10,279  76 

9,221  07 

8,050  00 

42,000 

135 

30 

Tennessee  

1,062 

9 

557 

9 

9,472  99      7,667  86 

3,800  13 

15,550 

60 

22 

Totals 

14,890 

152 

8,056 

159 

§98,237  07  '  §84,454  58 

$55,566  42 

8160,420 

HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  435 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES    CONTINUED. 
ELDER    JOHN    LOGAN. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county,  Va., 
February  14,  1793.  His  father,  Samuel  Logan,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  when  about  twenty  years 
of  age,  and  was  married  about  the  year  1789  to  Ann  Wylie.  A 
short  time  after  the  birth  of  John,  his  parents  removed  to  Garrett 
county,  Kentucky,  making  the  journey  with  two  pack  horses,  on 
which  all  their  worldly  goods  were  borne. 

Elder  Logau  was  a  self-made  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
On  account  of  the  extreme  poverty  of  his  parents,  he  only  ob- 
tained such  education  as  the  common  schools  of  that  early  day 
afforded,  but  he  had  a  thirst  for  knowledge,  and  read  with 
avidity  every  book  he  could  get,  thus  storing  his  mind  with  inform- 
ation that  was  of  service  to  him  in  after  years  in  the  .proclama- 
tion of  the  gospel. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  Xovember,  181t ,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Xancy  Xewell,  in  Simpson  county,  Ky.,  and  at  once  re- 
moved to  Sumner  county,  Term.,  where  he  lived  for  five  years.  It 
was  here,  under  the  preaching  of  Elder  Lee  Allen,  that  he  was 
converted  to  Christ,  and  where  he  and  his  estimable  wife  were 
buried  in  baptism  on  the  third  day  of  October,  1819,  and  on  the 
first  Sunday  in  Xovember  ot  the  same  year  they  united  with  the 
Xew  Hope  Baptist  Church,  in  Simpson  county,  Ky.  From  the 
time  of  his  conversion  he  began  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel. 

In  October,  1823,  he  removed  to  Dubois  county,  Indiana,  where 
he  remained  for  four  years.  When  he  first  settled  here  he  thought 
to  engage  no  more  in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  imagining 
his  labors  were  fruitless.  He  had  been  in  the  neighborhood  but 


436 

a  short  time  when  he  attended  a  religious  service  at  the  house  of 
a  neighbor,  when  the  following  dialogue  occurred:  "John,  did 
you  ever  preach  ?"  "I  don't  know."  Did  you  ever  try  ?"  He 
had  to  admit  that  he  had.  "Why,  don't  you  know  the 
Lord  will  kill  you  if  you  don't  do  His  work  ?  Xow,  we  must 
have  preaching,  and  you  must  do  it."  A  load  was  lifted  from  his 
rnind,  and  never  after  that  did  he  fail  to  preach  as  an  opportunity 
offered. 

He  was  regularly  ordained  by  Elders  Graham,  Charles  Harper, 
and  David  Hornaday,  and  in  the  spring  of  1828  moved  to  this 
county,  and  settled  near  the  present  town  of  Industry,  living  one 
season  in  the  old  block  house,  of  which  mention  is  made  else- 
where in  these  records.  The  block  house  at  this  time  was  the 
property  of  William  Carter,  who,  learning  Elder  Logan  was  com- 
ing to  the  neighborhood  to  live,  was  watching  for  him,  and  when 
he  made  his  appearance  with  his  old-fashioned  ox-team,  with  his 
family  and  entire  household  goods  packed  therein,  he  was  hailed 
by  Mr.  Carter,  who  asked  him  where  he  was  going  to  live.  He 
replied  that  he  had  arranged  with  a  family  in  the  neighborhood 
to  occupy  a  part  of  their  house.  Mr.  Carter  then  said  :  "Now, 
see  here,  Mr.  Logan,  I  have  lived  long  enough  in  this  world  to 
know  that  no  house  is  large  enough  for  two  women.  There  is 
that  old  block  house  over  there,  if  that  will  suit,  you  can  take  it 
and  use  it  as  long  as  you  like,  and  it  shan't  cost  you  a  cent."  The 
offer  was  thankfully  received,  and  the  place  was  soon  made  ready 
for  the  use  of  the  family.  Here  they  lived  until  fall,  when  they 
moved  into  a  more  comfortable  house,  where  they  remained  until 
the  following  year,  when  another  move  was  made  to  Schuyler 
county,  which  place  was  made  their  home  until  the  fall  of  1835, 
when  they  again  returned  to  McDonough,  this  time  settling  near 
the  present  town  of  Blandinsville,  and  where  they  lived  until  the 
day  of  Mr.  Logan's  death.  While  living  in  the  old  block  house  he 
preached  in  the  neighborhood,  and  organized  the  first  Sunday 
school  ever  held  in  the  county. 

As  a  preacher,  Elder  Logan  was  -energetic  and  earnest  in  the 
extreme — an  off-hand  speaker,  never  writing  his  sermons,  and  sel- 
dom using  notes.  His  whole  heart  was  in  his  Master's  work,  and 
he  labored  earnestly  and  zealously  in  the  field  in  which  he  was 
called  upon  to  occupy.  In  the  spring  of  1832  he  received  the 
appointment  of  missionary  from  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  437 

Boston,  Mass.  For  this  lie  was  excluded  from  the  Spoon  Elver 
Association  in  the  September  following.  Previous  to  this  he  was 
what  is  known  as  a  Regular  Baptist,  a  branch  of  the  Baptist  fam- 
ily opposed  to  missionary  societies  and  salaried  preachers,  but 
which,  we  believe,  up  to  this  time  had  never  made  the  same  a 
test  of  fellowship.  His  exclusion  from  the  Association  did  not 
cause  him  to  lose  interest  in  the  work,  but  rather  made  him  the 
more  zealous,  and  we  find  him  preaching  everywhere  in  the  region 
known  as  the  Military  Tract  the  unsearchable  riches  of  God,  and 
his  work  seems  to  have  been  specially  blessed  to  the  salvation  of 
many.  As  a  citizen  he  was  eminently  a  man  of  peace  ;  a  christ- 
ian  father  and  husband,  ever  teaching  his  children  that  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom.  While  living  in  Schuyler 
county  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  but  held  the  office  but 
a  short  time,  believing  it  incompatable  with  his  duties  as  a  minis- 
ter of  Christ. 

The  result  of  his  union  with  Xancy  Jewell  was  the  birth  of 
thirteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living. 
WILLIAM  F.  M'CANDLESS. 

The  subject  of  our  present  sketch  was  born  in  Alleghany 
county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  January,  1812. 
His  parents  were  Archibald  and  Elizabeth  (Fannigan)  McCand- 
less,  who,  when  their  son  was  born,  were  in  moderate  circum- 
stances, but  gave  him  as  he  grew  up  all  the  advantages  their 
means  would  allow.  The  first  years  of  his  life  were  spent  among 
the  grand  old  mountains  of  his  native  State,  breathing  the  pure 
air  of  the  country.  The  common  schools  of  the  early  part  of  the 
nineteenth  century  were  all  the  educational  advantages  he  was 
permitted  to  enjoy.  The  same  general  traits  of  character  that 
have  since  developed  in  the  man  were  observable  in  the  boy.  He 
was  very  conscientious,  never  indulging  in  profanity,  but  of  a 
mischievous  turn  of  mind,  enjoying  the  ridiculous  side  of  life 
and  making  his  share  of  fun  for  the  neighborhood.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
which  business  he  followed  tor  twenty-five  years,  changing  it 
when  it  seemed  best  for  his  pecuniary  interests,  having  for  some 
years  engaged  in  farming ;  and  the  past  few  years  being  engaged 
in  the  sale  of  lumber,  flour,  etc.,  in  the  town  of  Bardolph,  where 
he  now  resides. 

H— 28 


438  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

On  the  twelfth  day  of  September,  1838,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  M.  C.  Scroggs,  in  Alleghany  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  by  whom  he  has  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living, 
three  having  gone  before  to  that  beautiful  land,  where  they  await 
the  coming  of  the  other  loved  ones.  The  fond  wife  and  mother, 
too,  has  passed  "over  the  river,"  and  bye-and-by  she  will  be 
joined  by  the  others,  and  in  the  city  of  our  God  they  will  meet 
never  more  to  part.  Mrs.  McCandless  breathed  her  last  upon  the 
fourteenth  day  of  March,  1876,  in  the  full  assurance  of  the  blessed 
hope  of  immortality  beyond  the  grave. 

When  a  young  man  Mr.  McCandless  moved  from  the  country 
to  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  thence,  in  due 
time,  to  Ohio  Town,  in  Ohio;  from  which  place  he  came  west  to 
McDonough  county,  in  the  spring  of  1838,  where  he  has  since 
•continued  to  reside,  and  where  he  has  drawn  around  him  a  host 
of  friends  and  acquaintances,  who  honor  and  respect  the  man.  A 
short  time  after  his  arrival  in  Macomb,  this  county,  he  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  Town  Constable,  serving  the  people  in  that  capac- 
ity for  four  years,  doing  at  that  time  a  great  deal  of  business, 
principally  in  the  way  of  collecting,  and  it  is  said  of  him  he  made 
a  No.  1  collector.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  town  of  Macomb  for  one  or  two  years. 

When  he  came  to  this  county  the  whole  eastern  part  was  unset- 
tled, save  here  and  there,  hugging  the  timber,  were  a  few  scat- 
tered settlements.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  northeast  of 
Macomb,  erecting  on  it  a  cabin,  moved  his  family  thereto,  and 
began  its  improvement.  One  winter  day  he  took  his  wife  and 
child  with  him  in  a  sleigh,  and  drove  to  Macomb  to  attend  to 
some  business,  which  attended  to,  a  little  while  before  night  he 
started  home.  When  just  outside  the  town  a  large  black  wolf 
sprang  in  his  path.  With  whip  in  hand  he  endeavored  to  keep  it 
off,  while  urging  his  horses  onward.  It  appeared  to  be  the  design 
of  the  wolf  to  seize  the  child,  and,  while  the  father  would  attend 
to  the  team  and  receive  the  attacks  of  the  animal,  the  mother 
would  attempt  to  shield  it  from  its  clutch.  The  enraged  and 
hungry  animal  continued  the  attack  for  some  miles,  until  the 
house  of  a  Mr.  Booth  was  reached,  where  Mr.  McCandless  drove 
in  and  remained  during  the  night.  We  have  heard  him  say  that 
many  times  has  he  driven  across  the  prairie  when  the  hungry 
wolves  were  howling  all  around  him,  and  when  he  supposed  he 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  439 

was  in  considerable  clanger  from  their  attack,  but  it  is  probable 
there  is  no  incident  more  indelibly  impressed  upon  his  mind  than 
the  one  narrated  above. 

When  a  young  man,  Mr.  MeCandless  united  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  ever 
since  retained  connection  with  that  branch  of  the  Christian 
church,  a  great  portion  of  the  time  occupying  the  office  of  deacon. 
He  is  a  firm  and  consistent  believer  in  the  doctrines  held  by  that 
body,  and  has  ever  lived  up  to  his  profession.  For  many  years 
he  was  connected  with  the  church  at  Macomb,  but  now  holds 
membership  with  the  church  at  Bardolph,  his  present  residence. 
Mr.  McCandless  is  a  man  rather  below  the  medium  height,  well 
and  strongly  built,  having  a  good  constitution,  and  when  young 
must  have  beeji  quite  active.  He  wears  no  beard,  his  face  always 
being  smoothly  shaven,  and  now,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  he  is 
yet  hale  and  hearty,  and  wears  his  age  as  lightly  as  one  twenty 
}  ears  younger.  Although  not  wealthy,  he  is  in  good,  comforta- 
ble circumstances,  the  fruit  of  a  life  of  toil  and  rigid  economy. 

CAPTAIN  j.  c.  M'CLELLAX. 

James  C.  McClellan  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, April  1,  1829.  His  parents  were  James  and  Abigal 
(Cromwell)  McClellan,  natives  of  the  same  State.  They  were 
poor  in  the  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  faith,  and*  in  their  inter- 
course with  the  world  ever  endeavored  to  observe  the  golden  rule. 
The  father  was  by  trade  a  carpenter,  and  when  James  was  but 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  took  him  in  the  shop  that  he  might  learn 
the  same  trade.  The  common  school,  that  institution  from  which 
so  many  eminent  men  of  the  land  have  graduated,  was  the  only 
place  where  a  knowledge  of  letters  was  imparted  to  him, 
and  the  place  where  all  knowledge  of  books  was  received,  save 
what  he  has  since  learned  by  self-application.  For  nineteen  years 
he  followed  his  chosen  trade,  acquiring  considerable  skill  in  the 
work. 

At  an  early  period  in  his  life  his  parents  moved  to  Preston 
county,  Virginia,  where  they  remained  until  their  removal  to  Illi- 
nois in  1854.  James  accompanied  them  to  West  Virginia,  but 
tarried  there  after  their  removal  to  this  State,  having  in  the  mean- 
time been  bound  by  ties  stronger  than  that  of  blood — that  of 
marriage  with  Miss  Venia  J.  Harned.  The  result  of  this  union 
was  one  son,  P.  H.  McClellan,  who  has  now  arrived  at  man's  es- 


440  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

tate,  and  was  lately  himself  married  with  Miss  Hattie  Burt,  of 
Quincy.  The  young  couple  now  reside  at  Mt.  Sterling,  Illinois, 
where  the  husband  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade. 

While  a  citizen  of  West  Virginia,  Mr.  McClellan  concluded 
he  would  subscribe  for  and  read  the  New  York  Tribune,  that  he 
might  know  what  was  transpiring  in  the  outer  world.  This  was 
in  ante-war  times.  Uncle  Sam's  officials  permitted  him  to  re- 
ceive one  copy  of  the  paper,  after  which  they  confiscated  each 
number  as  it  appeared  and  fed  it  to  the  flames. 

In  the  fall  of  1857  Mr.  McClellan  came  to  Illinois,  and  during 
the  winter  of  1857-58  was  in  the  employ  of  Wm.  L.  Imes  &  Co., 
Macomb,  in  manufacturing  agricultural  implements.  In  the 
spring  of  1858  he  went  to  Missouri,  remaining  there  one  year, 
when  he  returned  to  McDonough  county,  settling  in  the  village  of 
Industry,  where  he  labored  at  his  trade  until  the  summer  of  1862, 
when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  I,  78th  Regiment,  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  with  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  at  Camp  Wood,  near  Quincy,  on  the  first 
day  of  September  of  that  year.  With  this  regiment  he  continued 
for  some  fifteen  months,  participating  in  very  active  service.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  and  many 
minor  skirmishes  and  battles — the  78th  always  being  in  the  front. 
In  December,  1863,  he  was  discharged  for  promotion,  receiving  the 
commission  of  First  Lieutenant  Co.  H,  17th  Regiment  United 
States  colored  troops.  Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Nashville,  the 
most  important  battle  in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  which  position  he  retained 
during  the  war,  and  as  such  was  honorably  discharged  in  August, 
1865,  a  few  months  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

On  his  return  home  Captain  McClellan  embarked  in  the  drug 
business  in  Industry,  continuing  in  it  about  five  years,  in  which 
time  he  built  up  an  excellent  trade,  and  laying  by  a  little  money 
for  "a  rainy  day.  After  closing  out  his  drug  trade,  he  removed 
to  his  farm,  in  Industry  township,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
from  which  place  he  removed  to  Macomb  in  the  fall  of  1871. 
Shortly  after  coming  to  Macomb  he  engaged  as  salesman  in  the 
dry  goods  house  of  Luther  Johnson,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
when  he  purchased  of  Messrs.  Knapp  &  Hamilton  the  bookstore 
on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  in  which  line  of  trade  he 
continued  for  about  two  years,  when  having  a  favorable  oppor- 


HISTORY   OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY.  441 

tunity  to  dispose  of  the  stock,  he  sold  the  same  and  immediately 
purchased  the  well  known  clothing  store  of  S.  P.  Dewey,  in  which 
line  of  trade  he  still  continues,  having  an  excellent  and  prosper- 
ous business. 

In  1852  Captain  McClellan  made  a  profession  of  religion,  unit- 
ing with  the  M.  E.  Church,  with  which  body  he  yet  remains  con- 
nected. 

On  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  1854,  he  gave 
adhesion  to  its  principles  as  enunciated  in  its  national  platform, 
but  living  in  a  slave  state,  he  dared  not  express  his  sentiments  as 
publicly  as  he  desired,  though  his  sentiments  were  well  known. 
In  the  first  presidential  campaign  of  that  party,  though  he  was 
not  permitted  to  vote  for  the  candidate  of  his  choice,  he  did  the 
next  best  thing,  and  voted  for  Millard  Filmore  for  president.  As 
soon  as  he  arrived  in  the  free  State  of  Illinois  the  seal  was  re- 
moved from  his  lips,  and  he  could  enjoy  the  right  of  free  speech 
and  vote  his  sentiments  without  fear  of  molestation.  From  that 
time  to  the  present  hour  he  'has  been  a  consistent  Republican,  the 
men  and  measures  of  that  party  receiving  his  cordial  and  active 
support. 

Captain  McClellan  is  above  medium  height,  well  and  strongly 
built,  has  a  good  head,  wears  full  beard,  and  as  a  citizen  enjoys 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  men.  As  a  business  man 
he  has  been  eminently  successful  in  every  enterprise  in  which  he 
has  engaged.  He  is  quite  cautious  in  his  business  ventures,  and 
calculates  with  certainty  the  result  of  every  step.  In  the  family 
he  is  kind  and  indulgent,  and  as  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  is  uni- 
versally esteemed. 

HON.    ALEXANDER   M?LEAX. 

Alexander  McLean,  eldest  sou  of  Hector  and  Catherine  (Mc- 
Millan) McLean,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  on 
the  twenty-fourth  day  of  September,  1834.  As  soon  as  he  ar- 
rived at  a  suitable  age  he  was  sent  to  a  private  school  in  his  na- 
tive city,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age. 

On  the  fifth  day  of  June,  1849,  with  his  parents,  he  bade  fare- 
well to  his  native  land,  and  in  one  of  the  slow  sailing  vessels  of 
that  day,  took  passage  for  the  United  States,  with  the  intention 
of  making  that  free  country  his  home  in  the  future.  After  a 
tedious  voyage  of  forty-two  days  the  family  arrived  in  New  York 
on  the  sevententh  day  of  July  following.  Here  they  embarked 


442  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

in  a  steamer  on  the  Hudson  river,  their  final  destination  being 
McDonough  county,  Illinois.  Leaving  the  steamer  at  Albany 
they  proceeded  by  canal  to  Buffalo,  where  in  one  of  the  celebrated 
lake  steamers  they  passed  on  to  Chicago,  thence  by  canal  to  La- 
Salle,  from  which  place  they  continued  their  journey  by  the  Illi- 
nois river  to  Sharpe's  Landing,  where  a  conveyance  was  secured 
which  carried  them  to  McDonough  county,  where  they  arrived 
in  the  vicinity  of  Camp  Creek,  about  eight  miles  south  of  Ma- 
comb,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  August,  making  a  comparatively 
speedy  journey  for  that  day. 

-  At  this  time  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  was  about  fifteen 
years  of  age.  "With  his  parents  he  remained  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Camp  Creek,  where  they  had  friends  residing,  until  the  follow- 
ing spring,  when  the  family  removed  to  the  town  of  Macomb. 
Here  he  worked  with  his  father  for  several  years  at  the  trade  of 
stone-mason.  Notwithstanding  he  belonged  to  the  class  of  ugreasy 
mechanics,"  and  procured  his  living  by  the  "sweat  of  his  face," 
he  was  admitted  to  the  society  of  the  best  families  in  the  place, 
and  soon  became  a  favorite  with  all.  Having  an  excellent  mem- 
ory, with  a  pretty  thorough  knowledge  of  the  literature  of  the 
day,  and  possessed  of  good  conversational  powers,  he  made  many 
friends  and  secured  the  attention  of  those  who  were  enabled  to 
advance  his  interest  in  many  wa}7s,  as  is  evinced  from  the  fact  that 
before  he  attained  his  majority  he  was  selected  by  Hon.  William 
H.  Randolph,  then  Circuit  Clerk  of  the  county,  as  deputy,  which 
position  he  accepted  and  during  the  remainder  of  the  term  served 
in  that  capacity,  giving  the  utmost  satisfaction,  not  only  to  Mr. 
Randolph  but  to  the  members  of  the  bar  and  citizens  generally. 
In  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  deputy  circuit  clerk,  on  account 
of  his  efficiency  and  strict  attention  to  the  work  of  the  office,  Mr. 
Randolph  became  attached  to  him  and  there  sprang  up  a  friend- 
ship between  them  that  was  lifelong  in  its  duration,  and  on  the 
advice  and  consent  of  no  one  did  Mr.  R,  more  firmly  rely  than  on 
young  Alex.  McLean. 

When  the  term  of  office  of  Mr.  Randolph  expired,  on  his  sug- 
gestion Mr.  McLean,  with  others,  opened  an  office  for  the  purchase 
and  sale  of  real  estate,  under  the  firm  name  of  McLean,  Randolph 
&  Co.  This  firm,  for  several  years,  did  quite  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  that  line,  but  in  1858,  Mr.  McLean  withdrew  from  it. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  443 

On  the  thirty-first  day  of  December,  1858,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Martha  J.  Randolph,  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  Ran- 
dolph, one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county.  As  a  result  of  this 
union  eight  children  were  born  unto  them,  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter,  six  of  whom  are  now  living,  two  having  gone  to  the 
"better  land." 

In  February  1864,  Mr.  McLean  left  Macomb,  for  Xew  York 
city,  having  received  the  appointment  of  clerk  of  a  large  real  es- 
tate dealer,  who  was  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  western 
land.  For  the  seven  years  following  he  was  a  citizen  of  that  city 
and  Brooklyn.  The  firm  with  which  he  was  connected  enjoyed 
a  very  extensive  and  lucrative  trade,  and  the  knowledge  acquired 
by  personal  dealing  enabled  Mr.  McLean  to  be  of  great  assistance 
in  the  selection  of  lands. 

While  a  citizen  of  Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  together  with  his  wife,  he 
united  with  the  Clinton  Avenue  Baptist  church,  in  the  month  of 
December,  1867.  Shortly  after  uniting  with  the  church,  he  was 
elected  Superintendent  of  its  Sunday  School,  and  for  two  years 
officiated  in  that  capacity.  After  returning  to  Macomb,  in  1871, 
he  was  chosen  to  fill  the  same  position  in  the  Baptist  Sunday 
School  of  that  city,  retaining  that  position  for  two  years.  In  this 
particular  field  of  labor  he  has  been  an  earnest  worker,  devoting 
to  it  much  time  and  thought.  In  the  County  Sunday  School  As- 
sociation, he  has  been  one  among  its  most  zealous  members,  doing 
much  to  promote  its  interests.  For  some  years  he  has  been  chosen 
by  that  body  as  editor  of  the  Sunday  School  column  of  the  Ma- 
comb Journal,  which  position  he  has  satisfactorily  filled. 

Mr.  McLean,  on  several  occasions,  has  been  chosen  by  the  peo- 
ple to  fill  some  public  office,  each  time  discharging  its  duties  in  a 
satisfactory  manner.  The  first  public  office  which  he  was  called 
upon  to  fill,  as  has  already  been  remarked,  was  that  of  Deputy 
Circuit  Clerk  under  AVilliam  H.  Randolph.  The  next  was  that  of 
Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  town  of  Macomb.  The 
first  office  to  which  he  was  elected  was  that  of  Alderman,  in  1863, 
when  he  carried  his  ward  against  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the 
opposite  and  ruling  party — the  Democratic.  On  this  occasion 
many  Democrats  voted  for  him  on  personal  grounds,  notwithstand- 
ing he  was  regarded  as  a  very  radical  Republican."  That  he  was 
qualified  for  the  position,  and  would  discharge  its  duties  faithfully, 
was  doubted  by  no  one.  In  1873  he  was  nominated  by  the  Re- 


444 

publicans  of  the  city  of  Macomb  to  the  office  of  Mayor,  to  which 
position  he  was  duly  elected  by  a  good  majority.  In  1874,  1875 
and  1876,  he  was  re-elected  each  year  by  an  increased  majority  over 
the  one  preceding  it.  As  an  officer  he  brings  to  the  discharge  of 
his  duties 'a  will  and  determination  to  do  all  things  well.  In  the 
four  years  that  he  has  held  the  office  of  Mayor,  more  public  im- 
provements have  been  made  than  in  the  same  period  during  the 
existence  of  the  city ;  more  sidewalks  have  been  built  and  kept  in 
repair;  more  miles  of  road  faithfully  worked;  a  handsome  and 
costly  school  house  erected  and  paid  for ;  gas  introduced,  and 
many  other  things  accomplished,  while  at  the  same  time  taxes 
have  never  been  materially  increased.  This  in  a  measure  is  the 
result  of  personal  attention  given  the  office,  more  time  having 
been  given  by  him  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office  than 
by  any  one  by  whom  previously  filled. 

As  a  politician,  Mr.  McLean  is  a  thorough  and  consistent 
Republican,  believing  firmly  in  the  principles  advocated  by  that 
party,  never  yielding  what  he  considers  to  be  right  at  any  time 
for  present  success.  During  the  presidential  campaign  of  1876  he 
was  the  candidate  for  elector  for  the  Tenth  District,  of  which 
McDonough  county  forms  a  part.  As  a  worker  in  a  campaign  he 
is  indefatigable,  and  if  success  is  possible  he  will  help  largely  to 
secure  it.  The  State  having  been  carried  by  the  Republicans,  he 
was,  of  course,  chosen  an  elector,  and  in  the  meeting  of  the  elect- 
oral college  at  Springfield,  he  was  chosen  by  his  colleagues  as 
messenger  to  carry  the  returns  to  the  city  of  Washington  and 
place  them  in  the  hands  of  the  Vice  President  of  the  United 
States,  in  whose  custody  they  are  kept  until  they  shall  be  opened 
according  to  law. 

Mr.  McLean  has  made  one  trip  to  Europe~since  his  settlement 
in  this  country,  traveling  over  a  large  portion  of  the  continent 
and  visiting  the  scenes  of  his  childhood.  He  returned  more 
reconciled  than  ever  to  the  home  of  his  adoption.  Every  part  of 
this  grand  union  he  loves,  and  its  free  institutions  he  cherishes. 

The  cause  of  education  finds  in  Mr.  McLean  a  most  earnest 
supporter,  and  whether  it  be  for  the  common  school  or  for  the 
higher  and  collegiate  institutions  of  the  land,  he  is  at  all  times 
willing  to  sacrifice  time  and  money  for  the  good  of  either. 
Recognizing  this  fact,  Governor  Cullom  lately  appointed  him  one 
of  the  Trustees  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  University,  a  position 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  445 

which  he  is  eminently  qualified  to  fill,  and  we  hesitate  not  in  assert- 
ing that  no  member  of  the  board  will  attend  more  faithfully  to 
the  duties  of  the  office. 

In  religious,  as  in  educational  matters,  he  takes  great  interest 
and  in  every  part  of  the  work  in  which  a  lay  member  is  called 
upon  to  labor,  he  is  ready  to  perform.  He  is  now  moderator  for 
the  third  time,  of  the  Salem  Baptist  Association,  of  which  the 
Baptist  Church  in  Macomb  forms  a  part. 

Mr.  McLean  is  about  five  feet  nine  inches  high,  of  good  pro- 
portions, well  developed  muscles,  light  hair,  blue  eyes,  a  good  head 
and  a  benevolent  looking  face,  which  is  always  smoothly  shaved. 
As  a  citizen,  he  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  ot  all  who  know 
him.  Xo  enterprise  for  the  public  good  but  what  receives  his 
earnest  and  undivided  support.  Time  and  money  with  him  is  no 
object,  provided  good  can  be  accomplished.  As  a  friend  and 
neighbor  he  is  kind  and  generous,  never  turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the 
unfortunate  ;  as  a  husband  and  father  he  is  affectionate  and  in- 
dulgent. 

WILLIAM   c.  M'LEOD. 

Perhaps  no  citizen  of  the  county,  having  resided  here  no  longer 
than  Mr.  McLeod,  is  better  known.  He  is  not  a  pioneer  by  any 
means,  but  has,  since  becoming  a  resident  of  the  county,  occupied 
many  positions  of  trust,  positions  which  he  has  filled  in  so 
satisfactory  a  manner  that  his  name  has  become  a  household  word. 

William  C.  McLeod  was  born  near  Xew  Town,  Frederick 
county,  Virginia,  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  March,  1825.  His 
parents  were  John  B.  and  Ann  S.  (Carson)  McLeod,  both  natives 
of  the  same  county  in  which  their  son  wras  born.  The  elder 
McLeod  was  a  practicing  physician,  who  for  thirty  years  followed 
his  profession  in  Xew  Town,  and  was  well  and  favorably  known  in 
all  the  region  round  about.  He  was  a  man  of  good  mind,  public 
spirited,  and  served  his  county  in  the  State  Legislature  for  two 
years.  In  company  with  his  wife,  Dr.  McLeod  came  on  a  visit  to 
his  son  in  this  county  in  1865,  and  while  here  was  called  to  his 
long  home,  departing  this  life  on  the  fifth  day  of  May,  in  the 
sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  The  widowed  mother  returned  to 
her  Virginia  home,  where  she  lived  until  the  twenty-seventh  day 
of  May,  1874,  when  she  was  called  to  join  her  departed  husband 
in  the  better  land,  aged  seventy-five  years. 


446  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Dr.  McLeod  lived  upon  a  farm  adjoining  the  village  of  Xew 
Town,  and  here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his  early  life. 
Until  eighteen  years  of  age  he  passed  his  time  in  working  upon 
the  farm  and  in  attending  the  select  school  of  the  village,  where 
he  made  rapid  progress  in  securing  an  education.  When  he 
reached  the  above  mentioned  age  he  engaged  with  a  h'rm  in  New 
Town  to  learn  the  trade  of  carpenter,  choosing  this  rather  than 
the  profession  that  his  parents  desired  him  to  study.  At  this 
trade  he  labored  for  eleven  years,  becoming  quite  proficient  in  all 
its  branches. 

In  1850  Mr.  McLeod  left  his  native  State,  and  for  several  years 
resided  in  Palmyra,  Misbouri.  Here  he  continued  to  follow  his 
trade,  and  for  a  time,  in  company  with  a  Mr.  Phelps,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Phelps  &  McLeod,  carried  on  the  business  of  lum- 
ber dealers  in  addition  to  contracting  and  building.  Many  of  the 
public  and  private  buildings  of  Palmyra  were  erected  under  his 
supervision. 

In  1858  Mr.  McLeod  received  the  appointment  from  the  Gov- 
ernor to  superintend  the  enlargement  of  the  State  Penitentiary  at 
Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  and  while  attending  to  the  work  he 
received  word  of  the  sudden  and  dangerous  illness  of  his  wife, 
who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  relatives  in  this  county.  Leaving  the 
work  in  charge  of  another,  he  hastened  to  the  bedside  of  his 
wife,  expecting  to  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  finish  his  contract, 
but  circumstances  conspired  to  prevent  this,  and  compelling  him  to 
resign  the  position.  Some  years  previous  to  this  he  had  visited  this 
county,  and  was  impressed  with  the  fertility  of  its  soil  and  the 
natural  advantages  which  it  enjoyed.  He  now  determined  on 
locating  here  and  making  this  his  future  home.  That  decision  he 
has  never  since  regretted.  He  came  to  McDonough  county  in 
October,  1858,  and  settled  upon  section  fourteen,  Emrnet  town- 
ship, where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside. 

Mr.  McLeod  has  been  twice  married :  first  to  Miss  Mary  "W. 
Miller,  daughter  of  Robert  F.  Miller,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  old 
McDonough  county;  second  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Simpson,  of  War- 
ren county,  Ya.  Eight  children  was  the  result  of  the  first  union, 
five  girls  and  three  boys,  four  of  whom  yet  live,  the  rest,  with 
the  mother,  having  crossed  over  the  river.  Mrs.  McLeod  died  in 
May,  1865.  The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  McLeod  occurred 
October  5,  1868.  They  have  had  two  children,  one  living. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  447 

While  a  citizen  of  Palmyra,  Mr.  McLeod  held  the  offices  of 
Constable  and  City  Marshal  some  years.  Since  coming  to  Mc- 
Donough county  he  has  held  the  offices  of  Town.  Clerk,  Collector 
and  Treasurer,  and  for  fourteen  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  a  great  part  of  the  time  Chairman  of  the 
Board.  In  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties  he  brings  to  bear 
upon  his  lazors  a  zeal  which,  united  with  a  determined  will,  ena- 
bles him  to  accomplish  a  great  amount  of  work.  Xo  man  that 
has  ever  lived  in  the  county  has  taken  more  interest  in  its  affairs, 
or  has  devoted  more  time  to  its  improvement.  All  public  im- 
provements have  found  him  their  earnest  advocate,  and  McDon- 
ough  county  owes  him  a  vote  of  thanks  for  what  he  has  done. 
As  Chairman  of  the  Board  he  has  rendered  the  best  satisfaction, 
not  only  to  his  political  friends,  but  to  his  political  foes.  He  has 
always  exercised  the  utmost  impartiality  in  his  rulings  and  in  his 
conduct  toward  members.  By  the  Board  of  Supervisors  he  was 
appointed  to  superintend  the  erection  of  the  new  jail  building  for 
the  county,  a  work  which  he  discharged  to  the  satisfaction 
not  only  of  that  body,  but  the  people  at  large. 

In  politics  Mr.  McLeod  has  always  been  a  consistent  Democrat, 
the  principles  of  that  party  being  dear  to  his  heart.  As  a  Demo- 
crat he  has  always  been  elected  to  office,  and  no  man  labors  more 
zealously  for  the  success  of  the  general  and  local  tickets  of  the 
party. 

In  height  Mr.  McLeod  is  about  five  feet  eleven  inches,  of  good, 
proportions,  and  will  weigh  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
pounds.  His  general  health  has  been  good,  and  he  is  seemingly 
now  in  the  prime  of  life.  As  a  husband  and  father  he  is  kind 
and  indulgent,  and  visitors  to  his  residence  are  welcomed  with 
true  old  Virginia  hospitality.  As  a  neighbor  and  citizen  he  en- 
joys the  confidence  and  respect  of  every  One.  Such  is  William  C. 
McLeod,  of  Emmet  township,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors of  McDonough  county. 

JOHX    MUSTAIX. 

One  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  county  is  that  of  the  Mustaius 
—living  in  the  northern  part.  Although  none  have  never  occu- 
pied high  official  positions,  they  still  have  traits  of  character 
which  distinguish  them  from  others,  and  are  as  highly  respected 
as  any  living  in  the  county.  John  Mustaiu,  with  his  family,  came 
to  McDonough  in  the  fall  of  1832,  having  left  his  native  State  the 


448  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

latter  part  of  August,  previous.  He  was  born  in  Pittsylvania 
county,  Virginia,  in  September,  1782,  and  was  left  an  orphan  at  a 
very  early  age — his  mother  dying  when  he  was  only  about  two 
weeks  old,  and  his  father  when  he  was  but  four  years  old — the 
latter  being  killed  by  being  thrown  from  a  horse.  While  yet 
very  young,  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  hatter, 
which  occupation  he  followed  for  four  years,  when,  not  being  sat- 
isfied with  it,  and  preferring  that  of  the  carpenter,  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  that  trade,  which  he  learned  and  followed  for  some  thirty 
years,  but  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  he  was  engaged 
in  farming.  In  this  latter  branch  of  business  his  success  was 
greater  than  in  that  of  any  other,  and  the  accumulations  of  after 
years  were  the  result  of  his  efforts  in  this  direction.  As  previ- 
ously remarked,  he  arrived  in  McDouough  county  in  the  fall  of 
1832,  and  proceeded  to  the  neighborhood  of  Job's  settlement,  so 
often  mentioned  in  this  work.  Here  he  purchased  some  four 
hundred  acres  of  school  land,  (the  sixteenth  section)  for  which  he 
paid  $1.25  per  acre.  After  purchasing  his  land  he  had  some 
three  or  four  hundred  dollars  left  in  foreign  gold  which  he  re- 
ceived from  a  bank  in  Lynchburg,  Virginia,  before  leaving,  the 
value  of  which  he  knew  nothing  save  what  was  told  him  by  the 
bank  officer.  Here  he  found  no  one  that  knew  the  value  of  a 
single  piece  of  the  coin,  and  all  were  afraid  to  receive  it  at  any 
price.  He  was  now  in  a  perfect  dilemma,  being  a  stranger  in  a 
strange  place,  without  credit  or  funds  of  any  kind  save  that  men- 
tioned. Having  heard  of  Hon.  James  M.  Campbell,  of  Macomb, 
he  proceeded  to  that  place  to  consult  him  in  the  matter.  He  had 
never  seen  Mr.  Campbell,  and,  riding  into  town  he  met  a  gentle- 
man, when  the  following  dialogue  ensued : 

"Can  you  inform  me  where  I  can  find  the  Circuit  Clerk  of  this 
county  ?" 

"If  you  desire  to  see  the  Circuit  Clerk,"  replied  the  other,  "you 
are  looking  square  at  him." 

"I  beg  your  pardon ;  it  is  probably  the  County  Clerk  I  wish  to 
see." 

"I  am  the  County  Clerk,  also." 

"Well,  can  you  tell  me  who  is  Postmaster?" 

"I  am  Postmaster." 

"Is  your  name  Campbell?" 

"Yes,  sir;  that  is  my  name." 


HISTORY  OF  M'PONOUGH  COUNTY.  449 

"Well,  then,"  responded  Mr.  Mustaiu,  who  could  hardly  be 
convinced  of  the  identity  of  Mr.  C.,  "you  are  the  man  I  want  to 

He  then  proceeded  to  explain  to  him  the  condition  in  which  he 
found  himself  with  respect  to  the  gold,  and  asked  Mr.  Campbell 
to  take  it  and  have  it  changed  for  him  into  currency  which  he  might 
use.  An  arrangement  was  effected  by  which  Mr.  C.  was  to  take 
the  gold  and  let  Mr.  Mustain  have  such  goods  as  he  waited  out 
of  his  store,  and  also  from  time  to  time  a  little  money  for  his 
necessities,  this  arrangement  to  continue  until  Mr.  Campbell 
should  go  to  St.  Louis  to  purchase  goods,  when  he  was  to  take 
the  gold  with  him  and  have  it  exchanged.  This  business  transac- 
tion was  the  commencement  of  a  close  friendship  that  lasted 
until  the  close  of  the  life  of  Mr.  M.,  without  a  break  or  jar  of 
any  kind,  and  we  have  heard  Mr.  Campbell  remark  that  no  man 
did  he  ever  esteem  more  highly  than  John  Mustain,  and  from  no 
one  would  he  be  more  sure  of  receiving  a  favor,  or  to  none  would 
he  more  quickly  render  one. 

On  the  third  day  of  June,  1812,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Glenn,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  seven  boys  and  three 
girls,  as  follows  :  "William  D.,  who  now  lives  on  a  farm  just  west 
of  Blandinsville,  was  born  June  21,  1813.  Daniel  C.,  was  born 
January  9,  1815,  died  October  26,  1870.  Thomas  A.,  living  four 
miles  north  of  Blandinsville,  was  born  January  13, 1817.  Xathan 
G.,  born  March  23,  1819,  died  November  26,  1876.  Jane  M.  L., 
born  January  12,  1821,  and  died  the  twenty-fifth  of  July,  1845. 
John  T.,  born  Xovember  15,  1824,  living  on  section  21  township. 
Elizabeth  A.,  born  January  14,  1827,  the  widow  of  Archibald 
Owen,  late  of  Hancock  county.  James  A.,  born  September  24, 
1829,  living  in  Sciota  township.  George  "W.,  born  March  2, 1832. 
Gilly  G.,  born  September  23,  1824.  The  living  members  of  the 
family  all  fill  honorable  positions  in  society.  Shortly  after  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mustain  wisely  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  advantages  enjoyed  in  their  native  State  was  not  such  as 
they  desired,  and  therefore  determined  to  seek  a  home  and  fortune 
in  a  better  country,  or  where  the  advantages  would  be  much 
greater,  especially  in  raising  a  family.  This  determination  ac- 
corded with  sense  and  duty,  for  nowhere  could^i  family  be  reared 
where  the  opportunity  for  amassing  wealth,  or  gaining  destinction 
or  has  been  greater  than  in  McDonough  county.  Coming 


450  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

here  when  all  was  a  Meak  wildness  they  lived  to  see  it  "blossom  aa 
a  rose."  John  Mustain  was  a  large  portly  man,  of  good  appear- 
ance, pleasant  and  agreeable  in  his  intercourse  with  friends  and 
neighbors ;  in  the  family  circle,  while  kind  to  his  children,  he  was 
strict  in  discipline  and  taught  each  member  to  know  that  his  yes 
meant  yes,  and  his  no  meant  no,from  which  there  could  be  no  appeal. 
In  business  with  the  world  his  word  could  always  be  relied  upon 
his  promises  always  being  held  sacred,  and  invariably  carried  out 
to  the  letter.  He  was  a  good  friend  and  neighbor,  living  at  peace 
with  all  men  and  a  hard  working  farmer.  In  politics  he  was  a 
strong  Democrat  as  are  all  his  sons.  His  education  was  limited, 
but  having  strong  common  sense,  strong  will  and  with  a  deter- 
mination to  do,  the  lack  of  a  finished  education  was  not  such  a 
drawback  with  him.  He  departed  this  life  on  the  first  day  of 
March  1869,  in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age.  His  loved 
companion  died  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  ot  October,  1863. 

WILLIAM    D.    MUSTAIX. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  w^as  born  in  Pittsylvania  county, 
Virginia,  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  June,  1813,  and  is  the  eldest 
of  a  family  of  ten  children.  His  parents  were  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Glenn)  Mustain,  pioneers  of  McDonough  county,  removing 
here  with  their  family,  including  William,  in  1832.  As  frequently 
remarked  in  these  pages,  children  of  pioneers  had  few  opportuni- 
ties in  securing  an  education,  the  common  schools,  in  which  were 
taught  only  the  rudiments,  being  the  entire  school  facilities  of 
the  country.  In  these  common  schools  young  William  obtained 
such  knowledge  of  the  arts  and  sciences  as  were  taught  therein. 
His  entire  life,  we  believe,  has  been  spent  on  a  farm,  the  tilling  cf 
the  soil  being  his  principal  occupation,  occasionally  varied  iu 
laboring  at  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  gunsmith,  etc.  In  these 
trades  he  never  served  a  regular  apprenticeship,  but  followed 
them  as  his  inclinations  and  necessities  required.  In  the  early 
days  master  workmen  were  not  as  plentiful  as  in  this  day,  and  one 
having  skill  to  perform  any  work  would  soon  find  his  services  in 
demand. 

Although  never  attaining  any  special  prominence  in  the  public 
affairs  of  the  county.  Mr.  Mustain  has  yet  been  called  on  from 
time  to  time  to  accept  local  office.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Overseer  of  Highways,  Township  Collector,  School  Di- 
rector, etc.  In  every  position  he  has  endeavored  to  render  his 
duties  faithfully. 


HISTORY   OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY.  451 

On  the  eleventh  day  of  August,  1835,  Mr.  Mustain  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  Woodside,  daughter  of  John  Wood- 
side,  another  old  and  well  known  pioneer  of  the  county.  Ten 
children  blessed  their  union,  three  of  whom,  with  the  mother, 
having  passed  on  to  that  "bourne  from  whence  no  traveler  returns." 
Mrs.  Mustain  WAS  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  died 
in  the  full  assurance  of  hope.  Of  the  remaining  children,  all  are 
married  save  one. 

Mr.  Mustain  is  living  on  a  good  farm  adjoining  the  village  of 
Blandinsville,  on  section  32,  and  is  well  known  to  all  residents 
of  the  county,  especially  the  older  settlers,  and  enjoys  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  all  alike.  Like  the  rest  of  the  family,  in  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat  of  the  old  school,  the  principles  of  that 
party  being  dear  to  his  heart. 

A.  H.  M'GAHAX. 

Alexander  Hunter  McGahau  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  five 
children,  and  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
the  seventh  day  of  December,  1840.  His  parents  were  John  and 
Eliza  Ann  (Jeftery)  McGahan,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  but  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  His  mother  had  been  previously  married 
to  Ebenezer  Ewing,  leaving  one  son,  who  is  still  living.  When 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  ten  years  of  age  his  father  died, 
leaving  three  other  children  besides  himself  dependent  on  the  ex- 
ertions of  the  mother;  two  of  whom  have  since  died,  the  other  be- 
ing the  wife  of  Rev.  L.  Y.  Hays,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  now 
residing  in  Stockton,  California.  Until  fourteen  years  of  age  Alex- 
ander H.  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  State,  and  also 
a  few  sessions  of  Hookstown  Academy.  He  then  entered  the  of- 
fice of  the  Waynesburg  (Pa.)  Messenger,  his  inclinations  being  in 
favor  of  a  literary  or  newspaper  life,  and  also  to  place  himself 
where  he  might  receive  the  counsel  and  oversight  of  a  much  loved 
uncle.  After  five  years  labor  at  Waynesburg,  Xew  Brighton  and 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  the  business  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health. 

In  the  spring  of  1861  he  removed  to  Illinois,  and  for  a  few 
months  was  switchman  at  the  railroad  station  at  Prairie  City, 
when  he  was  appointed  agent  at  Oak  Hill,  a  station  on  the  Peoria 
branch  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R,  He  remained  here  only  four 
months,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Bushnell,  taking  charge  of 
the  station  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  December,  1861,  and  where  he 


452  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

yet  remains,  being  one  of  the  oldest  agents  on  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  road 
in  point  of  service.  In  addition  to  the  railroad  agency,  Mr.  McGa- 
han  has  been  agent  of  the  American  Express  Company  during  his 
residence  in  Bushnell,  up  to  November  1,  1877.  As  a  business 
man  he  is  pains-taking  and  conscientious  in  all  that  he  does,  and 
endeavors  to  deal  honorably  with  all.  Few  m.en  in  like  position, 
bringing  him  daily  in' contact  with  all  classes  of  people,  have  so 
many  warm  friends. 

Since  his  seventeenth  year  Mr.  McGahan  has  been  a  professed 
Christian,  uniting  at  that  age  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  at 
Waynesburg,  Pennsylvania,  then  under  charge  of  his  uncle,  Rev. 
Samuel  H.  Jeffery.  With  this  body  he  retained  membership  at 
his  different  places  of  residence  until  his  removal  to  Bushnell, 
where,  there  being  at  the  time  no  organization  of  that  denomina- 
tion, he  united  with  the  Reformed  Church,  remaining  in  its  con- 
nection until  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
Bushnell,  in  1868,  of  which  he  was  an  organizing  member,  and 
was  chosen  one  of  its  ruling  elders,  which  office  he  yet  fills  in  an 
acceptable  manner.  As  a  member  of  the  body  of  Christ  he 
believes  in  work,  and  no  one  in  that  charge  does  more  to  advance 
the  Redeemer's  cause.  He  is  a  zealous  Sabbath  school  worker, 
and  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Presbyterian  Sabbath  school, 
in  Bushnell,  since  its  organization.  In  1875  he  was  chosen  by 
the  Schuyler  Presbytery  as  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  which  met  at  Cleveland  during  that  year. 

In  politics  Mr.  McGahan  is  a  radical  Republican,  having  cast 
his  first  and  last  vote  for  that  party.  While  indorsing  the  gen- 
eral principles  of  that  party,  he  does  not  indorse  any  appearance 
of  evil  by  its  member,  and  believes  in  rebuking  and  punishing 
corruption  in  high  places,  insisting  on  economy  in  private  life, 
and  correct  ideas  of  the  relation  of  man  to  man,  and  does  not 
believe  in  promoting  "policies"  in  national  or  local  politics  by 
compromising  principles. 

In  youth  Mr.  McGahan  was  sober  and  thoughtful,  but  lull  of 
life,  having  the  confidence  of  older  persons  probably  in  an  un- 
usual degree.  These  traits  of  character  have  been  retained 
through  life,  and  as  a  man  no  one  stands  higher  in  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow  citizens  of  whatever  religious  or  political  view. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  October,  1864,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Alice  West,  daughter  of  Stockton  West,  one 


453 

of  the  first  settlers  of  Bushnell,  and  one  of  its  leading  citizens. 
Two  sons,  Willie  Lincoln  and  Walter  Lowrie,  have  been  the  fruits 
of  this  union. 

REV.    JOSIAH    MOORE. 

The  parents  of  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  were  Charles 
and  Hannah  Moore,  the  former  of  English  and  the  latter  of 
Scotch  descent.  They  had  eight  children — five  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  two  eldest  children  died  in  infancy,  and  one  sou, 
John,  died  in  his  thirty-second  year,  on  the  ninth  of  March,  1858. 
The  records  of  the  old  families  show  a  strict  adherence  to  the 
Protestant  faith. 

Josiah,  the  third  child,  and  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
near  Ballybay,  Ireland,  September  18,  1833.  On  the  sixteenth  of 
June,  1834,  his  parents  sailed  for  the  United  States,  and  after  a 
tedious  voyage  in  one  of  the  slow  sailing  vessels  of  that  day, 
reached  Baltimore  on  the  eighteenth  of  August,  following.  From 
here  the  family  took  passage  in  one  of  the  great  road  wagons 
which  at  that  time  served  in  the  place  of  rail  cars,  and  came  by 
way  of  the  "National  Pike"  to  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  remained  with  friends  until  the  twelfth  of  March, 
1836,  when  they  proceeded  west,  the  father  having  preceded 
them  the  previous  fall.  They  took  a  boat  at  Wheeling,  West 
Virginia,  and  after  a  toilsome  journey  by  water  reached  Galena 
on  the  third  of  April.  Here  the  feverish  excitement  over  lead 
mining,  mud,  and  a  wild  western  life,  were  each  clamorous  for 
supremacy,  and  each,  at  times,  claimed  the  advantage  of  being 
uppermost.  On  the  sixteenth  of  May,  following,  the  family  moved 
to  their  new  home,  which  was  a  log  cabin,  erected  upon  a  tract  of 
land  secured  by  the  elder  Moore  about  twelve  miles  south  of 
Galena. 

At  an  early  age  Josiah  took  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  his 
father's  farm,  and  well  remembers,  when  a  mere  boy,  witnessing 
from  his  father's  door  the  Indians  in  pursuit  of  wild  game,  such 
as  deer,  turkeys,  geese,  prairie  chickens,  etc.,  that  were  then  so 
abundant.  Sometimes  a  squad  of  these  ill-fated  followers  of  the 
famous,  but  vanquished,  Black  Hawk,"would  march  into  the  house 
without  knocking,  and,  holding  up  a  ham  of  venison,  would  say: 
"Swap,  swap,  swap — bread,  bread."  When  they  would  become 
troublesome  by  repeating  their  visits  too  often,  his  mother  would 
say  "Puk-a-gee,"  and  they  would  at  once  leave. 
H— 29 


454  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  first  school  days  of  Josiah  were  spent  in  a  little  log  school 
house  built  by  his  father  on  his  own  land.  For  several  years  the 
children  from  a  large  scope  of  country  around  resorted  to  this 
humble  retreat,  seeking  for  a  nobler  destiny.  The  house  was 
roofed  with  sod,  had  one  sash,  with  six  small  lights  for  a  window, 
an  earth  floor,  a  very  large  fire  place,  while  the  cracks  between  the 
logs  were  filled  with  mud  in  the  winter,  but  all  taken  out  in  the 
summer  to  admit  of  light  and  air.  His  first  teacher  studied  law  at 
tee  same  time,  and  afterwards  became  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Wisconsin,  but  like  many  others  of  bright  promise, 
Judge  Crawford  finally  fell  a  victim  to  the  intoxicating  bowl. 

In  the  fall  of  1855,  while  running  a  large  threshing  machine,] 
Mr.  Moore  had  a  very  narrow  escape  from  losing  his  life  by  be- 
ing caught  in  the  machinery.  Soon  after  this  he  determined 
upon  carrying  out  the  long  cherished  purpose  of  his  life — the  ob- 
taining ot  a  liberal  education — and  accordingly  entered  West- 
minster College,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  the  sum- 
mer of  1860,  except  for  a  period  of  three  months  when  he  taught 
.a  school  near  his  old  home.  In  September,  1860,  he  entered  Mon- 
mouth  College,  Monmouth,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  the 
following  spring,  when  in  response  to  the  call  of  President 
Lincoln  for  troops,  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumpter,  April 
13,  1861,  together  with  E.  A.  Paine,  afterwards  General, 
lie  raised  a  company  and  tendered  its  service  to  Gov. 
Yates,  but  the  rush  to  Springfield  more  than  supplied  the  de- 
mand. The  Governor  gave  Mr.  Paine  command  of  the  9th 
Infantry,  and  Mr.  Moore  was  left  to  wait  on  another  call, 
which  soon  came  from  the  State  for  ten  regiments  to  go  into 
camp  in  their  respective  Congressional  districts  for  thirty  days, 
and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  for  United  States  service,  if 
needed.  He  accordingly  reported  with  his  company  at  Peoria, 
and  was  sworn  into  service  May  13.  Another  call  soon  came 
from  the  General  Government  and  the  company  entered  its  ser- 
vice May  25,  for  three  }7ears,  and  became  Company  F,  17th  Illinois 
Infantry.  The  greater  portion  of  the  company  were  students 
from  the  college  and  were  the  first  to  enlist  from  Warren  county. 
Mr.  Moore  was  commissioned  as  Captain  April  20,  1861,  and 
held  this  position  to  the  close  of  his  enlistment  and  then  returned 
home  in  command  of  his  company,  which  could  not  perhaps  be 
said  of  another  captain  of  the  ten  regiments.  After  the  seige 


455 

and  surrender  of  Yicksburg  he  was  elected  major,  but  the  regi- 
ment being  reduced  below  the  minimum  by  disease  and  loss  in 
battle,  he  never  received  his  commission.  The  17th  regiment  did 
i  gallant  service  at  Fredericktown,  Mo.,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
and  in  the  seiges  of  Corinth  and  Ticksburg,  besides  skirmishes  and 
marches  innumerable.  In  every  movement  it  generally  occupied 
the  front  line.  From  all  these  services  Captain  Moore  was  never 
absent,  unless  a  very  few  times  on  account  of  sickness.  He  was 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  his  men  whom  he  loved  as 
brothers.  "With  his  company  he  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield, 
i  111.,  June  4,  1864. 

A  few  days  after  his  return  from  the  army,  Captain  Moore  was 
captured  by  a  fairer  enemy  than  he  ever  met  upon  the  battle-field, 
and  was  bound  by  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  with  Miss  Jennie 
E.  Lindsay,  daughter  of  Hon.  J.  T.Lindsay,  of  Peoria.  The  Lord 
has  given  them  five  children — Maggie,  Linnie,  Jessie,  Charles  and 
Herbert.  Jessie  died  when  five  months  old. 

Captain  Moore  made  a  profession  of  religion  when  about  fifteen 
years  of  age,  and  united  with  the  Associate  Church  of  North 
<:  America.  In  September,  1863,  he  returned  to  his  place  in  college, 
and  in  addition  began  his  course  in  Monmouth  Theological  Semi- 
nary, in  October  following.  He  graduated  from  the  college  in 
1865  with  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  and  from  the  Seminary  in  1867 
iwith  the  degree  of  B.  D. 

On  the  fourth  of  April,  1866,  he  was  licensed  at  South  Hender- 
,  son,  Illinois,  by  the  United  Presbyterian  Presbytery,  of  Monmouth, 
'to  preach  the  gospel,  and  during  May  and  June  supplied  the 
[church  at  his  old  home,  Hanover,  Illinois,  from  which  he  after- 
ward received  a  call. 

Xot  being  satisfied  with  the  restrictions  imposed  upon  the  pas- 
toral work  by  some  of  the  "Distinctive  Principles"  of  the  old 
church,  and  having  an  earnest  desire  to  labor  in  a  southern  field, 
he  united  with  the  O.  S.  Presbyterian  church,  because  it  was  not 
only  the  most  nearly  in  accord  with  his  own  views,  but  at  that 
time  promised  the  best  opportunity  for  obtaining  his  cherished 
hopes,  hence  he  united  with  the  Presbytery  of  Peoria,  O.  S.,  at 
Lewistown,  Illinois,  April  17,  1867;  but  the  strife  that  about  this 
time  became  so  bitter  between  the  church  North  and  South,  ad- 
monished him  that  the  services  of  a  northern  man  to  be  accepta- 
ble to  the  south  must  be  deferred  to  some  future  day;  still  he  re- 
gards the  gospel  as  the  only  balm  for  all  these  sad  wounds. 


456  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  first  church  of  the  O.  S.  for  which  he  labored  was  that  of 
El  Paso,  supplying  the  church  during  the  months  of  June,  July 
and  August,  1867.  In  September  he  was  called  to  the  church  at 
Macon,  but  owing  to  the  destruction  of  their  building  by  a  torna- 
do, March  16,  1868,  he  gave  up  that  work.  In  August  of  that 
year  he  took  charge  of  the  church  at  Canton  ;  received  a  call 
March  25,  1869,  and  May  11  was  ordained  and  installed.  He 
labored  here  about  five  years,  during  wThich  time  the  church 
secured  a  very  neat  and  comfortable  house  of  worship  and  good 
parsonage  grounds.  On  the  •  twenty-fifth  of  May,  1873,  he  re- 
signed, and  on  Sabbath,  June  1,  1873,  he  preached  for  the  first 
time  in  Macomb.  In  the  church  at  this  place  he  remained  as 
stated  supply  until  October,  1874,  when  he  wTas  called  to  the  regu- 
lar pastoral  work,  which  position  he  yet  acceptably  fills.  Jn  Ma- 
comb  he  has  enshrined  himself  in  the  affections  of  the  people,  and 
among  all  classes,  whether  members  of  his  own  church  or  of 
another  denomination,  or  even  among  those  of  the  world,  he  is 
highly  esteemed  for  his  work's  sake.  Whether  it  be  in  his  own 
congregation  or  in  union  with  the  evangelical  churches  of  the 
city,  he  labors  earnestly  and  zealously  to  do  his  Master's  will  in 
converting  souls  to  Christ.  As  a  public  speaker  he  is  plain,  prac- 
tical and  earnest,  by  his  manner  as  well  as  by  his  words,  carrying 
conviction  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers. 

Rev.  Moore  is  a  large,  portly  man  of  good  figure,  and  pleasant 
and  agreeable  in  his  manner — one  calculated  to  make  friends 
wherever  he  goes. 

RICHARD    MUSSON. 

Richard  Musson,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Hobes)  Mussou,  was 
born  in  Long  Clossen,  Leicester  county,  England,  April  30,  1810. 
His  parents  were  in  very  moderate  circumstances,  hie  father  fol- 
lowing the  profession  of  boatman.  Young  Richard  attended  the 
public  schools  until  he  wras  ten  years  of  age,  when  he  was  placed 
on  the  boat  with  his  father,  and  for  some  years  continued  in  that 
work,  afterward  changing  it  for  the  trade  of  stone-mason,  which 
he  continued  to  follow  until  a  few  short  years  ago.  When  but 
twenty  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  with  the  hope 
of  better  success  in  a  worldly  point  of  view.  The  same  year  (1830) 
in  which  he  arrived  in  the  country  he  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Rebecca  Thornton,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  two  of 
whom  died  in  childhood,  and  one  since  her  marriage — Mary  J., 
wife  of  Rev.  Abraham  Kewland. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  457 

For  four  years  he  made  his  home  in  the  State  of  Xew  York, 
when  he  came  West,  stopping  in  Morgan  county,  where  he  re- 
mained six  years,  and  in  18-10  coming  to  McDonough  county, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  living  the  whole  period  of  time  within 
three  miles  of  the  present  town  of  Colchester ;  he,  therefore,  may 
well  be  classed  as  an  old  settler,  having  been  a  citizen  of  the 
county  for  thirty-seven  years,  and  having  experienced  the  hard- 
ships incidental  to  those  who  made  their  homes  here  at  an  early 
day. 

Although  he  may  not  have  obtained  the  prominence  of  many 
others,  Richard  Musson  is  well  known  throughout  the  county, 
especially  by  the  older  settlers,  while  none  know  him  but  to  re- 
spect the  sterling  worth  of  his  character,  He  has  always  been 
a  hard  working  man,  and  by  the  "sweat  of  his  face"  has  placed 
himself  in  comfortable  circumstances,  so  that  in  his  declining 
years,  he  can  pass  quietly  along,  and  when  the  summons  shall 
come,  he  can  answer,  "Here,  Lord,  am  I." 

In  1829,  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
up  to  the  preseut  time,  a  period  of  forty-eight  years,  has  ever  been 
v,  consistent  member  of  that  branch  of  the  Christian  church. 
For  years  he  has  occupied  the  position  of  class  leader,  and,  in  that 
capacity,  has  done  efficient  work  in  his  Master's  cause.  We  be- 
lieve it  will  be  written  of  him  in  that  great  day,  like  one  of  old,  "He 
hath  done  what  he  could."  No  better  epitaph  could  be  placed 
upon  the  monument  of  any  one  than  this. 

Richard  Musson  has  always  been  an  earnest  advocate  of  free 
schools,  urging  their  importance  upon  those  with  whom  he  has 
been  brought  in  contact,  realizing  ignorance  and  sin  go  hand  in 
hand,  while  knowledge  and  righteousness  dwell  together.  The 
efficient  schools  of  his  own  town  are  in  a  measure  due  to  him. 

THOMAS    A.    MUSTAIX. 

Thomas  A.  Mustain  was  the  third  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Glenn)  Mustain,  and  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  county,  Virginia, 
on  the  thirteenth  day  of  January,  1817.  He  is  a  full-blooded  Vir- 
ginian, both  his  parents  being  natives  of  that  State.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  Thomas  came  with  them  to  this  State  and 
county,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside,  and  where  he  is 
well  known  by  all  our  people.  He  has  never  followed  any  other 
occupation  than  that  of  farming,  living  with  and  assisting  his 
parents  until  he  reached  his  majority,  when,  together  with  his 


458  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

brother,  he  purchased  the  farm  of  John  "W.  Woodside,  on  section 
sixteen  of  Blandinsville  township,  which  farm  adjoined  that  of 
his  father.  Here  he  lived  and  toiled  until  the  year  1865,  when  he 
purchased  a  portion  of  section  nine  of  the  same  township,  to 
which  he  removed,  and  where  he  has  one  of  the  best  improved 
farms  in  the  county,  and  on  which  he  had  built,  in  1874,  one  of 
the  largest  and  best  brick  dwellings  in  the  county,  one  in  which 
he  can  entertain  a  host  of  friends  in  true  Virginia  style.  He  is 
now  the  possessor  of  some  of  the  best  land  in  the  county.  Up 
to  this  time  (1865)  Mr.  Mustain  had  successfully  resisted  all  the 
arts  and  wiles  of  the  fair  sex,  and  had  been  given  over  as  one  of 
the  unregenerate  who  would  never  submit  to  the  better  part ;  but 
strange  things  will  occur,  and  we  find  the  bachelor  armor  broken, 
and  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  March,  1865,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Martha  E.  Charter,  daughter  of  the  well  known  Jona- 
than Charter,  another  of  the  old  pioneers  of  the  county — one  of 
those  who  endured  the  trials  and  privations  of  a  frontier  life  that 
we  might  reap  the  benefit  thereof.  The  result  of  this  union  has 
been  six  children,  two  of  whom,  before  they  had  experienced  any 
of  the  hardships  of  this  world,  were  translated  into  that  upper 
and  better  kingdom  which  is  above. 

In  1844,  when  the  Mormon  difficulties  had  assumed  such  pro- 
portions as  to  become  necessary  for  the  Governor  of  the  State  to 
call  out  its  militia,  Mr.  Mustain  enrolled  his  name  and  was 
chosen  lieutenant  of  a  company  under  command  of  George  "W. 
Blandin.  For  this  service  he  received  from  the  State  the  munifi- 
cent sum  of  thirteen  dollars  and  forty-four  cents. 

Mr.  Mustain  has  never  held  public  office  of  any  kind,  and  has 
never  aspired  thereto,  being  content  to  be  of  that  vast  number 
who  remain  in  obscurity  to  till  the  soil  and  lend  strong  hands  and 
willing  hearts  to  the  advancement  of  local  interests.  The  family 
of  which  he  is  a  membr  have  done  much  for  the  improvement  and 
welfare  of  Blandinsville  township,  and  some  of  the  best  farms  in 
it  are  held  by  them. 

Thomas  A  Mustain  is  full  six  feet  in  height  and  weighs  about 
215  pounds.  He  is  a  man  who  takes  life  in  an  easy  manner,  at- 
tending to  his  own  affairs  in  his  own  way  and  interfering  with  no 
others.  He  is  rnild  in  government  in  the  family  circle,  and  as  a 
neighbor  he  is  all  that  is  implied  in  the  word.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat  ot  the  old  school,  serving  his  party 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  459 

!  in  a  faithful  manner.     If  he  ever   scratches  his  ticket  we  do  not 
know  it.     He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Democratic  county  central 
I  committee  and  lends  his  counsel  and  influence  to  the  general  suc- 
[cess  of  the  party. 

HON.    WILLIAM    H.    XEECE. 

Xo  man  in  McDonough  county  is  better  known  or  more  univer- 
sally esteemed  than  AVilliam  H.  Xeece,  who  was  born  in  Sanga- 
l  mon  county,  Illinois,  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  February,  1831, 
and  brought  by  his  parents  to  this  county  wThen  only  two  months 
old.  Here  he  has  continued  to  reside  to  the  present  time.  His 
parents  were  Jesse  and  Mary  D.  (Maupin)  Xeece;  his  father  a 
Kentuckian  by  birth,  while  his  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 
The  elder  Xeece  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  and  in  the  early 
day  w^as  a  man  of  some  note.  He  died  in  I860.  The  early  life  of 
AVm.  H.  Xeece  was  passed  on  a  farm  and  in  attendance  upon  the 
common  schools  in  this  county — he  never  having  had  the  advan- 
tage of  a  collegiate  education.  Until  twenty-four  he  remained 
upon  a  farm,  engaging  in  its  laborious  work.  In  1857  he  entered 
the  law  office  of  Judge  John  S.  Bailey,  for  the  purpose  of  read- 
ing law,  which  he  had  decided  to  adopt  as  a  profession.  For 
about  one  year  he  pursued  his  studies,  and  in  1858,  having  passed 
a  creditable  examination,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  to-day 
no  man  ranks  higher  in  the  profession  in  this  county.  Although 
not  possessed  of  the  thorough  literary  education  of  many  others, 
his  great  energy  and  sterling  common  sense,  his  aptness  in 
(collecting  and  arranging  evidence,  have  placed  him  in  the 
, front  rank  ot  his  chosen  profession.  In  criminal  practice  Mr. 
Xeece  has  especially  secured  an  enviable  reputation,  and  there 
:has  probably  not  been  an  important  trial  for  murder  either* in 
this  or  adjoining  counties  for  a  number  of  years  but  in  which  he 
has  been  engaged.  In  the  celebrated  Bond  trials,  both  of  Miles 
Bond,  at  Rushville,  and  John  and  James  Bond,  at  Macomb,  for 
the  murder  of  AVilliam  H.  Randolph,  Mr.  Xeece  was  the  chief  at- 
torney for  the  defense,  and  to  him  more  than  to  any  other  do  the 
Bonds  owe  their  release.  He  it  was  who  collected,  arranged  and 
sifted  all  the  evidence  presented.  Xo  stone  was  left  unturned  that 
was  beneficial  to  his  clients;  every  flaw  in  the  indictment  or  in  the 
evidence  of  the  prosecution  was  detected  and  used  to  the  advan- 
tage of  himself  and  clients.  In  this  lies  the  great  success  of  Mr. 
Xeece  as  an  attorney  ;  his  patient  investigation  of  a  case  and  the 


460  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

zeal  with  which  he  works  it  up,  enables  him  to  triumph  over  all 
opposition.  All  the  minor  points,  so  often  overlooked  by  the  aver- 
age attorney,  and  on  which  the  merits  of  a  case  so  frequently  de- 
pend, are  looked  after  as  closely  as  those  points  open  and 
apparent  to  all.  Another  case  of  great  importance,  and  which 
required  a  large  amount  of  patient  investigation,  was  the  trial  of 
Thomas  Johnson  for  murder.  This  was  a  change  of  venue  from 
Henderson  county,  the  home  of  the  man  charged  with  the  com- 
mission of  the  crime,  to  McDonough.  The  same  untiring  efforts 
were  made  in  this  case  as  in  the  other,  and  with  like  result.  As- 
sociated in  the  case  were  E.  G.  Ingersoll,  J.  W.  Davidson,  and 
Charles  Harris,  for  the  defense,  and  C.  F.  Wheat,  William  Mc- 
Ivenzie,  and  J.  J.  Glenn,  for  the  prosecution,  an  array  of  talent 
the  equal  of  the  same  number  of  men  to  be  secured  anywhere  in 
the  State.  Again,  in  the  case  of  Tuttle,  for  the  murder  of  Miles 
Matteson,  a  case  from  Colchester,  in  this  county,  Mr.  £Teece  was 
chief  attorney  in  the  defense.  The  jury  hung,  and  the  case  was 
taken  to  Schuyler  on  a  change  of  venue.  In  this  case  Mr.  Neece 
did  not  secure  the  acquittal  of  his  client,  but  obtained  the  shortest 
sentence  possible  under  the  circumstances. 

In  general  practice  Mr.  !N"eece  has  been  equally  successful  and 
pursues  the  same  course  for  the  benefit  of  his  clients  as  in  crim- 
inal practice,  and  in  the  prosecution  of  cases  in  the  United  States 
Bankrupt  Court  has  had  more  business  than  any  other  attorney 
in  the  county,  if  not  all  combined.  Also  as  a  counsellor,  he  is  safe 
and  practical,  and,  in  connection  with  the  law  upon  the  subject, 
makes  use  of  that  useful  commodity  called  common  sense  in  bas- 
ing his  opinions. 

As  a  politician  Mr.  Neece  is  a  Democrat  of  the  old  school,  the 
principles  of  that  time-honored  party  being  inborn  in  him,  and  he 
is  ever  ready  to  defend  them  with  the  same  zeal  characterizing 
him  in  other  walks  of  life.  On  several  occasions  has  he  been  hon- 
ored by  the  party  with  nominations  for  office,  and  a  nomina- 
tion has  usually  been  equivalent  to  an  election.  In  1864  he  re- 
ceived the  nomination  for  Representative  in  the  Illinois  Legislature 
and  was  triumphantly  elected ;  again  in  1870  with  like  result.  In 
1868  he  was  elected  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention 
that  formed  our  present  Constitution.  In  each  of  these  capaci- 
ties, he  served  his  constituents  in  a  faithful  manner,  attending 
closely  to  the  business  for  which  he  was  elected,  rendering,  in 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  461 

general,  satisfaction  to  men  of  all  parties.  In  1872  he  received 
the  nomination  for  Congress  from  the  tenth  Congressional  Dis- 
trict, of  which  McDonough  county  forms  a  part,  and  although 
running  one  thousand  votes  ahead  of  his  ticket  he  was  defeated. 
It  is  due  to  Mr.  Xeece  to  say  he  has  never  ran  for  office  without 
running  ahead  of  his  ticket,  being  personally  popular  all  over  the 
county,  and  wherever  known.  The  reason  for  this  will  be  shown 
further  on.  He  has  always  been  nominated  against  the  best  men 
of  the  opposition. 

As  previously  remarked,  Mr.  STeece  lived  with  his  parents  (who 
came  to  this  county  on  the  second  day  of  April,  1831,  and  settled 
upon  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  Colchester),  until  his  twentieth 
year.  In  the  fall  of  1850  he  engaged  in  chopping  wood  on  the 
Illinois  river,  and  in  the  winter  worked  in  a  pork  house  for 
Charley  Farwell  (well  known  to  old  settlers),  in  Frederick.  In 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1851  he  broke  prairie  on  Tennessee 
prairie,  and  in  the  winter  following  attended  school  in  Macomb, 
taught  by  D.  S.  Hampton,  Esq.  In  the  spring  of  1852  he  essayed 
to  teach  school  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  which,  as  a  faithful 
biographer,  we  must  confess  was  not  a  success.  But  this  did  not 
deter  him  from  again  attempting  the  work,  and  we  find  him  the 
winter  following  again  engaged  in  teaching  near  the  present  loca- 
tion of  Colchester.  In  this  school  he  achieved  better  success,  but 
probably  not  enough  to  cause  him  to  adopt  that  business  as  a  pro- 
fession, as  this  is  the  last  account  we  have  of  him  engaged  in  like 
occupation. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  wishing  to  better  his  fortunes,  he  deter- 
mined on  emigrating  to  the  land  of  gold,  and,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  George  AV.  Xeece,  and  family,  he  crossed  the  plains 
with  an  ox  team,  arriving  in  Portland,  Oregon,  the  September 
following.  Here  he  only  remained  one  month,  when  he  proceeded 
to  California,  where,  after  making  an  unsuccessful  attempt  at 
mining,  he  engaged  as  a  cook  in  a  hotel  operated  on  the  European 
plan,  in  the  city  of  Sacramento.  This  business  he  followed  until 
the  spring  of  1854,  when,  he  again  engaged  in  mining  in  company 
with  his  brother  George,  in  the  vicinity  of  Grass  Valley,  continuing 
the  same  in  Xevada  county  until  the  fifteenth  of  May,  J855,  when 
both  returned  to  old  McDouough. 

lu  the  fall  of  1856  Mr.  Xeece  engaged  as  purchasing  agent  for 
the  real  estate  firm  of  J.  II.  Baker  &  Co.,  in  the  city  of  Macomb, 


462 

which  business   he  followed  for  one  year.     In  this  business  he 
traveled  over  many  States,  meeting  with  great  success. 

On  the  third  day  of  May,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Jennette  Ingles,  with  whom  he  lives  a  happy  and  contented 
life.  Three  children,  all  of  whom  are  yet  living,  have  blessed 
their  union.  The  family  reside  in  a  pleasant  and  comfortable 
home  in  the  western  part  of  the  city  of  Macomb. 

In  searching  for  incidents  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Neece  for  this 
sketch  we  ran  across  the  following  article,  published  in  the  Ma- 
comb  Journal  August  14,  1873  : 

"About  3  o'clock  A.  M.  Monday  last  William  H.  Neece,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  was  awakened 
by  a  noise  in  his  sleeping  room.  On  opening  his  eyes  he  was  somewhat  startled  to  see, 
by  the  light  of  a  full  shining  moon,  a  stalwart  fellow  in  the  act  of  appropriating  his 
pocket-book.  Fully  convinced  that  the  man  was  a  burglar,  without  awaiting  an  intro- 
duction, Mr.  Neece  gave  a  backhanded  blow,  at  the  same  time  jumping  out  of  bed,  and 
in  solid  battle  line  charged  the  enemy.  The  burglar  was  about  as  thoroughly  startled  by 
the  sudden  onslaught  of  the  plucky  lawyer  as  the  lawyer  was  at  first  sighting  the  thief, 
but  he  soon  showed  that  he  didn't  mean  to  stand  and  see  himself  whipped  and  cap- 
tured, and  the  result  was  one  of  the  most  sharply  contested  fights  that  ever  came  off  in 
Macomb.  'Brother  Neece'  handed  the  thief  the  hospitalities  of  his  house  in  the  shape  of 
chairs,  etc.,  in  a  lively  manner,  and  the  fellow  responded  with  his  fists  and  chairs  which 
he  wrested  from  his  antagonist  in'the  best  style  he  knew  how.  Two  or  three  times  around 
the  room  did  the  men  fight,  and  the  thief  made  an  effort  to  escape  and  ran  into  another 
room.  Mr.  Neece  pursued,  and  here  the  combat  was  renewed.  After  a  time  they  emerged 
into  the  open  air,  and  in  the  yard  the  fight  was  kept  up  until  both  were  utterly  exhausted, 
The  thief  was  the  largest  and  strongest  of  the  two,  and  Mr.  Neece  was  unable  to  hold  or 
wrest  his  pocket-book  from  him.  The  house  is  quite  remote  from  others,  and  it  was  not 
until  after  the  robber  had  decamped  that  assistance,  for  which  Mrs.  Neece  ran  in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  affair,  came.  When  it  did  come  Mr.  N.  was  lying  in  the  yard  where  he 
had  fainted  from  pure  exhaustion." 

This  shows  that  he  is  a  man  not  to  be  trifled  with,  and  even  if 
small  in  stature  he  can  stand  up  for  his  rights. 

William  II.  Neece  is  of  slender  but  well  knit  proportions,  light 
hair  and  beard,  the  latter  worn  only  upon  the  chin.  As  a  hus- 
band and  father  he  is  kind  and  pleasant,  as  a  friend  and  neighbor 
sympathetic  and  benevolent,  as  a  citizen  is  alive  to  every  public 
interest,  and  not  as  a  politician  but  as  a  representative  of  the 
whole  body  does  he  work  for  the  public  good.  From  what  has 
been  written  it  can  easily  be  inferred  he  is  a  man  of  the  people. 
He  has  experienced  the  hardships  and  perils  ot  a  pioneer  life, 
and  can  sympathize  with  that  class  in  all  they  are  called  upon  to 
endure.  By  the  "sweat  of  his  face"  he  has  toiled  day  after  day 
for  the  necessaries  of  life  and  therefore  knows  the  sorrows  of  the 
poor.  His  personal  popularity  is  almost  unbounded,  especially 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  463 

among  the  class  last  mentioned,  whose  friend  he  has  always  been, 
and  when  a  candidate  for  public  office  these  facts  are  taken  into 
consideration,  the  consequence  being  that  he  receives  the  votes  of 
very  many  of  the  opposition.  Such,  in  brief,  is  William  H. 
Xeece.  A  bright  future  is  doubtless  yet  before  him. 

ABRAHAM   NEWLAND,    JR. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  England,  having  been 
born  in  the  town  of  Evenwood,  county  of  Durham,  on  the  third 
day  of  February,  1838.  His  parents  were  Abraham  and  Sarah 
(Porter)  Xewland,  also  of  the  same  country,  people  in  very  mod- 
erate circumstances — so  poor,  in  fact,  that  their  son  was  only  per- 
mitted to  attend  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  from  the 
time  he  was  five  years  of  age  until  he  was  eight,  at  which  time 
he  was  placed  in  the  coal  mines  of  that  country.  During  the  first 
three  years  he  was  only  compelled  to  work  from  three  to  four  days 
each  week,  but  after  that  time  six  days  was  he  required  to  labor. 
For  several  years  he  never  saw  daylight  but  once  each  week, 
going  to  his  work  each  morning  before  day,  and  never  returning 
until  night.  In  the  mine  where  he  first  worked,  and  during  the 
whole  time  in  which  he  remained,  there  was  used  for  pumping 
water  the  first  engine  constructed  for  use  on  a  locomotive.  This 
engine  is  now  kept  in  a  glass  case  in  the  towTn  of  Darlington, 
Durham  count}',  England,  and  was  seen  by  Mr.  Xewland  when  on 
a  visit  to  his  native  country  a  few  years  ago. 

The  father  of  Abraham  Xewlaud  was  a  God-fearing  man  and 
an  earnest  Christian,  one  who  endeavored  to  bring  up  his  children 
in  the  "fear  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,"  and  when  his  son  was 
still  an  infant,  he  carried  him  in  his  arms  to  the  Sabbath  school. 
Here  and  at  the  family  altar  was  sown  the  "good  seed  of  the 
word,"  which  in  after  years  bore  fruit,  and  we  trust  will  continue 
to  bear  fruit  an  hundred  fold. 

The  opportunity  for  obtaining  a  competency  in  the  old  world  is 
poor  indeed  to  those  born  in  poverty,  so  in  1853  the  father  of 
Abraham  sailed  for  the  United  States,  and  two  years  thereafter 
sent  for  his  family.  On  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  July  1855,  Abra- 
ham, with  his  mother  and  the  rest  of  the  family,  left  their  native 
shores,  sailing  for  Xew  York,  at  which  place  they  arrived  in  due 
time,  and  from  thence  coming  west  to  LaSalle,  in  this  State, 
where  the  husband  and  father  had  obtained  employment  in  the 
coal  mines  of  that  county.  For  two  years  they  remained  there, 


464  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

when  they  proceeded  further  west,  settling  in  the  town  of  Col- 
chester, this  county,  in  the  year  1857,  at  which  place  they  yet  re- 
main. Employment  was  at  once  obtained  in  the  coal  mines  by 
father  and  son,  and  until  the  year  1862  Abraham  continued  to 
work  faithfully  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers  and  his 
own  conscience.  Although  but  a  young  man,  he  was  recognized 
as  a  leader  among  his  fellow  miners,  and  in  all  cases  where  a 
spokesman  was  required  to  make  known  their  wants  and  desires 
to  their  employers,  he  was  put  forward  as  their  representative. 
As  before  remarked,  he  continued  to  work  in  the  mines  until  the 
year  1862,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Capt.  Brink's 
company,  124th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  to  serve  three  years 
or  during  the  war.  The  men  at  this  time  desired  him  to  accept 
the  office  of  lieutenant,  but  this  he  refused  for  one  older  in  years. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  captain  fourth  sergeant,  but  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  men  he  was  made  orderly  sergeant  of  the  company. 
In  this  capacity  he  went  out,  serving  as  such  until  promoted.  As 
probably  well  known  by  our  readers,  the  124th  did  excellent  ser- 
vice in  the  war,  and  no  man  in  the  entire  regiment  showed  more 
bravery  or  discharged  his  duty  more  faithfully  than  the  coal  dig- 
ger, Abraham  NVvvlaud,  Jr.  At  the  battle  of  Raymond,  Miss., 
while  an  orderly  sergeant,  he  commanded  the  company,  there  be- 
ing no  commissioned  officer  present,  and  for  bravery  upon  the 
battle  field  he  was  commended  by  the  colonel,  who  promised  him 
promotion. 

At  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  a  few  days  thereafter,  he  was 
shot  through  the  jaw,  and  falling  upon  the  field,  was  reported  as 
killed.  Life  being  discovered  in  him,  he  was  taken  up  and  re- 
moved to  the  hospital,  and  word  was  given  out  that  he  was  mor- 
tally wounded.  At  the  hospital  the  surgeon  of  his  regiment 
discovered  him,  and  took  him  in  charge.  A  cot  was  provided,  and 
he  was  placed  thereon,  when  the  surgeon  ordered  some  brandy  and 
water  to  be  given  him.  Not  being  able  to  speak,  he  motioned 
the  mixture  away  with  his  hand;  he  was  still  urged  to  partake, 
but  still  refused,  when  the  doctor,  losing  his  patience,  turned  on 
his  heel,  saying,  "D — n  him,  let  him  die."  As  soon  as  his  passion 
had  cooled  the  doctor  returned  and  dressed  his  wounds,  making 
him  as  comfortable  as  possible.  For  weeks  he  suffered,  until 
finally  the  wound  healed  and  he  was  again  restored  to  active  duty. 
One  of  the  lieutenants  of  his  company  resigning,  an  application 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  465 

-  was  made  to  have  him  commissioned  to  fill  the  vacancy,  but 
before  the  matter  was  completed  Captain  Brink  resigned  and  he 
received  the  appointment  and  was  duly  commissioned  as  Captain 

]  and  the  command  of  the  company  given  him.     This  position  he 

;  retained  during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  receiving  the  respect 
of  his  men  and  duly  honored  by  his  brother  officers.  On  the  fif- 
teenth day  of  August,  1865,  the  regiment  was  discharged  and 
Captain  Xewland  returned  home  to  meet  his  wife  and  little  ones 
and  take  his  position  in  civil  life  once  more. 

The  life  of  a  miner  was  never  agreeable  to  Captain  ^Tewland, 
and  he  had  determined  long  before  this  to  change  it  should  the 
opportunity  offer.  We  therefore  find  him  within  two  weeks  from 

!  the  time  of  his  return  home  opening  out  a  stock  of  dry  goods  and 
groceries,  investing  in  the  business  all  the  money  he  brought  with 
him  from  the  army,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  eleven  hundred  dol- 
lars. Nearly  twelve  years  has  since  elapsed,  and  we  find  the  little 
stock  increased  to  an  extent  requiring  a  large  room  for  storing 
the  goods  and  the  trade  of  the  house  increased  in  proportion;  we 
find  he  has  continually  added  to  his  capital;  that  investments 
made  by  him  have  increased  wonderfully,  and  to-day  he  is  in  pos- 
session of  a  sum  that  would  enable  him  to  retire  from  active  life 
and  live  at  ease.  All  this  as  a  legitimate  growth  of  business  en- 
terprise and  sagacity. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  Captain  Newland  experienced  religion 
and  united  with  the  Primitive  Methodist  Church,  with  which 
body  he  retained  membership  until  his  removal  to  this  country. 
There  being  no  congregation  of  that  order  in  the  community  in 
which  be  made  his  home,  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  the  organization  of  that  church  in  Colchester,  in 
1858,  he  formed  one  of  the  original  members,  and  has  since  taken 
an  active  part  in  all  its  work.  In  1860  he  became  a  licensed  ex- 
horter,  receiving  the  appointment  from  Rev.  Richard  Haney,  then 
presiding  elder  for  this  district.  When  he  returned  home  from 
the  army  he  received  from  the  conference  a  license  to  preach,  since 
which  time  he  has  continued  to  labor  in  word  and  doctrine.  He 
has  never  asked  for  a  regular  appointment  as  pastor,  believing  he 
could  accomplish  as  much  good  in  the  local  work  as  in  the  regu- 
lar field.  Nearly  every  Sabbath  he  preaches  for  some  of  the 
neighboring  churches,  and  on  funeral  occasions  his  services  have 
specially  been  in  demand.  It  is  said  he'preaches  more  discourses 


46fi  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

of  this  nature  than  any  regular  minister  in  the  county.  In  Sun- 
day school  work  he  is  especially  pre-eminent,  having  from  child- 
hood taken  great  interest  in  this  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  In 
all  the  neighborhood  Sunday  school  conventions  he  is  called  upon 
to  take  an  active  part,  and  in  the  county  work  he  is  behind  none. 

Captain  Newland  has  been  twice  married,  the  first  time  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  Musson,  daughter  of  Richard  Musson,  Esq.,  the  ceremony 
taking  place  on  the  third  day  of  March,  1859.  By  her  he  had 
five  children,  two  only  of  whom  are  now  living,  three  of  the  chil- 
dren, with  their  mother,  having  passed  over  the  river  to  the  better 
land,  where,  in  that  beautiful  city  whose  streets  are  paved  with 
gold,  they  wait  the  coming  of  other  loved  ones.  Mrs.  Newland 
died  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  January,  1871,  in  the  full  assurance 
of  hope.  On  the  eighteenth  day  of  June,  1872,  he  was  again  mar- 
ried, leading  to  the  altar  Miss  Annie  Musson,  a  sister  of  his  de- 
ceased wife. 

Abraham  Newland  is  a  man  of  medium  height,  light  com- 
plexion, blue  eyes,  light  hair  and  beard,  a  well  developed  head, 
and  is  every  inch  a  man.  No  man  stands  higher  in  the  commu- 
nity than  he,  and  none  deserves  more  from  his  fellow-citizens.  He 
is  a  pleasant,  agreeable  gentleman,  having  a  heart  overflowing 
with  love  of  humanity,  a  friend  to  the  poor,  and  above  all,  a  true 
Christian.  In  the  home  circle  he  is  kind  and  affectionate  ;  in  the 
church  an  earnest  worker;  as  a  citizen  he  has  the  good  of  all  at 
heart  and  works  to  advance  the  interests  of  -  his  adopted  town 
and  county  as  much  as  his  own  individual  interests.  Would  we 
had  more  Abraham  ^N"ewlands. 

ASA  K.  OWEN. 

The  subject  of  our  present  sketch  is  now  in  the  prime  of  life, 
having  been  born  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  March,  1838,  in 
Philometh,  Indiana.  His  parents  were  Asaland  Elizabeth  (Graf- 
ton)  Owen,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  latter 
of  Virginia.  At  the  birth  of  Asa  his  father  was  in  good  circum- 
stances, but  shortly  after  became  unfortunate,  losing  his  all,  and 
like  thousands  of  others,  sought  new  fields  of  labor,  coming  to 
McDonough  county  in  1841,  here  living,  with  the  exception  of 
about  five  years  spent  in  Adams  county,  this  State,  until  the  day 
of  his  death.  The  educational  advantages  of  Asa  were  limited 
to  the  common  schools  of  this  county,  and  a  few  month's  at- 
tendance in  the  High  School  of  Professors  Barge  and  Cannon,  in 


467 

Macomb  ;  but  notwithstanding,  by  constant  application  and  study 
at  home  he  has  mastered  nearly  all  the  sciences  usually  taught  in 
the  academies  and  colleges  of  the  West.  About  nine  years  of  his 
life  has  been  spent  in  teaching,  choosing  this  as  a  profession,  it 
being  well  suited  to  his  taste  and  more  lucrative  than  any  other 
business  requiring  no  capital  but  talents.  He  has  occupied  the 
position  of  teacher  in  several  different  States  of  the  Union,  hav- 
ing taught  in  the  High  School  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  and  in  various 
schools  of  this  State  and  Missouri.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  in  1861,  he  was  teaching  in  this  latter  State,  and  on 
account  of  his  Free-soil  and  Union  principles,  was  invited  to 
leave.  He  at  once  returned  home  and  began  the  work  of  raising 

i  recruits  for  the  army,  but  on  account  of  ill-health  he  was  refused 
enrollment  himself,  which  was  a  great  disappointment,  as  it  was 
his  desire  to  do  all  he  could  in  the  defense  of  his  country.  Al- 
though his  services  were  declined  in  the  field,  yet  at  home  he 
could  work  for  the  cause,  and  no  more  loyal  man  could  be  found 
in  the  county  than  Asa  K.  Owen.  As  a  "mite"  he  contributed  to 
the  songs  oi  his  country  a  battle  hymn  entitled  "During  the  Bat- 
tle/' which  was  published  by  H.  M.  Higgins,  one  of  the  leading 
music  publishers  of  the  country.  For  a  number  of  years  past  Mr. 
Owen  has  contributed,  over  various  nom  de  plumes,  considerable  to 
the  press  of  the  country,  both  prose  and  poetry.  His  articles  are  all 
well  written,  and,  as  will  be  observed  elsewhere  in  this  work,  are 

f  very  readable  and  of  much  interest.  "The  McDonough  County  Pio- 

I  neers,"  and  "  Autumn  in  McDonough  County,  "   will   appeal  to 

F  every  one. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  March,  1865  (the  anniversary  of  his 

f  birth),  he  led  to  the  marriage  altar  Miss  N.  A.  Edrnundson. 
Three  children  hath  the  Lord  given  them,  one  of  whom  has 
passed  over  the  river  and  dwells  on  the  other  side ;  two  yet  re- 
main to  add  joy  and  comfort  to  their  parents'  hearts. 

Mr.  Owen  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  hav- 

'  ing  united  with  that  body  in  1868,  under  the  ministration  of  Elder 
Underwood,  by  whom  he  was  baptized.  Since  becoming  identi- 
fied with  the  body  of  Christ,  he  has  endeavored  to  use  such  talents 
as  the  Lord  has  given  him  for  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 

•  cause.  He  has  for  some  time  held  the  office  of  steward  in  his  own 
congregation,  and  also  that  of  district  steward.  The  steward  is 
the  financial  officer  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  corresponds  to  that 


468  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


of  deacon  in  other  churches.  In  the  Sunday  School  work  he  also 
takes  great  interest,  realizing  its  great  importance  and  laboring 
zealously  in  the  good  cause. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  county,  where  he  is  best  known,  Mr. 
Owen  is  quite  popular,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
he  wields  considerable  influence.  On  several  occasions  he  has 
been  pressed  by  his  friends  to  run  for  public  office,  but  only 
once  has  his  name  been  submitted  to  the  people — in  1873,  when 
he  received  the  nomination  for  County  Clerk  at  a  very  unfortun- 
ate time,  as  the  farmers  and  laboring  classes  were  then  generally 
excited  over  the  cry  of  monopoly  uttered  against  the  manufactur- 
ing and  mercantile  classes,  and  uniting  under  the  name  of  Anti- 
Monopoly  party,  swept  the  country  like  a  whirlwind.  One  satis- 
faction was  afforded  Mr.  Owen  when  the  result  of  the  canvass  was 
made  known  :  he  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  considerably,  notwith- 
standing there  were  on  it  other  very  popular  men.  He  has  been 
honored  by  his  township  and  town  on  several  occasions,  and  has 
served  as  Postmaster  of  Tennessee  for  some  years.  We  yet 
believe  his  services  will  be  called  forth  by  his  party  and  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

In  1865  he  opened  a  stock  of  general  merchandise  in  Tennessee, 
and  has  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  ever  since — a  period 
of  twelve  years.  He  has  also  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  en- 
gaged in  the  grain  trade,  purchasing  for  shipment,  the  small 
grain  brought  to  that  market.  Success  has  crowned  his  efforts, 
and  to-day  we  find  him  in  good  comfortable  circumstances,  every 
dollar  of  his  wealth  gained  by  a  life  of  toil  in  a  straight  forward 
legitimate  way.  Some  three  years  ago  he  purchased  a  farm  lying 
one  mile  west  of  town  on  which  he  resides  with  his  family.  The 
farm  is  well  improved,  with  a  good  comfortable  house  in  which 
to  live,  and  where,  surrounded  by  wife  and  children,  he  can  enjoy 
lite. 

Asa  K.  Owen  is  about  five  feet  eight  inches  in  height,  good 
proportions,  well  developed  head,  black  hair  and  eyes,  full,  flow- 
ing, black  beard,  and  of  good  address.  No  man  stands  higher  in 
the  community  than  he,  none  deserves  more  from  his  fellow-cit- 
izens. As  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  is  kind  and  benevolent,  as  a 
husband  and  father,  he  rules  with  love  and  receives  the  love  of 
all  in  return. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  469 

IS\AC  X.  PEARSON. 

McDonough  county  has  been  especially  fortunate  in  the  selec- 
tion of  her  county  officers,  never  since  its  organization  to  the 
present  time  having  lost  a  dollar  by  the  betrayal  of  her  trusts, 
and  no  man  ever  served  more  faithfully  than  Isaac  X.  Pearson, 
the  present  efficient  Circuit  Clerk,  who  was  born  in  Centerville, 
Pennsylvania,  July  27, 1842.  His  parents  were  Isaac  S.  and  Lydia 
(Painter)  Pearson,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was 
for  many  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  served  his 
county  (Butler)  in  the  Legislature  of  his  native  State.  In  1846? 
after  bidding  his  family  good-bye,  he  departed  for  Philadelphia  to 
purchase  goods.  While  there  he  was  taken  sick  with  the  fever, 
from  which  he  never  recovered,  and  died  in  that  city  far  from 
home  and  kindred,  none  of  the  family  ever  being  permitted  to  see 
his  face  again.  He  was  buried  by  the  Society  of  Friends  in  that 
city,  being  connected  by  birth  with  that  body  of  faithful  disciples 
of  Christ.  Mrs.  Pearson,  with  the  family,  shortly  after  her  hus- 
band's death,  went  to  Xew  Castle,  Lawrence  county,  which  place 
she  made  her  home  until  the  year  1849,  when  she  removed  to 
Hancock  county  this  State,  settling  near  the  town  of  La  Harpe, 
where  she  resided  until  her  removal  to  Macomb  in  1858.  In  this 
latter  place  she  resided  until  her  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
third  day  of  March,  1872,  being  at  the  time  sixty-six  years  of  age, 
departing  this  life  on  the  anniversary  day  of  her  birth.  Mrs. 
Pearson,  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  made  a  profession  of  re- 
ligion, uniting  with  the  M.  E.  church,  with  which  body  she  re- 
mained a  consistent  and  faithful  member  until  called  to  join  the 
angelic  throng  above.  She  was  a  woman  universally  respected  by 
all  who  knew  her,  and  combined  in  her  being  many  rare  qualities 
which  go  to  make  the  true  woman  and  mother.  Her  funeral  was 
largely  attended.  Rev.  Henderson  Ritchie,  who  had  long  been 
intimately  acquainted  with  her,  delivering  the  funeral  discourse  : 
"Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  ;  yea,  and  from  hence 
forth  they  shall  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow 
them." 

Isaac  X.  Pearson,  of  whom  we  now  write,  was  the  youngest  of 
seven  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  men  and  women's  estate,  five 
of  whom  yet  dwell  upon  this  side  of  the  river  of  death.  With 
his  mother  he  made  such  removals  from  place  to  place  as  pre- 

H— 30 


470  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

viously  mentioned,  passing  the  first  eight  years  of  his  life  in  a 
town,  and  the  eight  following  upon  a  farm.  The  only  education- 
al advantages  enjoyed  by  him  were  in  the  common  schools  and 
two  years  attendance  in  the  select  school  ot  Prof.  J.  "\V.  Mathews, 
in  Macomb,  in  the  years  of  1856-57.  In  1891,  he  entered  the  of- 
fice of  J.  B.  Cummings,  Circuit  Clerk  of  the  county,  serving  as 
Recorder  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment from  Mr.  Cummings  as  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  acceptably  until  the  expiration  of  Mr.  Cumming's 
term  of  office.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  he  went  to  Bushnell  to  take 
a  position  in  the  banking  house  of  Messrs.  Chandler  &  Cummings, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1868,  when  he  again  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk,  this  time  from 
B.  F.Pinkley,  then  elected  to  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk  of  the 
county.  This  position  he  retained  for  the  four  years'  term  of 
Captain  Pinkley,  giving  such  satisfaction  to  the  people  that  in 
1872,  he  received  the  unanimous  nomination  by  his  party  for  the 
same  office.  Notwithstanding  some  opposition  to  him  on  account 
of  his  being  a  young  man^  he  was  triumphantly  elected,  receiving 
a  greater  majority  than  any  man  on  the  ticket.  Again  in  1876  he 
was  renominated  by  acclamation,  and  again  elected  by  a  majority 
greater  than  any  other,  being  three  hundred  votes  ahead  of  his 
ticket,  thus  proving  that  the  people  believe  it  no  crime  to  be  a 
young  man  and  that  faithful  service  should  be  rewarded.  The 
popularity  of  Mr.  Pearson  with  the  people  is  great  indeed,  but 
easily  accounted  for.  He  is  always  pleasant  and  accommodating 
to  all;  every  visitor  to  his  office,  whether  on  business  or  not,  is 
treated  in  a  gentlemanly  manner;  his  own  private  business,  or  the 
duties  of  the  public  office  which  he  holds,  is  never  neglected. 
Having  business  that  brings  him  into  daily  intercourse  with  men 
of  all  parties,  they  have  a  chance  to  learn  the  qualities  of  the  man, 
and  show  their  appreciation  for  him  by  giving  him  their  votes  for 
office.  Many  of  the  strongest  men  of  the  opposition  party  never 
think  of  voting  for  another  when  he  is  a  candidate. 

Mr.  Pearson  is  a  thorough  and  consistent  Republican,  the  princi- 
ples of  that  party  being  "bred  in  the  bone,"  but  he  never  allows 
his  love  of  party  to  deter  him  from  duty  as  a  public  officer.  As  a 
citizen  he  is  ever  ready  to  engage  in  any  good  word  or  work  sat- 
isfactory to  his  judgment,  and  in  all  enterprises  as  are  of  a  public 
benefit  and  calculated  to  advance  the  best  interests  of  the  town  or 
county.  Benevolence  with  him  is  a  ruling  passion,  and  we  find 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  471 

him  connected  with,  and  an  active  member  of,  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  "Workmen,  the  Masons,  and  Odd  Fellows.  In  this  lat- 
ter body  he  has  passed  all  the  chairs,  both  in  the  Subordinate 
Lodge  and  Encampment,  having  also  represented  the  lodge  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Pearson  is  a  man  five  feet  eleven  inches  and  a  half  in 
height,  dark  hair,  brown  eyes,  and  of  good  proportions  physically. 
No  man  in  the  county  has  a  larger  circle  ot  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances, and  none  are  more  greatly  esteemed.  Through  his  own 
exertion,  without  assistance  from  any,  he  has  accumulated  a  fair 
share  of  this  world's  goods,  which  will  doubtless  be  used  for  the 
good  of  the  public  as  well  as  his  own  individual  profit.  A  bright 
future  is  doubtless  yet  before  him. 

JOSEPH    E.    PORTER. 

Joseph  E.  Porter,  son  of  Noah  and  Nabby  (Comins)  Porter, 
was  born  in  Wendell,  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  July  9,  1821.  His 
parents  were  born  at  the  same  place  in  1795.  There  were  eleven 
children,  including  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  nine  of  whom 
grew  to  man's  estate.  They  received  their  education  principally 
at  New  Salem  Academy,  New  Salem,  Massachusetts,  whither 
their  father  had  removed  for  the  purpose  of  giving  them  this  ad- 
vantage. One  attended  Harvard  College.  The  father  and  broth- 
ers were  all  highly  respected  and  esteemed  where  they  resided 
and  all  were  honored  with  public  office.  The  oldest  brother  was 
for  fifteen  years  a  Selectman  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  one 
brother  was  a  member  of  the  State  Senate  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  another  has  held  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  for  a  period  ot  twenty-five  years,  and  still 
another  has  been  a  practicing  physician  in  Old  Deerfield,  Massa- 
chusetts, for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years.  Warren,  the  youngest 
of  the  family,  was  a  citizen  of  this  county  for  some  years,  and 
went  into  the  army  and  for  a  time  was  Lieutenant  of  Company  L, 
7th  Illinois  Cavalry.  He  is  now  Superintendent  of  the  graded 
schools  at  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  which  position  he  has  filled  for 
some  years. 

Joseph  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  worked  hard  from  the  time 
he  was  large  enough  to  take  hold  of  the  plow.  His  habits  in 
youth  were  exemplary,  moral,  upright  and  straightforward.  He 
remained  with  his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority,  shortly 
after  which  period  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Miss  Susan  M. 


472  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Cogswell,  and  left  the  parental  roof  and  hired  out  to  work  on  a 
farm.  He  worked  eight  months  for  one  man  for  $14  per  month, 
and  during  that  time  lost  but  half  a  day,  on  which  occasion  he 
took  his  wife  to  town,  and  his  employer  charged  him  seventy-five 
cents  for  the  use  of  the  horse.  "While  working  for  these  wages  he 
paid  $3  for  a  church  pew  and  ten  cents  each  Sunday  for  the  privi- 
lege of  sending  his  wife  to  church,  besides  keeping  up  the  ordi- 
nary expenses  of  his  family,  notwithstanding  which  he  managed 
to  save  $100  a  year  out  of  his  earnings. 

Mr.  Porter  has  been  farming  all  his  life,  with  the*  exception  of 
one  year,  when  he  wTas  engaged  in  the  bakery  business,  at  Fram- 
ingham,  Mass.  He  invested  $1,000  in  the  business,  all  of  which 
was  lost. 

In  1855  Mr.  Porter  came  to  Illinois  with  his  father  on  a  visit  to 
his  brothers,  Lyman  and  Reuben,  who  were  living  in  this  county. 
While  here  his  father  died ;  his  remains  were  taken  back  to  Massa- 
chusetts. In  the  spring  of  1856  Mr.  Porter  removed  to  this  county, 
locating  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  section  4,  New 
Salem  township.  At  that  time  it  was  raw,  wild  prairie,  now  it  is 
one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county,  containing  four  hundred 
acres  of  well  cultivated  land,  with  good  improvements  thereon. 
He  is  one  of  McDonough's  heavy  stock  feeders,  engaging  in  this 
business  very  extensively. 

Mr.  Porter  has  been  three  times  elected,  and  for  three  years 
served  in  the  McDonough  county  Board  of  Supervisor  from  New 
Salem  township,  and  for  fifteen  years  has  been  School  Trustee  of 
the  same  township,  most  of  the  time  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  He  has  always  manifested  due  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
his  township,  especially  in  the  educational  department,  and  the 
good  schools  in  the  community  are  in  a  great  measure  the  result 
of  his  labor  and  attention  in  that  behalf. 

In  1845  Mr.  Porter  became  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  at  Framingham,  Mass.,  being  baptised  by  the  Rev.  Q.  K". 
Tarbox.  His  wife  united  at  the  same  time.  In  1856  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  Bardolph,  and  in  1867  united 
with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Macomb,  and  is  now  a  com- 
municant in  the  latter  church. 

Mr.  Porter  is  the  father  of  five  children,  two  sons  and  three 
daughters,  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  other  two  having 


HISTORY   OF   M'DOXOUGH    COUNTY.  473 

been  translated  beyond  the  rolling  river,  where  they  await  the  re- 
union of  all  the  loved  ones  in  the  beautiful  home  of  the  blessed. 

A  son,  Lester  W.,  was  killed  in  battle  at  Memphis,  Tenn., 
August  21,  1864,  during  the  rebel  General  Forrest's  raid  on  that 
city.  He  was  in  Company  I,  137th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers. 

Mr.  Porter  is  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  and  a  stout, 
well  built  man,  and  usually  in  the  enjoyment  of  perfect  health. 
In  his  neighborhood  and  wherever  known,  he  enjoys  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  all.  In  the  family  circle  he  is  pleasant  and 
agreeable,  receiving  the  love  and  affection1  of  every  member 
thereof.  It  is  hoped  he  may  be  spared  many  years  to  fill  useful 
positions  in  society. 

HON.    WILLIAM  H.    RANDOLPH. 

David  and  Rebecca  (Sutphen)  Randolph,  the  parents  of  William 
H.,  were  natives  of  the  State  of  Xew  Jersey,  which  place  they 
left  at  an  early  day,  removing  to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  where 
they  remained  but  a  short  time,  emigrating  from  thence  to  Warren 
county,  Ohio,  where  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  was  born  on 
the  twentieth  day  of  August,  1813,  near  the  town  of  Lebanon. 
They  were,  as  regards  wealth,  in  moderate  circumstances,  but  de- 
sired to  give  their  son  such  opportunities  for  future  usefulness  as 
their  means  would  allow,  having  him  educated  for  one  of  the  learned 
professions,  but  it  was  willed  otherwise.  The  early  years  of 
his  life  were  spent  with  his  parents  on  a  farm,  and  in  attendance 
on  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  In  youth  were  fore- 
shadowed the  traits  of  character  which  afterward  predominated 
in  his  life;  he  was  brave,  impulsive,  kind  and  forbearing;  a  defender 
of  the  weak  and  oppressed. 

When  about  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  learn 
the  trade  of  a  fuller,  or  manufacturer  of  woolen  goods,  continuing 
with  the  firm  until  he  reached  his  majority,  when  he  determined 
to  seek  other  and  greater  fields  of  labor,  and  came  to  Rushville, 
Schuyler  county,  in  this  State,  where  he  remained  a  few  months, 
and  from  thence  came  to  Macomb,  in  this  county,  where  he  re- 
sided until  the  day  of  his  death.  As  has  been  remarked,  his  par- 
ents desired  that  he  should  prepare  himself  for  one  of  the  learned 
professions,  for  that  purpose  having  him  take  a  regular  collegiate 
course,  but  William  thought  a  trade  preferable,  and  therefore 
learned  one  as  previously  stated.  When  he  arrived  in  Macomb 
he  had  between  three  hundred  and  four  hundred  dollars  which  he 


474  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

invested  in  a  small  stock  of  groceries.  Continuing  in  that  branch 
of  business  until  elected  to  the  office  of  sheriff  of  the  county,  in 
1838,  to  which  office  he  was  twice  re-elected,  viz.,  in  1840  and  1842. 
In  1844  he  was  elected  as  a  member  ot  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  Illinois  Legislature,  and  re-elected  in  1846.  In  1848 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk  of  the  county  'and  re- 
elected  in  18.52,  serving  until  1856.  Thus  for  eighteen  years  with- 
out intermission,  he  held  public  offices  in  the  county,  on  each  oc- 
casion of  his  election  running  ahead  of  his  ticket,  being  always 
popular  before  the  people.  He  was  never  beaten  for  office. 

In  1854,  in  company  with  Joseph  M.  Parkinson,  Joseph  "W. 
Blount  and  M.  T.  Winslow,  he  opened  the  first  banking  house  in 
McDonough  County.  For  two  years,  or  over,  this  institution  pros- 
pered greatly,  but  in  an  evil  hour,  the  company  was  persuaded 
into  an  arrangement  with  T.  L.  McCoy,  of  Galesburg,  by  which 
they  invested  some  $20,000  in  the  Nemaha  Valley  Bank,  issuing  a 
certain  per  cent,  of  the  amount  in  notes,  for  which  part  only  they 
were  to  be  held  responsible,  the  arrangement  being  that  any  bank- 
ing institution  investing  in  the  enterprise  should  be  compelled  to 
redeem  only  its  own  issus;  but  a  further  arrangement  was  made 
with  the  different  parties'  that  all  notes  presented  at  either  of  their 
banking  houses,  whether  of  the  series  issued  by  themselves  or  not, 
might  be  redeemed  and  sent  to  their  respective  banks  for  final  re- 
demption. When  the  crash  came  in  1858,  when  the  Nemaha  Val- 
ley Bank  bubble  burst,  Messrs.  Randolph  &  Co.  redeemed  their 
whole  issue,  and  over  $5000  of  the  notes  of  other  parties,  for  which 
they  never  obtained  value  received.  This  firm  would  not  suspend 
until  they  found  it  was  utterly  impossible  ever  to  recover  from  the 
other  parties,  and  then,  and  not  until  then,  did  they  close  their 
doors.  The  loss  of  Mr.  Randolph  alone,  by  reason  of  the  failui-e 
of  others  to  make  good  their -promises,  was  over  $100,000.  To  his 
honor  be  it  said,  not  a  man  ever  lost  a  dollar  by  him.  Unlike 
many  others,  he  did  not  compromise  with  his  creditors  for  a  few 
cents  on  the  dollar  and  then  open  out  in  grander  style  than  ever, 
but  continued,  as  fast  as  it  was  possible,  to  pay  off  his  indebted- 
ness, and  when  death  called  him  away  he  was  almost  clear  before 
the  world.  One  year  more  would  probably  have  placed  him  in  the 
same  position  he  occupied  before  the  crash  came. 

Mr.  Randolph  was  a  man  of  great  public  spirit,  and  his  means 
were  used  not  only  to  increase  his  own  wealth  but  for  the  public 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  475 

good.  In  1856  he  began  the  erection  of  the  well  known  Randolph 
Hotel  and  finished  it  in  the  following  year.  This  stands  to-day  a 
monument  of  the  public  enterprise  of  the  man.  As  a  pecuniary 
investment  it  has  never  paid  nor  ever  can.  It  stands  an  honor  to 
the  city  and  as  a  free  will  offering  to  the  pride  of  the  people. 

During  this  same  year  in  which  the  erection  of  the  hotel  was 
began,  he  laid  off  for  a  public  cemetery  a  tract  of  land  just  north 
of  the  city,  comprising  eleven  acres,  which  he  christened  Oakwood 
Cemetery.  For  years  the  town  had  felt  the  want  for  a  suitable 
place  for  the  burial  of  the  dead.  The  old  cemetery,  west  of  town, 
was  too  small  and  very  inconvenient  to  the  citizens  of  the  place, 
and  with  his  accustomed  liberality  and  public  spirit,  Mr.  Randolph 
selected  the  prettiest  and  most  eligible  spot  adjoining  the  town  for 
this  "  City  of  the  Dead." 

On  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  January,  1837,  he  led  to  the  marriage 
altar  Miss  Matilda  Jane  Brooking,  daughter  of  the  well  known 
and  much  respected  old  pioneer,  Thomas  Brooking,  Esq.,  with 
whom  he  happily  lived  until  the  day  of  his  death.  It  has  been 
said  by  those  who  have  been  intimate  with  the  couple,  and  who 
were  members  of  the  family  for  some  years,  they  never  heard  a 
harsh  word  pass  between  them.  The  troubles  Mr.  R.  experienced 
during  his  eventful  life  were  never  suffered  to  mar  the  happiness 
of  the  family  circle,  and  when  together,  all  cares,  trials  and  disap- 
pointments were  banished,  and  they  lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
hour.  Xo  children  ever  blessed  their  union. 

In  1853  Mr.  Randolph  engaged  im  the  real  estate  business,  in 
company  with  J.  M.  Parkinson,  under  the  firm  name  of  Randolph, 
Parkinson  &  Co.,  continuing  the  same  until  November  3,  1856, 
when  the  firm  disposed  of  their  interests  to  McLean,  Randolph  & 
Co.  The  operations  of  this  company  were  confined  to  the  region 
known  as  the  Military  Tract,  comprising  some  sixteen  counties, 
lying  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and,  for  a  time, 
were  very  extensive.  Several  very  fortunate  ventures  were  made, 
in  which  were  realized  a  handsome  sum  of  money,  adding  materi- 
ally to  the  wealth  of  Mr.  R.  Having  an  extensive  acquaintance 
throughout  the  section,  and  knowing  well  the  geography  and 
topograhy  of  the  country,  he  was  always  qualified  to  judge  of  the 
amount  of  risk  that  could  be  taken.  In  this  work  he  unearthed 
several  huge  frauds  that  had  been  perpetrated  upon  the  people, 
and  restored  to  the  proper  persons  their  rights. 


476  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

In  1858  he  took  charge  of  the  Randolph  Hotel,  having  failed 
in  securing  a  suitable  tenant,  and  continued  in  charge  until  the 
day  of  his  death,  although  the  duties  of  a  landlord  were  rather 
onerous,  on  account  of  the  vast  amount  of  other  business  to  which 
it  was  necessary  that  he  should  give  his  personal  attention.  Not- 
withstanding the  great  amount  of  labor  devolving  upon  him,  no 
guest,  observing  the  proprieties  of  a  gentleman,  ever  had  reason 
to  complain  of  the  want  of  attention. 

In  politics  Mr.  Randolph  was  always  radical.  ISTo  one  ever 
doubted  his  position  upon  any  of  the  great  questions  of  the  day. 
In  his  early  life  he  affiliated  with  the  "Whig  party,  and  the  meas- 
ures of  that  party  received  his  undivided  support.  As  a  Whig 
he  was  elected  to  the  various  county  offices  which  he  held.  On 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  1854,  he  at  once  em- 
braced the  principles  proclaimed  by  its  leaders.  "Free  press,  free 
speech  and  freedom,"  had  ever  been  with  him  a  leading  thought, 
and  he  entered  heartily  and  zealously  into  the  work  of  moulding 
public  opinion  for  the  adoption  of  the  new  principles.  The  cry 
of  "Abolitionist,"  "negro  worshiper,"  and  kindred  phrases,  had  no 
effect  upon  him.  Believing  in  the  right  of  the  cause  which  he 
advocated,  he  defied  all  the  powers  of  the  opposition,  and  their 
jeers  served  but  to  nerve  him  for  the  great  conflict  of  opinion 
then  existing  and  the  conflict  of  arms  soon  to  resound  through- 
out the  land.  His  business  affairs  on  the  organization  of  the 
party  were  such  as  to  prevent  him  from  taking  the  more  active 
part  to  which  his  ardent  nature  prompted  him,  but  notwithstand- 
ing, the  success  obtained  in  after  years  was  greatly  the  result  of 
his  labors. 

In  the  presidential  campaign  of  1856,  notwithstanding  his  party 
was  greatly  in  the  minority,  he  labored  hard,  and  in  1860,  when 
the  noble  martyr,  Abraham  Lincoln,  was  at  the  head  of  the  ticket, 
when  victory  was  assured  from  the  division  in  the  ranks  of  the 
opposition,  he  ceased  not  to  labor  until  the  announcement  was 
made  that  the  favorite  son  of  Illinois  should  be  the  nation's  chief 
for  the  term  of  four  years  ;  and  even  not  then,  but  toiled  on  and 
on  until,  like  his  honored  chief,  he  suffered  a  martyr's  death, 
yielding  up  his  life  in  the  defense  of  his  country. 

The  days  that  followed  the  election  of  Lincoln,  the  evil  passions 
engendered,  the  war  that  followed  in  which  our  glorious  country 
was  deluged  in  blood,  the  widows  and  orphans  made,  the  hearts 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  477 

broken,  are  now  a  record  of  history  and  well  known  to  our  read- 
ers. The  individual  part  taken  by  thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands may  never  be  known.  When,  in  their  madness,  the  South 
rebelled,  and  the  call  to  arms  was  made  by  the  President,  the  pri- 
vate business  of  Mr.  Randolph  was  such  he  could  not,  without  too 
great  personal  sacrifice,  go  forth  to  the  tented  Held,  as  he  in  his 
heart  desired  ;  but  no  man  labored  more  to  secure  enlistments, 
none  of  their  private  means  expended  more  to  further  the  cause 
than  he.  The  soldier  going  to  or  from  the  field  was  an  ever  wel- 
come guest  at  his  house,  and  if  they  were  possessed  of  no  means 
to  pay  their  bills,  it  mattered  not.  Whole  companies  were  at 
times  lodged  and  fed  by  him  without  a  cent  being  paid.  Many 
of  the  brave  boys  will  ever  hold  in  grateful  remembrance  the 
deeds  of  kindness  of  this  man. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  June,  1863,  without  solicitation  or  pre- 
vious notification,  he  received  the  appointment  of  Deputy 
Provost  Marshall  for  the  district  of  McDonough  county,  and  on 
the  twenty-eighth  of  September,  1864,  he  was  re-appointed.  His 
friends  all  advised  him  not  to  accept  the  appointment,  as  the  du- 
ties required  were  dangerous  to  perform,  and  there  being  those  in 
the  county  who  were  his  deadly  and  sworn  enemies,  they  might 
seek  a  pretext  to  take  his  life.  The  very  reasons  urged  for  non- 
acceptance  were  such  as  to  determine  him  not  to  decline  the 
appointment;  he  would  do  nothing  that  would  show  even  a  sem- 
blance of  fear.  It  was  his  desire  to  serve  his  government,  and  he 
believed  it  was  his  duty  to  do  so,  and  the  opportunity  was  here 
offered;  the  duties  were  such  as  to  require  a  man  of  nerve,  and  he 
would  not  flinch.  His  first  duty  was  to  make  an  enrollment  of 
the  militia,  reporting  the  names  to  the  Provost  Marshall  at  Mt. 
Sterling.  At  this  time  McDonough  county  was  short  in  the 
quota,  and  a  draft  was  ordered  ;  and  upon  a  certain  day  the  num- 
ber deficient  was  drawn,  and  among  the  number  was  one  John 
Bond,  of  Hire  township.  Captain  Randolph  at  once  notified  him 
of  the  draft  and  ordered  him  to  report  at  Mt.  Sterling,  which  not 
being  done,  he  proceeded  to  Blandinsville  for  the  purpose  of 
arresting  him.  Here  the  two  met;  a  few  words  passed  between 
them  ;  Bond  endeavored  to  escape,  when  Mr.  R.,  placing  his  hand 
upon  his  shoulder,  told  him  he  was  his  prisoner.  Bond  then  drew 
a  revolver,  and  retreating  a  pace  or  two  fired  at  Randolph  and 
then  fled,  followed  by  Mr.  R.,  who  returned  the  fire.  During  the 


478  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

firing  of  the  first  shots  they  were  in  the  hall  of  the  hotel,  frorai 
which  emerging",  several  more  shots  were  exchanged,  two  of  fhemi 
taking  effect  upon  Mr.  Randolph,  mortally  wounding  him  and 
causing  death  within  twenty-four  hours.  Everything  that  could! 
be  done  by  the  best  medical  talent  in  the  county  was  done  to  save 
his  life,  but  without  avail;  and  thus  passed  from  earth  one  of; 
McDonough  county's  most  honored  sons. 

William  H.  Randolph  was  of  medium  height,  swarthy  complex- 
ion, black  hair  and  eyes,  of  a  very  nervous  temperament,  strong 
and  active.  He  was  of  a  most  positive  character,  loving  his 
friends  with  most  intense  devotion,  and  hating  his  enemies.  He 
could  not  bear  to  hear  a  friend  traduced,  and  would  defend  one  as 
quickly  as  he  would  his  own  honor.  One  whom  he  regarded  as- 
an  enemy  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with;  he  would  never 
provoke  a  quarrel  with  him,  seeking  rather  to  avoid  it,  but  if  it 
should  come  he  never  feared  the  consequences.  Of  course  such  a 
man  would  have  many  strong  friends  and  equally  strong  enemies. 
A  more  benevolent  man  never  lived  than  he,  being  always  a  friend 
to  the  poor,  never  turning  a  deaf  ear  to  their  appeals.  Many  a 
poor  person  in  McDonough  county  blesses  his  memory  to-day  for 
the  assistance  rendered  them  in  their  hour  of  need.  As  before 
remarked,  in  the  family  circle  he  was  kind  and  gentle  in  the  ex- 
treme— what  might  be  termed  a  model  husband. 

JAMES    ROBERTS. 

Althongh  he  may  not  be  what  is  termed  an  "old  settler,"  yet 
the  subject  of  our  present  sketch  is  well  known,  by  reputation 
at  least,  by  nearly  every  citizen  of  the  county.  JTot  to  have 
heard  of  James  Roberts,  or  the  mining  operations  of  himself  and 
brothers,  is  to  confess  ignorance  on  a  point  few  desire  to  acknowl- 
edge. * 

James  Roberts  is  a  native  of  England,  having  been  born  in  the 
county  of  Cornwall  on  the  twentieth  day  of  March,  1820.  His 
parents  were  Hugh  and  Elizabeth  (Mitchell)  Roberts,  likewise 
natives  of  the  Isle  of  the  Sea,  who  were  possessed  of  but  little  of 
this  world's  goods,  and  who  consequently  could  not  give  their 
children  the  advantages  possessed  by  those  in  better  circumstances. 
From  five  until  ten  years  of  age  he  attended  the  schools  of  his 
native  county  and  town,  and  when  arriving  at  the  latter  age  was 
compelled  to  enter  the  mines,  henceforward  to  earn  his  own  living 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOCGH  COUNTY.  479- 

y  the  "sweat  of  his  face."     In  early  life  he  contracted  the  habit 
f  partaking   of  intoxicating   liquors,   a  habit  which   seemed  to- 
row  on  him,  but  happily  he  realized  the  danger  ere  it  was  too 
ate,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  signed  the  temperance  pledge, 
hich  he  has  constantly  observed  to  the  present  time,  a  period  of 
irty-seven  years. 

On  the  seventh  day  of  September,  1846,  he  led  to  the  marriage 
Itar  Miss  Cecilia  Knight,  with  whom  he  yet  lives  and  by  whom 
e  has  had  nine  children,   seven  of  whom   are  now  living,  two 
^having  gone  to  that  better  land. 

el    Believing  the  chances  of  obtaining  a  competency,  or  even  ob- 
aining  a  very  respectable  livelihood  in  his  native  land  to  be  poor, 
e  determined  to  emigrate  to  America,  the  "  Eldorado  "  of  all 
rjjthe  down-trodden  and  oppressed  ot  earth  ;  so  about  the  first  of 
:  May,  1847,  with  his  wife  he  sailed  for  America,  landing  in  Quebec 
i  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  May.     From  this  place  he  passed  on 
.  to  the  copper  mines  of  Lake  Superior,  but  not  fancying  the  em- 
i  ployment  obtained  there,  he  continued  his  journey  to  New  Castle, 
.  Pa.,  where  he  arrived  with  only  fifteen  dollars  in  cash,  and  where 
:a  few  days  after  his  first  child  was  born.     Securing  employment 
in  the  coal  mines  of  Messrs.  Crawford  &  Co.,  he  went  to  work, 
and  for  three  years  continued  with  them  as  a  common  laborer, 
when  the  position  of  underground  boss  of  the  mines  was  offered 
'him  and  gladly  accepted.     For  two  years  and  a  half  longer  he 
continued  with  the  firm  as  its  superintendent,  when  he  thought  to 
better  himself  by  coming  west.     Resigning  the  position  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1853,  he  came  out  and  purchased  a  tract  of 
/one  hundred  and  six  acres  of  land  near  Webster,  Hancock  county. 
I  About  this  time  an  advertisement  was  inserted  in  a  county  paper 
for  an  experienced  miner  to  work  a  coal  mine  near  the  present 
town  of  Colchester,  which  advertisement  he  answered  in  person, 
and  engaged  to  mine  coal  on  the  shares.     This  he  continued  for 
some  time,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  the  Welch  settle- 
ment, and  began  to  mine   for  himself.     When  he  came  w^est,  not 
knowing  where  he  should  settle,  or  how  he  should  like  the  coun- 
try, he  left  his  family  in  New  Castle  :  in  November  following  he  sent 
fcr  them,  they  arriving  the   same  month.     In  the  meantime  he 
rented  an  old  log  house  situated  near  the  Pleasant  Valley  Mills, 
in  which  he  moved  with  his  family  when  they  arrived.     This 
house  was  in  very  poor  condition,  the  snow  drifting  through  the 
cracks  and  the  rain  pouring  in  on  them  as  though  the  building 


480  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

had  no  covering.  Many  a  time  were  the  family  compelled  to  take 
shelter  under  a  large  iimbrella  brought  with  them  from  England. 
Their  first  winter  in  this  new  country  was  indeed  hard,  but  their 
experience  was  only  such  as  had  been .the  lot  of  hundreds  before 
them,  and  served  to  strengthen  them  for  the  trials  and  duties  of 
after  life. 

It  did  not  take  Mr.  Roberts  long  to  discover  'the  vast  treasure1 
that  lay  beneath  his  feet,  and  from  the  first  he  began  to  organize 
for  future  operations;  and  by  the  time  the  railroad  was  completed, 
he  was  ready  to  engage  in  the  business  of  mining  on  an  extensive 
scale.  In  company  with  his  brother,  Hugh,  and  also,  at  various 
times,  with  Messrs.  Morris,  Spencer  and  others,  he  opened  new- 
veins,  sunk  new  shafts,  and  labored  hard  to  develop  the  wonderful 
resources  of  the  country.  For  the  first  four  or  five  years  only  drift 
coal  was  taken  out,  and  hauled  in  wagons  to  the  railroad  for  ship- 
ment. In  1858  the  first  shaft  was  sunk  by  him,  as  superintendent 
of  the  mines  of  Roberts  &  Co.,  since  which  time  several  others 
have  also  been  made,  and  now  we  have  some  eight  or  ten,  with 
over  two  hundred  persons  engaged  in  taking  coal  from  the  bowels 
of  the  earth,  at  least  one  hundred  feet  from  its  surface.  All  this 
is  due  to  James  Roberts  more  than  to  any  other  man.  "With  in- 
domitable pldck  and  energy,  without  capital  to  begin  life,  he  has 
labored  on,  evercoming  obstacles  that  would  have  prevented 
others  with  less  courage  and  perseverance  from  accomplishing 
their  desire.  Success  has  crowned  his  every  effort,  and  to-day  he 
is  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  sufficient  amount  of  this  world's  goods 
to  live  in  ease  should  he  never  do  another  day's  work.  But  idle- 
ness is  not  characteristic  with  him;  he  could  not  be  idle  if  he 
would;  it  is  not  his  nature,  so  we  find  him  to-day  engaged  as  ac- 
tively as  ever  in  his  raining  operations,  being  the  president  and 
superintendent  of  the  Colchester  Coal  Company.  We  presume 
he  will  so  live  and  so  die — he  will  never  rust  out.  A  large  family 
has  grown  up  around  him,  whom  he  has  endeavored  to  raise  for 
usefulness  in  life.  We  find  composing  the  company  of  which  he 
is  president  three  sons,  two  of  whom  live  in  Quincy  and  have 
charge  of  its  interests  in  that  city,  one  remaining  in  charge  of  the 
shaft  in  the  mines.  Each  of  these  we  believe  to  be  industrious 
young  men,  who  now  enjoy  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who 
know  them. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUOH  COUNTY  481 

At  an  early  age  Mr.  Koberts  experienced  religion,  uniting  with 
the  "Wesleyan  Methodists.  He  has  since  been  conDected  with  the 
Primitive  Methodists,  Bible  Christians  (another  branch  of  the 
Methodist  family),  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  the  changes 
being  made  by  reason  of  removals  and  not  with  desire  to  seek 
something  new  or  better.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Colchester,  occupying  the  position  of  trus- 
tee, and  is  a  pillar  in  that  church.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  having  in  charge  the  erection  of  their  house 
of  worship  at  that  place. 

Mr.  Roberts  is  a  man  of  medium  height,  light  complexion,  dark 
hair,  and,  as  before  remarked,  a  man  of  determination  and  strong 
will.  In  business  matters  he  requires  exactness.  As  a  citizen  he 
is  respected  for  his  love  of  justice,  as  a  Christian  he  is  God-fear- 
ing, as  a  husband  and  lather  kind,  gentle  and  affectionate,  yet 
firm  in  his  government  and  discipline.  Such  in  brief  is  James 
Roberts,  who,  from  a  very  humble  beginning,  has  fought  his  way 
through  life  until  he  now  occupies  a  good  position  in  society  and 
enjoys  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  toil. 


482  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES     CONTINUED. 
CAPTAIN    JAMES    W.    FEE. 

James  W.  Fee,  postmaster  at  Blandinsville,  111.,  was  born  in] 
Clermont  county,  Ohio,  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  August,  1826, 
and  came  to  this  State  in  1848,  settling  in  Pike  county,  where  he 
remained  seven  years,  when  he  crossed  the  Mississippi,  takicg  up 
bis  residence  in  Missouri,  from  which  place  he  returned  to  Pike 
county,  111.,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  enlisting  in  August, 
1862,  and  mustered  in  the  United  States  service  as  First  Lieuten- 
ant, Co.  B,  99th  regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers.  With  this  regi- 
ment he  continued,  first  as  Lieutenant,  then  as  Captain,  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  July  31, 1865.  The  regiment 
did  most  excellent  service  during  the  whole  period,  participating 
in  quite  a  number  ot  battles  and  skirmishes,  and  in  the  memora- 
ble seige  of  Vicksburg,  losing  253  men.  In  one  assault  in  which 
300  men  were  engaged,  103  of  the  number  were  either  killed  or 
wounded.  Captain  Fee  during  his  whole  period  of  service  never 
had  a  leave  of  absence  and  continued  with  his  command  until  its 
final  muster  out,  not  losing  even  a  day's  time  by  sickness.  When 
the  regiment  was  consolidated  into  abatallion  he  was  the  only  offi- 
cer retaining  his  rank  and  letter  of  the  company.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  service  Captain  Fee  returned  to  Pike  county, 
where  he  remained  some  eighteen  months,  going  from  there  to 
Oquawka,  Henderson  county,  where  he  remained  until  1874,  when 
he  removed  to  Blandinsville,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  re- 
side. A  short  time  after  his  removal  to  the  village  he  received 
the  appointment  of  Postmaster,  the  only  public  office  he  ever  held. 

The  parents  of  Captain  Fee,  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Hastings)  Fee? 
were  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  faith  of  the  blessed 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  483 

hope  of  the  gospel,  being  devout  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
of  which  body  their  son  united  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen,  remain- 
Ing  in  its  connection  some  seven  or  eight  years.  At  this  time,  by 
a  careful  study  of  the  Word,  his  religious  convictions  underwent 
a  change  in  some  of  the  points  of  doctrine,  and  he  sought  mem- 
bership in  the  Baptist  church. 

With  this  branch  of  God's  family  he  yet  retains  membership, 
and  has  labored  in  word  and  doctrine  for  the  advancement  of  the 
cause  for  many  years.  In  1860  he  was  ordained  as  a  minister  of 
the  gospel  in  Missouri,  since  which  time  he  has  continued  occa- 
sionally to  preach,  but  never  giving  himself  wholly  to  the  work, 
and  never  depending  upon  it  for  the  means  of  subsistence..  Since 
reaching  man's  estate,  he  has  continually  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile trade,  save  for  the  period  while  employed  in  the  military  ser- 
vice of  his  country.  In  this  way  he  has  lived,  devoting  such  time 
as  he  could  command,  or  as  he  conceived  he  could  accomplish  good 
by  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel.  He  has  served  as  pastor  for 
several  congregations  and  also  as  supply.  He  is  now  connected 
with  the  congregation  at  Blandinsville,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Salem  Association,  of  which  body  he  has  been  treasurer  for  two 
years. 

In  youth  Captain  Fee  gave  promise  of  the  same  traits  of  char- 
acter that  have  distinguished  him  in  latter  life.  He  was  a  good, 
steady  boy,  and  no  one  was  afraid  to  trust  him  on  any  occasion  or 
in  any  way.  During  the  whole  period  of  his  life  he  has  never 
taken  a  drink  of  whisky,  notwithstanding  he  has  been  thrown 
much  in  the  company  of  those  who  have  indulged  in  the  practice. 

In  October,  1852,  he  led  to  the  marriage  altar  Miss  Lucy  M. 
Parks,  daughter  of  Rev.  K.  Parks,  with  whom  he  has  lived  a 
happy  and  pleasant  life  to  the  present  time.  Xo  children  have 
blessed  their  union. 

Captain  Fee  is  a  large,  robust  looking  man,  with  the  appear- 
ance of  being  able  to  enjoy  life  as  well  as  another.  In  every  good 
word  and  work  we  find  him  actively  engaged.  His  labors  are  not 
confined  alone  to  "our  church,"  and  in  charity  he  holds  out  the 
hand  to  the  needy  on  every  side.  We  believe  there  is  little  of 
that  selfish  nature  in  his  being  ;  that  he  is  willing  "to  do  good  as 
he  may  have  opportunity,  especially  to  the  household  of  faith.'r 
He  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  know  him. 


484 


HARVEY   L.    ROSS. 


The  subject  of  our  present 'sketch  was  born  in  Seneca  county, 
New  York,  on  the  tenth  day  of  October,  1817,  and  when  but  four 
years  of  age  came  with  his  father,  O.  M.  Ross,  to  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, settling  in  what  is  now  known  as  Fulton  county,  at  that 
time  being  a  part  of  Pike  county.  Fulton  county  was  organized 
some  two  years  after.  Its  boundary  line  extended  east  and  west 
from  the  Illinois  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  from  the  base  line 
near  where  Rushville  now  stands  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
State,  including  the  country  where  Rock  Island,  Galena,  Chicago 
and  Peoria  now  stand.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  moved  upon  the  land  secured  by  service  in  that  war, 
lying  north  of  the  present  town  of  Lewistown,  which  town  was 
laid  off  by  him  the  following  year  after  his  arrival,  viz. :  in  1822. 
He  was  the  first  sheriff  of  the  county  elected  by  the  people  ;  was 
the  first  postmaster  in  the  county ;  raised  the  first  ten  acres  of 
corn,  and  the  first  crop  of  wheat  and  rye.  The  only  settlements 
within  the  boundary  of  the  county  at  this  time  were  one  near  the 
present  town  of  Rushville,  Lewistown,  Canton,  Chicago  and  Fort 
Clark,  now  Peoria,  Lewistown  being  the  county  seat  and  the  larg- 
est town  in  the  county,  and  the  only  place  where  elections  were 
held.  When  his  father  was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county,  in  1823, 
the  excitement  ran  high,  being  a  contest  between  North  and 
South  Fulton.  The  voters  at  that  time  came  from  Fort  Clark 
down  the  Illinois  river,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles,  in  canoes  ;  then 
up  Spoon  river  ten  miles ;  then  on  foot  through  the  woods  six 
miles  to  Lewistowu  to  deposit  their  ballots,  bringing  their 
whisky  with  them,  without  which  it  was  thought  impossible  to 
travel  or  to  properly  exercise  the  rights  of  American  citizens. 
Many  of  those  from  the  south  part  of  the  county  came  a  distance 
of  thirty  miles. 

The  elder  Ross  carried  on  farming,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Lewistown  up  to  the  year  1829,  at  which 
time  he  removed  to  where  the  present  town  of  Havana  is,  now 
the  county  seat  of  Mason  county.  The  land  on  which  the  town 
now  lies  was  entered  by  him  and  by  him  laid  off  for  the  town. 
Here  he  built  a  large  hotel,  and  also  owned  the  first  ferry  run 
across  the  river  at  that  place.  He  also  carried  on  a  large  whole- 
sale and  retail  mercantile  business,  and  had  an  extensive  trade 
with  the  Indians.  He  died  at  this  point  in  1837,  his  loss  being 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  485 

deeply  felt  and  regretted  by  every  one.  The  following  year  (1838) 
the  widow,  with  the  family,  moved  to  Canton,  in  Fulton  county. 

In  1839,  Harvey  L.,  of  whom  we  now  write,  returned  to  Ha- 
vana and  took  charge  of  the  old  homestead,  continuing  the  hotel 
and  ferry  business,  which  his  father  had  established,  and  engaged 
extensively  in  other  lines  of  trade.  We  find  him  at  one  time,  in 
addition  to  carrying  on  a  livery  stable,  running  a  stage  route  from 
Springfield  to  Lewistown,  making  three  trips  each  week,  keeping  a 
wood-yard  for  the  accommodation  of  steamboats,  a  warehouse  in 
Havana,  and  two  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  for  the  storage 
of  goods  and  produce,  carrying  on  a  large  farm,  acting  as  post- 
master, all  of  which  he  superintended  himself. 

In  the  spring  of  1880,  Mr.  Ross  had  the  pleasure  of  riding  upon 
the  first  steamboat  that  ever  ran  upon  the  Illinois  river  as  far 
as  Havana.  This  boat,  the  Liberty,  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Sam.  Bailey,  well  known  to  all  pioneers. 

When  fifteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Ross  was  employed  to  carry  the 
mail  from  Springfield  to  Monmouth,  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  miles,  making  a  trip  each  week.  He  would  often 
have  to  swim  streams  three  or  four  times  each  day,  with  the  mail 
bags  strapped  across  his  shoulders.  At  that  time  there  was  no 
direct  road  between  Knoxville  and  Monmouth,  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles,  and  not  a  single  house  between  the  two  points.  His  only 
guide  along  the  route  was  points  of  timber.  He  tells  us  that  he 
still  has  a  vivid  recollection  of  his  hair  gently  raising  one  stormy 
night  in  January,  when  in  the  vicinity  ot  the  present  town  of 
Galesburg,  on  hearing  a  pack  of  hungry  wolves  set  up  a  tremen- 
dous howling  a  few  rods  behind  him.  He  lost  no  time  in  reaching 
the  end  of  his  journey,  The  only  postoffices  on  the  route  were 
Springfield,  Sangamon  Town,  jNVw  Salem,  Havana,  Lewistown, 
Canton,  Farmington,  Knoxville  and  Monmouth.  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, our  martyr  president,  was  then  postmaster  at  iN'ew  Salem, 
receiving  his  appointment  on  the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Ross' 
father,  who  was  one  ot  the  oldest  postmasters  in  the  country,  and 
the  only  postmaster  at  that  time  within  the  boundaries  of  the 
present  county  of  Mason.  After  carrying  the  mail  for  a  length 
of  time  over  that  long,  dangerous  and  desolate  route,  his  father 
let  out  a  part  of  it  to  an  uncle  of  Harvey,  Malon  Winans,  the 
part  let  being  from  Lewistown  to  Monmouth.  Winans  had  a  son 
that  he  intended  to  put  upon  the  route,  but  concluded  to  go  over 
H— 31 


486  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

it  himself  that  he  might  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for 
stopping  places.  But  his  first  trip  was  his  last,  for  in  attempting 
to  swim  Spoon  river,  with  the  mail  bags  strapped  to  his  back,  he 
was  drowned.  His  body  was  afterwards  found  in  a  drift  of  wood 
one-half  mile  below  the  crossing.  A  coffin  was  made  of  rough 
boards  and  the  body  buried  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  near  the 
present  town  of  Maquon. 

Mr.  Ross,  in  his  youthful  days,  was  very  fond  of  hunting  and 
trading  with  the  Indians.  When  but  seven  years  of  age  he  had 
killed  wild  turkeys,  geese,  and  small  game  of  almost  every  kind, 
and  at  twelve  thought  nothing  of  killing  a  fine  deer.  He  says  he 
also  remembers  catching  twelve  wolves  in  less  than  a  month  in 
steel  traps,  placed  near  a  dead  horse.  He  relates  some  incidents 
of  the  first  trading  expedition  in  which  he  was  engaged,  which 
occurred  in  1828.  He  started  from  Lewistown  in  company  with  Ed- 
ward Flude,  a  Frenchman  and  Indian  interpreter,  and  "Bill"'  Eve- 
ling,  a  large  powerful  man,  in  the  employ  of  his  father.  This 
Eveling  was  a  son  of  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  the  county, 
was  well  acquainted  with  the  country  and  familiar  with  the  In- 
dian character.  They  loaded  a  two-horse  wagon,  at  Lewistown, 
with  Indian  goods  and  traveled  through  what  is  now  known  as 
Peoria  and  Knox  counties,  where  they  found  plenty  of  Indians, 
and  traded  their  goods  to  a  good  advantage,  returning  home  with 
their  wagons  loaded  with  furs  and  deer  skins.  They  were  gone 
three  weeks,  and  had  traveled  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
only  meeting  with  two  white  settlers  after  leaving  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Canton. 

In  .speaking  of  Indians  Mr.  Ross  tells  us  he  cannot  remember 
of  ever  being  frightened  by  the  Indians  but  once.  In  1825,  when 
but  eight  years  of  age,  his  father  sent  him  to  an  old  shoemaker 
by  name  of  Stephen  Meeker,  living  about  four  miles  east  of 
Lewistown,  to  have  some  work  done.  In  coming  home  with  a 
sack  of  shoes  across  his  horse,  and  when  he  had  traveled  about 
half  the  distance  along  the  little  path  through  heavy  timber  and 
thick  underbrush,  he  came  suddenly  upon  five  or  six  red  skins 
who  were  sitting  upon  the  ground.  One  of  the  Indians  jumping 
up,  made  a  grab  at  his  bridle  reins,  but  young  Ross  turned  his 
horse  quickly  around;  and  giving  him  a  cut  with  his  whip,  hur- 
ried back  to  Meeker's  and  related  his  story.  Meeker  at  once  took 
down  his  rifle,  loaded  it,  and  cutting  a  hickory  club,  went  back 


487 

with  him.  When  the  Indians  saw  Meeker  with  his  rifle  and  club, 
they  commenced  to  apologize,  stating  that  they  were  not  going  to 
hurt  the  boy.  They  had  been  to  Lewistown  to  trade,  and  had 
been  drinking,  and  probably  only  desired  to  see  what  was  in  the 
sack  and  scare  the  boy. 

The  early  recollections  of  Mr.  Ross  are  many  indeed,  and  his 

experience  in  pioneer  life  was  probably  greater  than  any  man  now 

living  among  us.     He  remembers  of  partaking  of  a  piece  of  fat 

bear  killed  by  Andrew  Laswell  near  the  present  town  of  Cuba, 

,  Fulton  county.     This  was  in  the  spring  of  1829. 

The  first  wheat  raised  in  Fulton  county  was  in  1823,  and  had 
to  be  cut  with  a  sickle  or  reaping-hook  and  thrashed  with  the 
flail,  winnowed  with  a  sheet,  ground  in  a  horse-mill,  and  bolted 
with  a  hand  bolt.  The  truck  wagon  was  the  principal  one  used 
in  the  first  settlement.  He  has  known  them  to  do  good  service 
for  several  years  on  a  farm,  and  there  was  not  a  pound  of  iron 
nor  a  nail  used  in  building  them.  All  lumber  used  at  this  time 
was  sawed  with  the  whipsaw  run  by  a  couple  of  men. 

Mr.  Ross  was  at  the  first  Fourth  of  July  celebration  ever  held 
in  Fulton  county,  which  was  in  1823.  His  father  delivered  the 
oration  and  Captain  David  W.  Barnes,  the  father  of  Major  Barnes 
of  Bushnell,  acted  as  marshal  of  the  day.  In  the  evening,  after 
the  celebration  was  over,  the  Indians  held  a  war  dance  on  the 
same  ground. 

People  in  this  country  often  complain  of  the  scarcity  of  pro- 
visions, but  Mr.  Ross  can  remember  when  the  only  bread  they 
had  was  that  made  from  corn  grated  on  a  corn  grater. 

Harvey  L.  Ross  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  R.  Kirk- 
patrick,  of  Canton,  111.,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1840.  By 
her  he  has  had  five  children,  two  daughters  and  three  sons. 

In  1843  Mr.  Ross  moved  to  Vermont,  in  Fulton  county,  where 
he  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  town,  and  began  its 
improvement.  He  kept  adding  to  his  possessions  in  that  neigh- 
borhood from  time  to  time,  until  he  had  three  hundred  acres,  and 
one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the  county,  and  with  an  orchard 
of  a  thousand  apple  trees,  from  which  he  has  gathered,  some  sea- 
sons, as  many  as  ten  thousand  bushels  of  apples. 

While  he  was  improving  and  adding  to  his  possessions  in  Ful- 
ton county,  he  was  not  unmindful  ol  the  rich  prairie  soil  in  Mc- 
Donough,  and  put  in  cultivation  upwards  of  one  thousand  acres 


488 

of  land  in  that  county.  While  farming  has  occupied  the  princi- 
pal part  of  his  time,  yet  he  has  engaged,  from  time  to  time,  in 
other  business.  After  moving  to  Vermont,  he  was  for  fifteen 
years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  buying  and  shipping  grain, 
and  packing  pork.  He  was  also  appointed  agent  and  had  the 
supervision  of  the  Vermont  branch  of  the  Fulton  Bank,  which 
was  located  at  Vermont  in  1859,  and  was  the  first  bank  estab- 
lished in  the  county. 

In  1873,  he  traded  a  portion  of  his  farm  in  Fulton  county  for 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  near  the  city  of  Macomb,  selling  the 
balance  for  twelve  thousand  dollars,  and  then  removed  to  Macomb, 
where  he  yet  resides  and  where  he  will  doubtless  remain  until 
called  to  join  the  glorified  throng  above. 

Mr.  Ross  never  had  the  advantages  of  any  special  education, 
the  only  instruction  ever  received  was  in  a  log  school-house,  with 
puncheon  floor,  mud  chimney,  oiled  paper  window  lights,  and 
split  logs  for  benches.  Realizing  the  difficulties  under  which  he 
has  labored,  without  sufficient  knowledge,  has  caused  him  always 
to  take  a  great  interest  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  no  one  will 
do  more  than  he  will  for  the  improvement  of  our  public  schools. 

Not  only  in  educational  matters  has  he  taken  special  interest, 
but  in  all  matters  tending  to  the  public  good  and  the  general  im- 
provement of  the  countiy.  To  the  first  railroad  built  through 
Fulton  county  he  donated  over  three  thousand  dollars  in  cash, 
besides  giving  the  right  of  way  through  his  farm,  together  with 
the  ground  for  a  depot  at  Vermont.  He  also  acted  as  railroad 
director  for  two  years  while  the  road  was  being  built,  for  which 
service  he  has  never  received  a  dollar  by  way  of  compensation, 
unless  it  has  been  in  cheap  transportatian,  though  he  says  he  is 
not  exactly  clear  on  that  point,  as  he  remembers  having  to  pay 
$1  40  per  hundred  for  freight  from  Chicago  to  Macomb  on  the  C., 
B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  while  he  also  remembers  the  time  when  the  Spring- 
field merchants,  and  others  through  the  country,  were  enabled  for 
a  number  of  years  to  get  their  goods  hauled  about  the  same  dis- 
tance by  ox  teams  at  fifty  cents  a  hundred.  He  also  remembers 
the  time  when  he  was  part  owner  of  a  steamboat  and  ran  on  it  as 
clerk  and  signing  bills  of  lading  carrying  freight  a  much  greater, 
distance  than  from  Chicago  to  Macomb  for  ten  cents  per  hun- 
dred. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  489 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Ross  has  taken  a  great  interest  in 
the  cause  ot  temperance,,  and  relates  the  following  incident  in 
this  connection.  He  had  gone  to  Jacksonville,  this  State,  in  1834, 
to  take  his  oldest  brother  and  sister  who  were  attending  school 
at  tbat  place,  and,  one  evening  while  walking  from  the  college  to 
the  town  with  Richard  Yates  and  some  other  students,  Yates  said 
to  him  :  "  Ross,  are  you  going  to  the  temperance  meeting  to- 
night ?  A  lawyer  from  McDouongh  county  is  to  speak."  He 
answered  he  would  go.  Yates  at  this  time  was  a  student  of  great 
promise  in  the  college  and  was  for  three  years  a  room-mate  of 
Lewis  W.  Ross,  brother  of  Harvey  L.  The  lawyer  from  Mc- 
Donough  that  delivered  the  address  was  no  less  a  personage  than 
Hon.  Cyrus  Walker,  frequently  spoken  of  in  this  work,  and  one 
of  the  best  attorneys  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  At  the  conclusion 
of  the  lecture,  Richard  Yates,  "Bill"  Carlin.  and  a  couple  of  young 
ladies  were  appointed  to  circulate  the  pledge.  The  arguments  of 
Mr.  Walker  were  so  convincing  that  when  Yates,  who  slowly 
made  his  way  through  the  crowded  room,  came  to  Mr.  Ross,  he 
signed  it  without  hesitation  and  has  faithfully  kept  it  to  the  pre- 
sent time. 

But  how  has  it  been  with  poor  uDick"  Yates  and  "Bill"  Carlin, 
the  two  young  students  who  circulated  the  pledge  and  who  grad- 
uated from  the  college  with  high  honors?  Yates,  after  filling 
many  responsible  positions,  among  them  Governor  of  the  great 
State  of  Illinois  and  United  States  Senator,  died  in  a  third-class 
hotel  in  St.  Louis,  away  from  home,  family,  and  friends,  with 
only  a  servant  to  close  his  eyes  in  death  ;  while  Carlin,  who  was  a 
son  of  ex-Governor  Carliu,  and  who  also  filled  a  number  of  offices 
of  honor  and  profit,  died  an  inebriate. 

Mr.  Ross  has  never  indulged  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors, 
though  raised  where  it  was  used  constantly  and  by  all  classes ; 
has  never  taken  a  chew  of  tobacco,  smoked  a  cigar,  or  had  a 
day's  sickness  in  his  life,  and  has  never  found  the  boy  or  man  who 
could  beat  him  running  or  jumping. 

In  1843  Mr.  Ross  made  a  profession  of  religion  and  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  Vermont,  with  which  body  he  re- 
mained in  connection  until  his  removal  to  Macomb.  For  four 
years  previous  to  his  removal  to  the  latter  place,  he  was  a  ruling 
elder  in  the  church  at  Vermont,  and  now  occupies  the  same  posi- 
tion in  the  church  at  Macomb.  He  takes  great  interest  in  the 


490  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Sunday  School  work,  and  is  an  efficient  worker  in  that  useful 
field  of  labor.  He  is  also  a  life  member  of  the  American  Bible 
Society,  and  no  good  word  or  work  but  what  meets  and  secures 
his  hearty  co-operation.  As  a  man,  he  enjoys  the  respect  of  every 
one,  having  few,  if  indeed,  any  enemies.  He  stands  about  five 
feet  eight  inches  in  height,  of  slender  but  well  knit  proportions,, 
and  has  an  excellent  constitution.  He  is  a  man  of  great  energy, 
and  fulfills  the  divine  injunction  •'  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth 
to  do,  do  with  thy  might." 

Unsought,  Mr.  Ross  received  the  nomination  as  representative 
to  the  legislature  for  the  counties  of  McDonough  and  Warren 
from  the  Independent  party  in  1874,  but  not  having  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  district  sufficient  time  to  make  him  eligible  to  the 
office,  he  therefore  withdrew  from  the  canvass.  Had  he  run,  he 
undoubtedly  would  have  been  elected. 

JOSEPH    SHANNON. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  November,  1818.  His  parents 
were  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Davis)  Shannon,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  father  died  when  he  was  about  two  years  old,  and 
about  twelve  years  after  his  mother  again  married.  Boy  that  he 
was,  Joseph  now  decided  on  leaving  home  and  henceforth  do  for 
himself.  Without  aid  from  any  one,  he  educated  himself,  attend- 
ing first  the  common  schools  in  the  winter,  and,  in  due  course  of 
time,  entering  Kenyon  College,  Gambier,  Ohio.  In  this  institu- 
tion he  spent  some  time,  paying  his  board  and  tuition  by  working 
for  the  professors.  In  this  act  he  showed  a  trait  of  character  that 
might  well  be  imitated  by  many  at  this  day.  Many  young  men 
at  the  present  time,  instead  of  going  forward  and  by  their  own 
exertions  acquiring  knowledge  that  would  be  beneficial  to  them 
in  after  life,  and  likewise  developing  in  themselves  a  degree  of 
manhood  and  independence,  wait  supinely  for  some  well-endowed 
institution  to  give  them  instruction  without  money  and  without 
price. 

Farming  has  ever  been  the  regular  occupation  of  Mr.  Shannon, 
though  for  many  years  he  engaged  in  teaching  during  the  winter 
months.  He  now  lives  on  a  well-improved  farm  on  section  25, 
Mound  township.  Leaving  Ohio  he  came  to  Fulton  county,  in 
this  State,  where  he  lived  a  short  time,  or  until  the  spring  of 
1857,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  place  of  residence. 


491 

In  politics  Mr.  Shannon  is  a  Republican.  He  keeps  well  read  in 
the  political  news  of  the  day,  and  therefore  acts  understandingly. 
For  six  years  he  has  represented  his  township  as  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  and  is  its  present  representative.  In  all  his 
official  relations  he  pursues  the  same  course  as  in  conducting  his 
private  business.  Bills  of  doubtful  character  are  never  permitted 
to  pass  with  his  sanction,  and  no  member  looks  more  closely  to 
the  interests  of  his  constituents. 

In  1840  Mr.  Shannon  was  married  to  Miss  Delilia  Milner.  Six 
children  have  blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom  still  live,  one  son 
dying  from  the  effects  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
in  the  late  rebellion.  Mr.  Shannon  is  a  man  of  many  good 
qualities  of  head  and  heart,  and  there  is  in  him  much  to  com- 
mend. 

JOHN   WILLIAM    SIDERS. 

This  gentleman  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  having  been  born  in  High- 
land county,  of  that  State,  on  the  31st  day  of  March,  1839.  His 
father,  Henry  Siders,  was  born  near  Frederick,  Md.,  but  at  an 
earl}  age  emigrated  to  Virginia,  the  native  State  ot  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Xancy  Kidd.  The  young  couple  were 
poor  in  this  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  faith,  and  with  a  will  and 
determination  to  dare  and  do.  Shortly  after  marriage  they  moved 
to  Oho,  settling  in  Highland  county,  where  they  made  their  homes 
for  sone  years.  Mr.  Siders  was  a  hard-working  man,  one  that 
never  shirked  duty  in  any  respect.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he 
could  dear  more  land  of  its  timber  and  brush  than  any  man  in 
the  whole  State.  The  first  recollection  of  the  subject  of  our  present 
sketch  s  in  living  in  the  timber,  gathering  together,  piling  up 
and  burning  the  brush  from  the  fallen  trees.  At  the  age  of  six 
years  IK  was  sent  to  the  common  schools  of  the  county  in  which 
he  lived  this  being  continued  for  four  months  in  each  year  until 
he  was  fcvelve  years  of  age,  since  which  time  he  had  only  forty 
days'  schooling.  During  this  last  period  duties  were  placed  upon 
him  which  the  youth  of  our  land  at  present  would  doubtless  rebel 
against.  With  nine  others  he  was  classed  off  two  and  two,  and 
one  day  ii  each  week  would  have  to  cut  the  wood  amd  build  the 
fire  in  :he  old-fashioned  fire-place,  which  was  eight  feet 
wide  and  which  required  for  one  filling  a  very  large  amount  of 
wood.  The  school-house  was  situated  in  a  vallev,  and  whole 


492 

trees  were  dragged  down  from  the  top  of  the  high  hill  and  piled 
around  the  school  house  that  they  might  be  cut  by  the  oldest 
boys. 

In  1856,  with  his  parents,  he  came  to  McDonough  county,  set- 
tling in  Emmet  township,  where  he  has  since  resided  until  within 
the  past  year,  when  he  removed  toMacomb  on  his  accession  to  the 
office  of  county  treasurer  to  which  he  had  been  elected  the  year 
previous.  All  the  best  years  of  his  life  have  been  spent  on  a  farm, 
and  for  nearly  twenty  years  of  that  time  he  has  worked  on  the 
farm  in  summer  and  taught  school  in  the  winter. 

As  a  teacher  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  short  time  bpent  in  the  schools  of  the  county,  he  has  at 
home  studied  hard  to  prepare  himself  for  usefulness  in  life.  He  is 
a  self-educated  and  a  self-made  man  in  every  respect.  He  is  a 
kind  friend  and  neighbor,  enjoying  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
all  who  know  him.  A  strict  temperance  man,  he  is  known  aid 
recognized  by  all.  While  a  candidate  for  office,  not  one  cent  did 
he  spend  for  liquor,  directly  or  indirectly.  While  the  Good  Tem- 
plars were  in  existence  in  the  county,  he  was  a  good  working  irem- 
ber  and  known  as  such  throughout  the  State. 

BENJAMIN   F.  THOMPSON. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Adams  county,  111.,  were  Josiai  and 
Louey  (Tibbits)  Thompson,  the  parents  of  the  subject  of  ourpres- 
ent  sketch,  who  emigrated  from  Ohio  in  1830,  the  summer  before 
the  big  snow.  Mr.  Thompson  wasanOhioan  by  birth,  while  Mrs. 
Thompson  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  the  State  of  Maine,  but 
when  a  small  child  was  taken  to  Ohio  where  she  was  raise;!,  and 
where  she  was  married.  When  they  arrived  in  Adams  Bounty, 
and  for  several  years  after,  they  were  in  very  limited  circundstances 
and  in  consequence  suffered  more  or  less,  especially  during  the 
winter  following  their  arrival. 

Benjamin  Franklin  Thompson  was  born  in  Fall  Greet  town- 
ship, Adams  county,  Illinois,  on  the  seventh  day  of  November, 
1835,  and  spent  the  early  part  of  his  life  upon  a  farm  vith  his 
parents,  and  in  attending  the  common  schools  of  the  county  as 
the  opportunity  offered.  He  was  an  easy,  good-natured  3oy,  full 
of  fun,  and  extremely  fond  of  practical  jokes,  which  seeued  to  be 
an  inherent  trait  in  the  family. 

In  order  to  prepare  himself  for  the  profession  of  a  tea<her,  Mr. 
Thompson  attended  Quincy  College  one  term,  and  Hedding 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  493 

Seminar},  in  Abingdon,  for  about  the  same  length  of  time,  obtain- 
ing a  pretty  thorough  knowledge  of  the  English  language  as  well 
as  the  sciences.  For  about  nine  years  thereafter  he  engaged  in 
teaching  some  eight  or  nine  months  each  year,  the  balance  of  the 
time  working  upon  a  farm.  As  a  teacher,  he  met  with  good  suc- 
cess, it  being  a  profession  suited  to  his  nature.  .While  engaged 
in  this  work,  near  Hillsgrove  in  this  county,  he  first  met  Miss 
Mary  S.  Walker,  daughter  of  one  of  the  old  pioneers  of  McDon- 
ough,  Andrew  J.  Walker,  of  Tennessee  township.  The  meeting 
resulted  in  a  friendship  which  ripened  into  love,  and  on  the 
second  day  of  April,  1862,  the  couple  were  married.  Five  child- 
ren have  been  born  unto  them,  two  only  of  whom  remain  to  bless 
the  hearts  of  their  parents,  three  having  been  called  to  join  the 
happy  throng  upon  the  other  side,  where  in  the  sweet  bye-and-bye 
it  is  hoped  the  family  will  again  be  united  never  more  to  be  sepa- 
rated, and  where  tears  and  sorrows  never  come.  The  father  and 
mother  of  Mrs.  Thompson  departed  this  life  in  the  winter  of  1864, 
both  being  carried  away  by  the  same  disease,  diptheria,  and  within 
one  week  of  each  other.  They  were  a  couple  well  known  and  res- 
pected in  their  neighborhood. 

After  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  settled  in  Adams 
county,  where  Mr  T.  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  which  he 
endeavored  to  improve  for  a  permanent  home.  While  on  a  visit 
to  this  county,  William  M.  Latimer,  who  was  running  a  store 
in  Tennessee,  made  a  proposition  to  sell  the  same  to  him,  which, 
after  giving  the  subject  considerable  thought,  he  decided  to  ac- 
cept, and  in  the  fall  of  1865,  he  sold  his  land  in  Adams  county, 
purchased  the  store  and  residence  property  of  Mr.  L.,  and  moved 
his  family  to  the  place,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside, 
and  where  the  little  "one-horse  store"  has  grown  to  first  class  pro- 
portions, and  its  trade  second  to  few  in  the  Military  tract. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Thompson  experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and 
united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with  which  body  he 
yet  retains  connection,  being  in  Tennessee  one  of  its  most  active 
members.  In  the  Christian  work  he  never  tires,  using  the  talents 
the  Lord  has  given  him  for  the  advancement  of  his  cause.  He 
has  for  a  number  of  years,  been  a  District  Steward,  for  the  Col- 
chester Circuit,  and  also  a  Trustee  of  the  Church  in  Tennessee. 
In  the  Sunday  school  work,  he  has  always  taken  the  greatest  in- 
terest, being  an  active  worker  in  that  cause.  No  sacrifice  is  too 
great  for  him  to  make  for  the  good  of  the  school,  and  every  Sab- 


494  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

bath  finds  him  in  his  accustomed  place,  attending  to  the  duties 
devolving  upon  him  therein.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Superin- 
tendent some  time,  as  well  as  filled  the  position  of  teacher  and 
leader  of  music.  In  music,  Mr.  T.,  although  disclaiming  any  pro- 
ficiency in  the  science,  is  required  to  assist  in  and  superintend  all 
concerts  and  musical  entertainments  in  the  place. 

The  benevolent  orders  claim  a  good  share  of  his  attention,  he 
holding  membership  and  filling  important  offices  in  Masonic,  Odd 
Fellows  and  United  "Workmen  lodges  of  Tennessee.  No  good 
work  but  what  meets  with  his  hearty  co-operation. 

Although  a  young  man,  he  has  seen  considerable  of  this  world. 
In  1856  a  party  of  young  men  in  Adams  county  made  their  prepa- 
tion  to  go  to  California,  and  passing  by  and  dining  where  Mr.  T. 
was  boarding,  he  agreed  to  accompany  them  to  Quinc}r  and  see 
them  off'.  While  in  that  city  he  suddenly  made  up  his  mind  to  be 
one  of  the  party,  and  going  to  the  bank,  drew  out  his  deposits,, 
and  in  the  evening  was  on  the  way,  going  by  way  of  Chicago  to 
New  York  by  rail,  and  there  taking  a  vessel  by  way  of  Aspinwall 
and  Panama,  crossing  the  Isthmus  and  thence  by  steamer  to  San 
Francisco.  He  only  remained  some  three  or  four  months  in  that 
Eldorado,  when  he  sailed  for  home,  returning  by  way  of  Nicara- 
gua, where  the  fillibuster  Walker  was  then  engaged  in  fighting. 
The  cholera  broke  out  on  board -the  vessel  on  which  he  returned, 
and  with  others  he  had  a  severe  attack,  but  fortunately  recovered. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  about  five  feet  eight  inches  in  height,  light, 
wavy  hair,  which  with  his  beard,  is  very  thick;  blue  eyes,  and  a 
well  developed  head,  the  benevolent  faculty  being  very  prominent. 
He  is  kind  and  affectionate  in  the  family,  a  pleasant  neighbor  and 
an  agreeable  man  in  every  respect. 

ELDER   J.    L.    TOWNER. 

John  L.  Towner  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  Au- 
gust 20,  1820,  and  was  the  eldest  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom 
were  boys  and  four  girls.  His  parents  were  John  K.  and  Hannah 
(Loop)  Towner,  the  father  a  native  of  New  York  and  his  mother 
of  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  a  man  of  marked  character, 
having  occupied  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  bestowed  upon 
him  by  his  fellow  citizens ;  he  was  likewise  a  true  Christian 
man,  and  for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  Christ  he  gave  his 
time  and  means.  His  mother  was  a  woman  of  remarkable  mind, 
having  an  extensive  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  her  wise 


HISTORY   OF    M 'DOXOCKJH    COUNTY.  495 

counsels,  and  the  purity  of  her  life,  had  much  to  do  in  moulding- 
the  character  and  mind  of  her  sou.  In  1835  the  parents  removed 
to  this  State,  settling  near  the  town  of  Belvidere,  Boone  county, 
of  which  county  they  have  the  honor  of  being  the  first  white  set- 
tlers. Indians  were  then  all  around  there,  and  were  frequent  vis- 
itors to  their  cabin.  At  this  time  John  L.  was  but  a  lad  of  fifteen 
years  of  age.  After  erecting  his  cabin  the  elder  Towner  sent  John 
with  a  team  to  Chicago  to  bring  their  household  goods  which 
had  been  shipped  by  lake  to  that  place.  The  present  mighty  city 
was  then  but  a  small  village  of  about  1500  inhabitants  ;  to-day,  it 
numbers  more  than  a  half  million. 

All  the  advantages  in  the  way  of  education  that  could  be  en- 
joyed by  those  dwelling  in  this  new  country  were  given  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  He  had  the  benefit  of  the  common  schools  in  his 
native  county,  and  of  the  Academy  erected  at  Belvidere  at  an 
early  day. 

In  1843,  under  the  ministration  of  Elder  William  Roberts,  he 
made  confession  of  his  sins,  and  was  baptized  into  Christ,  by  that 
man  of  God,  some  three  years  after.  Having  given  the  subject 
much  thought,  he  determined  upon  entering  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  giving  his  time  and  whatever  talents  the  Lord  may 
have  given  him  for  the  advancement  of  his  cause.  In  order  that 
he  might  specially  prepare  himself  for  that  purpose,  he  entered 
the  Divinity  School,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained 
eighteen  months.  In  1849  he  entered  upon  the  regular  work, 
having  been  set  apart  for  that  purpose,  since  which  time  he  has 
devoted  his  entire  time  to  the  proclamation  of  glad  tidings.  His 
work  has  been  prosperous  to  a  great  degree,  and  his  labors  have 
extended  over  a  large  territory,  having  received  calls  and  served 
as  pastor  of  churches  in  the  towns  of  Belvidere,  Piano  and 
Industry,  and  the  counties  of  Kendall  and  Stephenson,  Illinois, 
Greene  county,  Wisconsin,  Grant  county,  Indiana.  In  Industry, 
where  he  now  resides,  he  has  labored  faithfully  for  nine  years,  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  members  of  his  own  church  and  the  com- 
munity in  general. 

Elder  Towner  is  a  hard-working,  zealous,  Christian  man — one 
who  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  every  one  knowing 
him ;  his  Christian  integrity  is  doubted  by  none.  As  a  preacher, 
he  is  plain,  practical  and  earnest;  he  talks  like  one  who  believes 
what  he  speaks,  and  therefore  carries  conviction  to  the  hearts  of 
his  hearers.  In  all  that  he  savs  or  does  it  can  well  be  believed 


496  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

that  he  is  conscientious.  In  filling  his  appointments  he  allows  no 
trifles  to  interfere  with  his  attendance.  As  an  illustration  of  this 
we  will  state  that  on  one  occasion,  while  going  with  his  wife  to 
an  appointment,  he  found  a  stream  which  he  had  to  cross  greatly 
swollen  by  the  rain,  so  much  so  that  a  less  zealous  person  would 
have  turned  back  before  attempting  to  ford  it,  and  waited  until 
the  waters  subsided.  But  he  determined  to  make  the  attempt,  and 
in  doing  so,  his  horse  and  buggy  had  to  swim  ;  but  they  reached 
the  other  side  in  safety,  with  no  damage  save  the  wetting  of 
their  persons,  wearing  apparel  and  books.  Another  time  he  was 
not  quite  so  fortunate,  for  in  attempting  to  cross  a  stream  from 
which  the  bridge  had  been  carried  away,  and  which  was  running 
very  fast,  his  horse  was  borne  down  by  the  swift  current  and  was 
lost.  Mr.  Towner,  with  great  difficulty,  reached  the  shore,  the 
stream  having  in  it  running  ice,  and  the  water  being  so  cold,  that 
when  he  did  make  the  land  he  was  so  chilled  that  he  could 
scarcely  reach  a  house  which  was  a  half  mile  distant.  The  horse 
wras  valued  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  was  a  total 
loss,  save  thirty  dollars  made  up  by  friends  where  he  had  gone  to 
preach. 

Elder  Towner  \vas  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Keziah  Brown- 
ell,  on  the  tenth  of  February,  1850.  Two  children  have  blessed 
their  union,  a  son  and  daughter,  the  former  now  a  young  man  of 
considerable  talent  that  will  doubtless  be  used  to  a  good  purpose. 
In  the  family  circle,  Mr.  Towner  is  kind,  pleasant  and  agreeable; 
receiving  the  love  and  affection  of  his  children. 

ROSWELL    TYRRELL. 

When  visiting  the  western  part  of  the  county  in  search  of  ma- 
terial for  the  History  of  McDonough  county,  nearly  every  person 
we  met  inquired  of  us  if  we  did  not  intend  to  give  a  sketch  of  the 
life  of  Uncle  Roswell  Tyrrell,  as  all  familiarly  called  him.  We  re- 
plied that  it  would  give  us  pleasure  to  give  such  a  sketch  should 
we  be  furnished  writh  the  material  incidents  of  his  life  by  those 
who  were  intimately  acquainted  with  him.  Many  times  had  we 
heard  old  settlers  mention  this  good  man,  and  we  thought  it  was 
due  his  memory  that  he  should  have  a  place  among  the  records 
given  of  the  old  pioneers  and  prominent  men  of  the  county. 

Roswell  Tyrrell  was  the  son  of  Abijah  and  Naomi  Tyrrell,  and 
was  born  near  Hartford,  Connecticut,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of 
May,  1798.  In  early  life  he  shadowed  forth  the  peculiar  traits  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  497 

character  that  made  him  noted  in  after  years.  He  was  always  a 
quiet,  steady  lad,  attending  closely  to  his  duties  on  the  farm  and 
in  the  common  school  pursuing  his  studies  with  zeal. 

Every  school  boy  or  girl  has  read  of  the  second  war  with  Great 
Britain,  the  beginning  of  which  was  in  1812,  when  Roswell  was 
but  fourteen  years  of  age,  entirely  too  young  to  enlist.  The  war 
continuing,  two  years  thereafter,  when  but  sixteen  years  of  age, 
he  enrolled  himself  in  the  army  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war  the  year  following,  when  he  received  his  discharge.  What 
special  service  may  have  been  performed  by  the  regiment  in  which 
he  enlisted,  we  are  not  advised,  but  we  do  know  that  young  Ros- 
well Tyrrell  never  would  have  shirked  duty,  and  if  called  upon  to 
face  the  foe  upon  the  battle  field  he  never  would  have  flinched. 

On  receiving  his  discharge,  he  returned  to  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  to  which  place  had  emigrated  when  about  fourteen  years  of 
age,  and  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1819,  when,  there 
being  some  difficulty  with  respect  to  his  discharge  papers,  he 
went  on  foot  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  to  have  the  mistake  corrected. 
After  having  the  matter  attended  to,  he  started  on  foot  west,  in- 
tending to  settle  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  arrived  in  Madison 
county  in  the  fall,  remaining  there  some  four  years,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Fulton  county,  where,  on  the  twenty-second  day  of 
February,  1823,  near  the  town  of  Lewistown,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Sidwell,  with  whom  he  lived  happily  until  death 
called  her  away,  which  sad  event  occurred  in  May,  1828.  She 
died  in  the  full  assurance  of  hope,  leaving  one  daughter  for  him 
to  rear  and  provide. 

Mr.  Tyrrell  received  as  a  pension  from  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment, for  service  in  the  war  of  1812,  a  land  warrant  for 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  warrant  he  sold, 
and  with  the  proceeds,  in  1826,  purchased  a  quarter  on  section 
29,  5  north,  4  west,  now  Tennessee  township,  which  quar- 
ter he  held  until  his  death.  In  the  fall  of  1830,  he  came  over 
from  Fulton  county,  erected  his  cabin,  and  returned  for  his  fam- 
ily. While  gone,  "the  big  snow,"  of  which  so  much  is  said  by 
old  settlers,  fell,  necessitating  his  remaining  away  until  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  when  he  came  back  and  effected  a  permanent  set- 
tlement. 

On  the  eighth  day  of  July  he  was  again  married,  leading  to 
the  marriage  altar  Miss  Hannah  Ann  Brooks.  One  daughter 
was  born  unto  them.  The  second  Mrs.  Tyrrell  died  in  1852. 


498  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

About  the  year  1834  Mr.  Tyrrell  became  bondsman  for  one  of 
the  officers  of  McDonough  county  who,  unfortunately,  failed  to 
make  full  returns  due  the  county,  and  Mr.  T.  was  called  upon  to 
make  good  the  deficiency.  This  was  an  entirely  unlocked  for 
event,  and  came  very  heavily  upon  him,  but  he  determined  that 
every  dollar  should  be  paid.  Few  to-day  can  realize  the  trouble  had 
in  obtaining  money  in  those  days.  Men  with  thousands  of  acres 
of  land,  with  an  abundance  of  personal  property,  could  scarcely 
raise  money  to  pay  their  taxes,  small  as  they  then  were.  But  Mr. 
Tyrrell  proposed  to  pay  this  indebtedness,  though  it  was  frequently 
suggested  to  him  that  its  payment  could  be  avoided.  The  very 
idea  of  repudiation  was  horror  to  him,  and  he  has  often  said  that 
never  for  a  moment  was  he  tempted  to  do  such  a  thing.  As  the 
money  couid  not  be  raised  here  by  any  means  that  could  be  re- 
sorted to,  Mr.  Tyrrell  determined  on  once  more  going  to  the  lead 
mines,  and,  as  a  day  laborer,  work  to  obtain  the  money  to  make 
good  his  bond.  Although  the  amount  he  was  required  to  pay 
would  not  seem  very  large  to  us  at  the  present  day,  yet  it  required 
eleven  years  to  make  the  final  payment,  but  every  dollar  was  paid, 
and  McDonough  county  was  saved  from  loss. 

The  discovery  of  gold  in  California  caused  a  tremor  of  excite- 
ment throughout  the  whole  country  and  thousands  flocked  to  the 
New  Eldorado.  Among  the  first  to  seek  his  fortune  in  that  strange 
laud,  was  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch.  In  April,  1849,  in 
company  with  several  others,  he  started  on  the  overland  journey, 
arriving  at  his  destination  in  about  seven  months  from  the  time  of 
starting.  The  hardships  of  that  journey  he  bore  remarkably  well, 
and  in  good  health  and  spirits  he  began  to  labor  in  the  mines,  con- 
tinuing in  the  work  for  three  years,  saveabout  three  months  when 
he  was  unable  to  do  anything  on  account  of  sore  eyes.  He  re- 
turned home  in  1852,  having  in  a  measure,  been  quite  successful, 
more  so  than  the  great  majority  that  went  out  with  him. 

Mr.  Tyrrell  was  never  a  member  of  the  Church,  though  in  life 
he  was  a  strictly  moral  man.  The  second  great  commandment, 
to  "  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself,"  he  carried  out  to  the  letter. 
When  James  Fuikerson  settled  in  his  neighborhood,  in  1832,  Mr. 
Tyrrell  was  in  the  habit  of  attending  to  any  little  chores  around 
the  house  that  might  seem  necessary  on  the  Sabbath  day,  such  as 
cutting  wood,  sharpening  his  tools,  etc.,  but  as  he  saw  that  Mr- 
Fulkerson  did  not  approve  of  the  same,  he  resolved  to  discontinue 
the  practice,  saying,  "  My  grief,  it  don't  hurt  me  to  cut  wood,  but 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  499 

it  hurts  Uncle  Jimmy's  feelings,  so  I  won't  do  it."  And  he  was 
•ever  afterwards  as  good  as  his  word,  and  "  Uncle  Jimmy's"  feel- 
ings were  never  hurt  by  his  Sabbath  breaking.  His  honesty  was 
proverbial  wherever  he  was  known,  and  when  another  person  was 
specially  commended  for  this  trait  of  character,  it  was  said  of  him 
that  "  he  is  as  honest  as  Uncle  Roswell  Tyrrell',"  or  "  Uncle  Eos- 
well  Tyrrell  couldn't  do  better  than  that."  Another  excellent 
trait  in  him  was  that  he  ever  kept  his  promise  to  the  very  letter. 
On  one  occasion  he  left  his  two  little  girls  at  home  while  he  went 
to  Mticomb  on  some  business.  While  there  he  was  so  unfortu- 
nate as  to  be  taken  as  a  juryman.  When  night  came  he  told  the 
judge  he  must  return  home.  The  judge  replied  that  he  could  not 
excuse  him.  "But,"  he  said,  "I  must  go;  I  promised  my  little 
girls  that  I  would  be  at  home  to-night,  and  I  never  break  my 
promise  to  them."  And  home  he  went,  trudging  his  way  along 
on  foot,  spending  the  night  with  his  little  ones,  and  returning  to 
town  the  next  morning  before  court  was  called.  The  judge 
thought  such  a  desire  to  keep  inviolate  a  promise  made  to  the 
little  ones  was  to  be  commended  rather  than  reproved,  and  there- 
fore did  not  fine  him  for  contempt. 

Until  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  in  1854,  Mr.  Tyr- 
rell had  always  been  a  Democrat,  but  not  approving  the  position 
of  the  Democratic  party  on  the  slavery  question,  he  refused  longer 
to  act  with  it.  He  had  always  been  a  strong  anti-slavery  man, 
and  in  1824,  when  the  effort  was  being  made  to  convert  Illinois 
into  a  slave  state,  he  voted  against  calling  a  convention  to  amend 
the  constitution  for  that  purpose.  When  the  Republican  party 
came  into  existence  he  found  the  principles  enunciated  by  its 
leaders  were  in  accordance  with  those  he  had  long  held,  and  there- 
fore acted  with  it  until  he  was  called  away.  No  stronger  Repub- 
lican ever  lived  than  he,  and  in  his  death  that  party  lost  one  of 
its  most  earnest  advocates.  He  was  well  posted  in  all  the  ques- 
tions at  issue  between  the  two  great  parties,  spending  the  greater 
portion  of  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  reading  and  posting 
upon  the  political  questions  of  the  day.  During  the  dark  days 
of  the  war  he  was  intensely  loyal,  and  although  too  old  to  enter 
the  service  of  his  country,  as  he  did  forty-seven  years  previous, 
his  heart  was  with  the  "boys  in  blue"  upon  the  tented  field,  and 
many  acts  of  kindness  did  he  perform  for  the  dear  ones  they  left 
behind.  No  wife,  sister,  or  mother  of  a  soldier  would  be  allowed 
to  suffer  if  in  his  power  to  minister  relief,  and  numberless  little 


500 

deeds  of  kindness. might  be  recorded  in  this  connection  wherein 
he  figured  as  the  principal  party. 

No  man  ever  stood  higher  in  the  community  than  he,  and  even 
his  most  bitter  political  enemies  never  doubted  his  honesty.  How- 
ever much  they  might  doubt  the  truth  of  a  political  statement, 
they  would  invariably  remark,  "Well,  he  is  honest  in  what  he 
says."  We  never  heard  of  but  one  instance  in  which  his  word 
was  ever  doubted.  A  stranger,  with  whom  he  was  conversing, 
charged  him  indirectly  with  falsifying,  when  he  quietly  responded, 
as  if  his  feelings  were  hurt  greatly,  "Mister,  you  don't  know  me, 
or  you  wouldn't  say  that."  It  was  his  pride  to  make  his  word 
respected  by  every  one,  and  none  knowing  the  man  ever  doubted 
his  sincerity. 

He  had  a  heart  overflowing  with  love  of  humanity,  and  to  the 
poor  he  was  ever  kind  and  considerate.  The  cabin  which  he  erect- 
ed in  1830,  it  is  said,  was  the  first  home  of  nearly  every  family  in 
the  Hillsgrove  settlement,  and  not  a  cent  of  rent  was  he  ever 

O 

known  to  receive  for  its  use.  If  the  family  wa.s  poor,  or  in  need 
of  any  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  Uncle  Roswell  was  ever  ready  to 
supply  their  wants.  A  sack  of  flour  or  meal,  a  ham  of  meat,  or 
whatever  might  be  the  object  of  their  need,  was  dropped  quietly 
at  their  door,  and  not  a  word  spoken.  If  he  should  be  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  secure  some  choice  venison,  he  was  ever  ready  to  divide 
with  his  less  fortunate  neighbors.  Such  being  the  character  of 
the  man  it  certainly  is  no  wonder  his  memory  is  held  in  grateful 
remembrance  by  hundreds  of  the  old  citizens  of  the  county. 

Roswell  Tyrrell  departed  this  life  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  April, 
1872,  being  at  the  time  72  years  11  months,  and  20  days  old.  He 
left  but  @ne  daughter  (Mrs.  A.  G.  Owen)  to  mourn  his  loss,  but 
her  grief  was  shared  by  friends  and  neighbors,  and  the  citizens  of 
the  county  in  general,  and  probably  no  man's  death  was  more 
greatly  regretted  than  Roswell  Tyrrell,  the  old  pioneer. 

CAPTAIN    J.  B.  VENARD. 

0 

Josephus  B.  Yenard  may  almost  be  said  to  be  a  native  of  this 
county,  'being  carried  hereby  his  parents,  George  and  Frances 
(Mitchell)  Yeuard,  when  but  six  weeks  old.  His  parents  were 
both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1832, 
here  living  until  called  away  by  death,  save  a  short  time  spent  in 
Hancock  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yenard  were  well  known  and 
highly  respected  by  a  large  number  of  people,  both  in  this  and 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  501 

Hancock  county,  and  the  excellent  qualities  shown  in  the  life  of 
their  son  is  due  to  their  good  training. 

Josephus  B.  Venard  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois, 
March  3,  1832,  and  has  spent  almost  his  entire  life  upon  a  farm, 
the  exception  being  nearly  five  years  spent  in  the  military  service 
of  the  government,  and  two  years  while  serving  as  Sheriff  of 
McDonough  county.  He  only  spent  a  lew  weeks  of  his  life  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  county;  his  father,  who  was  a  good 
scholar  for  his  time,  imparting  instructions  to  him  at  home.  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  elder  Veuard  to  gather  his  children  around 
him  in  the  evening,  after  the  toils  ot  the  day  were  over,  and 
teach  them  as  much  as  possible  betwreeu  the  short  time  intervening 
between  supper  and  the  hour  for  retiring. 

From  the  time  Joseph  was  nine  years  of  age  he  was  compelled 
to  do  his  share  of  the  labors  of  the  farm,  having  to  follow  the 
plow,  and  engage  in  such  other  exercises  as  his  strength  would 
permit. 

AVhen  the  war  broke  out  and  the  call  was  issued  by  the  Presi- 
dent for  three  hundred  thousand  men,  he  enlisted  on  the  second 
day  of  August,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Captain  J.  D.  Walker's  com- 
pany, Second  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  in  about  thirty  days  thereafter, 
the  Second  Lieutenant  resigning,  he  was  chosen  by  the  men  and 
commissioned  to  fill  the  vacancy.  This  position  he  retained  a 
few  months,  w^hen,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  January,  1862,  he 
was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant.  While  still  holding  a  com- 
mission as  Lieutenant  of  company  H  he  was  assigned  to  command 
company  A  during  the  Red  River  compaign,  and  discharged  the 
duties  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  superior  officers.  On  the 
twentieth  day  of  July,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  Captain  of  com- 
pany H,  and  served  as  such  until  it  was  consolidated  with  one  or 
two  other  companies  and  lettered  E,  when  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand and  served  with  it  until  mustered  out  on  the  third  day  of 
January,  1866.  In  many  respects  the  cavalry  arm  of  the  military 
service  is  the  most  dangerous,  being  more  exposed  on  detached 
service,  and  therefore  is  entitled  to  great  credit,  and  the  Second 
Illinois  Cavalry  deserves  the  thanks  of  the  whole  country,  for  no 
regiment  in  the  entire  service  acquitted  itself  more  honorably 
than  it.  It  wras  in  active  duty  from  the  day  it  was  mustered  into 
the  service  until  the  close  ot  the  war.  Captain  Venard  served 

H— 32 


502 

with  honor  and  distinction,  and  was  in  almost  every  engagement 
in  which  the  regiment  participated. 

Receiving  a  furlough,  Captain  Yenard  came  home  early  in  1865, 
and  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  March,  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds 
of  matrimony,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Curtiss,  by  whom  he  has  had  live 
children,  all  of  whom  yet  live  to  bless  the  hearts  of  their  parents. 

Without  solicitation  on  his  part,  Captain  Yenard  received  the 
nomination  for  the  office  of  Sheriff  in.  1874,  and  was  triumphantly 
elected,  receiving  a  majority  over  both  his  political  opponents,  and 
on  account  of  personal  popularity,  carrying  Sciota  township  by 
thirty-live  majority,  being  the  first  and  only  Republican  that  has 
ever  done  so.  He  also  carried  Bethel  township,  another  strong 
Democratic  precinct,  being  the  one  in  which  he  was  raised,  and 
where  he  was  well  known  by  every  citizen.  As  a  civil  officer  he 
brought  to  bear  the  same  unswerving  zeal  that  characterized  him 
as  an  army  officer.  While  of  a  modest  and  retiring  disposition, 
he  never  shirks  responsibility,  and  every  duty  is  discharged  faith- 
fully and  conscientiously. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1874,  he  made  a  profession  of  religion, 
and  on  his  removal  to  Macomb,  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a  faithful  member  thereof. 
We  trust  he  may  be  as  earnest  a  worker  in  Ihe  Christian  cause  as 
in  any  other  service  in  which  he  has  engaged,  and  so  receive  the 
reward  in  the  end. 

As  a  citizen,  he  stands  high  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives 
or  has  ever  resided,  being  a  good  neighbor,  and  a  kind  hearted, 
benevolent  man,  one  who  would  be  received  well  and  trusted  im- 
plicitly by  stranger  or  friend. 

CAPTAIN    D.    P.    WELLS. 

Among  "the  representative  men  of  McDonough  county,  few 
stand  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the  people,  or  those  who  were 
intimately  acquainted  with  him,  than  did  he  of  whom  we  now 
write.  David  Perkins  Wells  was  born  in  Winchester,  Tennessee, 
on  the  tenth  day  of  October,  1826.  His  parents  were  Ranseallar 
and  Esther  (Perkins)  Wells,  the  former  being  born  in  Connecticut 
and  the  latter  a  Pennsylvania^,  who  had  emigrated  to  Tennessee 
at  an  early  day.  In  1833,  when  David  P.  was  about  seven  years 
of  age,  they  again  emigrated,  this  time  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
Rushville,  Schuyler  county.  Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
spent  his  youth  in  attendance  on  the  common  schools,  and  in 


503 

clerking  in  one  of  the  principal  mercantile  stores  of  the  town. 
After  spending  ten  years  in  this  place,  he  received  an  invitation 
from  an  uncle,  who  occupied  the  position  of  sutler  at  Fort  Moul- 
trie,  South  Carolina,  to  come  and  assist  him  in  his  work.  He  at 
once  proceeded  to  that  station,  and  continued  there  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Mexican  war,  when  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  Aid  to  Colonel  Gates,  of  the  Third  Artillery,  with  the 
rank  of  First  Lieutenant.  He  proceeded  with  the  regiment  to 
Mexico,  and  served  with  distinction  during  the  entire  campaign, 
participating  in  some  of  the  most  important  engagements  of  the 
war.  At  its  close  he  returned  to  Rushville,  where  he  remained 
hut  a  short  time,  coming  from  thence  to  this  county,  taking  up 
his  residence  at  Macomb,  at  which  place  he  resided  until  the  day 
of  his  death. 

In  Macomb,  Lieutenant  Wells  engaged  in  various  kinds  of 
business,  first  in  the  general  mercantile  trade  in  the  firm  of  Tvvy- 
man,  Lawson  &  Wells,  and  then  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
business  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  II.  Baker  &  Co.  In  1854, 
in  company  with  John  D.  Hail  and  Iverson  L.  Twyman,  he  laid 
out  the  town  of  Bushnell,  now  one  of  the  most  flourishing  young 
cities  in  the  military  tract. 

On  the  third  day  of  October,  1850,  in  Rushville,  Illinois,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Susan  Eliza  Dean,  by  whom  he  had 
five  children,  two  only  of  whom  are  now  living — Charles  D.,  who 
is  now  one  of  the  leading  commission  merchants  of  the  city  of 
Peoria,  Illinois,  and  Harry,  who  yet  remains  at  home  in  Macomb, 
with  his  widowed  mother. 

In  early  life,  and  during  the  existence  of  the  party,  Lieut. 
Wells  was  a  consistent  Whig,  and  on  its  death,  he  first  voted  with 
the  Republicans,  but  in  the  celebrated  campaign  of  ISfiO,  he  affili- 
ated with  the  Douglas  wing  of  the  Democratic  party,  he  being  a 
great  admirer  of  that  immortal  statesman  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  But 
with  that  great  leader,  when  the  dark  war  clouds  broke  over  the 
country,  when  the  roar  of  rebel  cannon  was  heard,  he  believed 
there  could  be  but  two  parties,  patriots  and  traitors,  and  there 
not  being  a  single  drop  of  disloyal  blood  in  his  veins,  he  at  once 
stepped  forth  on  the  call  of  the  President  and  offered  his  services 
to  the  government.  In  company  with  the  lamented  Broaddus,  he 
raised  company  B  of  the  16th  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers,  and 
was  duly  commissioned  as  captain.  His  early  military  training 
now  served  him  in  good  stead,  and  he  was  at  once  acknowledged 


504 

the  best  disciplinarian  and  soldier  in  the  entire  regiment.  Al- 
though strict  in  discipline,  he  received  the  good  will  and  love  of 
every  man  in  his  company,  and  the  unqualified  respect  of  his 
brother  officers.  Not  one  of  his  men  but  would  have  defended 
him  to  the  end.  Where  he  led,  none  would  have  refused  to  fol- 
low. Unfortunately  Captain  Wells  did  not  see  as  much  service 
in  the  field  as  he  desired,  and  never  had  an  opportunity  to  dis- 
tinguish himself  as  he  doubtless  would  have  done. 

The  regiment  being  among  the  first  to  enter  the  service,  was 
put  upon  detached  duty,  guarding  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joe  Kail- 
road,  etc.  While  upon  this  road  Captain  Wells  received  wounds 
that  no  doubt  were  the  ultimate  cause  of  his  death.  In  traveling 
between  different  points  on  the  road  the  train  was  wrecked  by 
obstructions  placed  upon  the  track,  and  Captain  Wells  thrown 
out  and  some  heavy  article  was  thrown  across  his  breast,  causing 
bleeding  at  the  lungs.  He  lay  insensible  for  several  hours,  and 
although  he  recovered  sufficiently  to  join  the  regiment  and  start 
with  them  to  the  front,  he  was  only  enabled  to  reach  Cairo.  Here 
the  surgeon  of  the  regiment  ordered  him  home,  informing  him 
that  he  could  never  recover  unless  he  had  rest.  In  company  with 
a  private  of  his  company  the  captain  returned,  stopping  in  St. 
Louis  long  enough  to  attend  to  some  business  and  purchase  for 
his  family  a  few  presents.  He  arrived  at  home  on  the  third  day 
of  April,  1862,  in  quite  feeble  health,  but  without  a  thought  of 
soon  being  called  away,  thinking  that  in  a  few  days  he  should  be 
sufficiently  recovered  to  return  to  his  regiment  and  take  part  in 
the  active  duties  of  the  war.  But  it  was  willed  otherwise  by  One 
mightier  than  all  others.  He  began  to  sink  slowly,  but  still  on 
the  third  day  of  his  return  was  able  to  walk  from  one  room  to 
another,  but  on  the  fourth  day  the  dread  summons  came,  and  his 
soul  returned  to  the  God  who  gave  it,  and  in  due  time  his  body 
was  laid  away  in  the  cold  and  silent  tomb.  His  death  was  en- 
tirely unexpected  by  his  friends,  although  they  were  made  aware 
he  could  not  long  survive.  His  funeral  sermon  wras  preached  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Warren,  D.  D.,  and  his  body  was  placed  in  the  grave 
by  his  Masonic  brethren,  of  which  order  he  had  for  some  years 
been  an  active  member.  Many  friends  followed  the  remains  to 
the  grave,  and  mingled  their  tears  with  that  of  the  grief-stricken 
widow  and  fatherless  children. 

From  the  first  Captain  Wells  had  a  full  conception  of  the  ex- 
tent of  the  rebellion,  and  publicly  expressed  his  views.  Long 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  505 

before  the  famous  emancipation  proclamation  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln was  issued,  and  even  before  the  celebrated  order  of  General 
Fremont  was  promulgated,  he  stated  his  belief  that  the  rebellion 
would  never  be  put  down  until  the  slave  was  made  free. 

Captain  "Wells  was  not  a  professed  Christian,  had  never  at- 
tached himself  to  any  church,  but  believed  in  the  religion  of  the 
Bible,  and  was  a  strictly  moral  man.  His  views  of  Christianity 
were  more  in  accordance  with  those  of  the  Episcopalian  Church 
than  any  other,  and  had  there  been  an  organization  of  that  de- 
nomination in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  he  would  doubtless  have 
united  with  it.  He  was  a  man  of  kind  heart,  and  in  the  family 
circle  was  very  indulgent,  yet  always  firm.  His  word  was  recog- 
nized as  law  by  his  children,  and  while  he  was  gentleness  in  the 
extreme,  they  knew  his  word  was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  His  loss 
was  deeply  felt  by  the  whole  community  in  which  he  lived. 

JOHN    G.  WOODSIDE. 

Another  of  the  old  pioneers  of  Blandinsville,  well  known  dur- 
ing the  first  quarter  century  of  our  county's  history,  was  John  G. 
Woodside,  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Gallaher)  Woodside,  who 
was  born  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  on  the  ninth  day  of 
November,  1798,  and  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1833.  His  par- 
ents at  his  birth  were  in  very  moderate  circumstances,  but  gave 
their  son  all  the  advantages  their  means  would  allow.  At  an 
early  age  he  learned  the  glovemaking  trade,  and  also  many  years 
followed  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  even  after  coming  to  this  State- 
In  looking  over  some  of  his  old  books  and  papers  were  found 
accounts  against  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county  for 
work  done ;  charges  were  made  for  making  children's  shoes, 
twelve  and  a  halt'  cents  per  pair,  and  men's  shoes  thirty-seven 
and  a  half  cents  per  pair.  Think  of  this,  you  that  complain  of 
low  prices  of  the  present  day. 

Before  reaching  his  majority,  Mr.  Woodside  was  married  to 
Miss  Jane  AYooclside,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  four  boys 
and  four  girls  ;  three  of  the  former  and  two  of  the  latter  now 
living. 

Mr.  AVoodside  had  the  honor  of  being  one  of  the  best  educated 
men  in  the  county  when  he  first  came  to  it,  and  for  several  terms 
taught  a  select  school.  In  chapter  thirty-two  will  be  found  an 
article  of  agreement  between  himself  and  patrons  to  teach  school 
for  the  term  of  six  months.  The  agreement  is  worth  reading. 


506  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Woodside  held  many  of  the  township  and  county  offices, 
among  which  were  Justice  of  the  Peace,  County  Commissioner, 
etc.  He  was  likewise  Postmaster  of  the  old  Muddy  Lane  post- 
office,  which  has  long  since  been  forgotten  except  by  a  few  of  the 
older  settlers  of  the  county.  He  was  a  man  that  enjoyed  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  his  friends  and  associates.  Mr.  Wood- 
side  died  on  on  the  eighteenth  day  of  March,  1853,  his  loss  being 
deeply  felt  by  the  citizens  of  the  county. 

Of  this  family  now  living,  the  oldest  daughter  resides  in  Jasper 
county,  Iowa  ;  the  other  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois.  Of  the 
sons,  Hugh  G,  lives  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  James  A.  and 
William  L.  are  farmers  in  Blandinsville  township,  the  latter  resid- 
ing on  the  old  homestead  on  which  his  father  settled  on  removing 
to  this  county. 

JOSEPH    E.    WYNE.          •     '. 

Kentucky  has  furnished  many  prominent  citizens  of  this  county, 
and  among  the  best  we  regard  Joseph  E.  Wyne,  who,  in  company 
with  Joseph  McCrosky,  another  old  pioneer,  who  departed  this 
life  a  few  years  since,  came  to  this  county  in  1834,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  an  honored  citizen.  He  was  born  in  Columbia, 
Adair  county,  February  12,  1820.  His  parents  were  B.  F.  and 
Mary  A.  (Doyle)  Wyne,  the  former  a  native  of  is"ew  Jersey,  and 
the  latter  of  Ireland,  but  both  having  emigrated  to  Kentucky 
where  they  formed  each  other's  acquaintance  and  were  married 
in  the  town  of  Winchester.  They  were  poor  in  this  world's 
goods,  and  therefore  could  not  give  their  children  such  advan- 
tages as  they  desired ;  Joseph  E.  being  only  permitted  to  attend 
the  common  subscription  schools  of  his  native  State,  which  was 
all  the  means  of  education  that  he  enjoyed;  but  natural  good 
sense  and  a  determined  will  have,  in  a  measure,  overcome  every 
deficiency  in  this  respect. 

When  about  fifteen  years  of  age  his  father  died  with  cholera  in 
Springfield,  Kentucky,  and  his  mother  dying  shortly  after,  left 
him  without  natural  protection.  He  then  went  to  live  with 
Joseph  McCrosky,  and  as  previously  stated,  came  with  him  to 
this  county,  and  settled  on  Camp  Creek,  south  of  Macomb,  where  he 
remained  for  some  four  years,  when,  coming  to  town,  he  engaged 
as  clerk  for  !N".  P.  Tinsley,  Esq.,  continuing  for  some  five  years ; 
when,  in  company  with  C.  A.  Lawson,  Esq.,  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  trade  for  himself.  In  this  trade  he  continued  until 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  507 

about  the  year  1861,  when  he  received  the  appointment  from 
Abraham  Lincoln  as  postmaster  of  Macomb,  which  position  he 
retained  until,  by  accident,  Andrew  Johnson  was  made  president, 
when  Mr.  Wyne's  official  head  was  removed — not  for  any  wrong 
doing  on  his  part  or  complaints  made  by  the  patrons  of  the  office, 
bat  in  consequence  of  his  failure  to  approve  and  cheer  th'e  policy 
of  the  head  of  the  nation. 

Mr.  Wyne  has  always  been  a  man  of  public  spirit,  and  we 
find  him  constantly  tilling  some  local  office,  being  willing  to  sacri- 
fice time  and  the  comforts  of  life  for  the  public  good.  Before  the 
organization  of  Macomb  as  a  city,  he  was  for  several  years  a 
member  of  the  town  Board  of  Trustees,  and  when  the  change 
took  place  he  was  among  the  first  aldermen  elected  from  his 
ward,  and  has  since  been  re-elected  several  times.  He  has  also 
been  Mayor  of  the  city,  Police  Magistrate,  and  for  years  been  a 
member  of  the  School  Board.  In  the  latter  office  he  has  devoted 
much  time,  always  taking  great  interest  in  the  educational  affairs 
of  the  city,  and  the  good  reputation  of  our  public  schools  are  in 
a  great  measure  due  to  him.  Although  the  office  is  a  thankless 
one,  he  labors  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  with  just  as  much 
zeal  as  though  great  pecuniary  benefit  was  derived  from  it. 

As  a  politician,  Mr.  Wyne  first  gave  adhesion  to  the  old  Whig 
party,  and  as  a  follower  of  Henry  Clay,  advocated  the  principles 
enunciated  by  the  immortal  statesman.  During  the  last  fight  the 
Whigs  ever  made  in  this  county,  he  was  their  nominee  for  the 
office  of  County  Clerk,  but  was  defeated  by  Isaac  Grantham, 
Democrat.  On  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  he  es- 
poused its  principles  and  has  ever  since  been  a  faithful  supporter 
of  its  men  and  measures.  In  its  first  campaign  he  received  the 
nomination  for  Circuit  Clerk,  of  the  connty,  but,  of  course  was 
defeated,  the  opposition  to  the  Democracy  being  divided  between 
Republicans  and  Americans.  We  believe  it  is-  due  to  Mr.  Wyne 
that  he  shall  yet  be  honored  by  his  political  associates.  Xo  man 
has  been  more  faithful,  none  have  been  willing  to  sacrifice  more 
than  he  for  the  good  of  the  party.  He  is  honest  and  capable  and 
will  give  satisfaction  in  any  position  to  which  he  may  be  called- 

Mr.  Wyne  has  been  twice  married,  first  with  Miss  Mary  A. 
Walker,  daughter  of  Joseph  M.,  and  Maria  W.  Walker,  in  June, 
1842.  Mrs.  W.  only  lived  a  few  months  after  her  marriage,  de- 
parting this  life  in  March,  1843.  His  next  marriage  was  in  June, 


508  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

1845,  with  Miss  Clarinda  Hays,  daughter  of  Dr.  Chas.  Hays, 
an  early  settler  and  successful  physician  of  Macomb.  Ten  children 
have  been  born  unto  them,  eight  yet  remaining  upon  this  side, 
six  sons  and  two  daughters,  two  having  been  called  to  the  upper 
and  better  world  on  high.  Under  the  ministration  of  Rev.  W. 
K.  Stewart,  who  for  sixteen  years  broke  the  bread  of  life  to  the 
Presbyterian  congregation  in  Macomb,  Mr.  Wyne  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion  in  1839,  and  united  with  that  body,  during  all 
the  intervening  time  to  the  present  he  has  held  connection  with 
it,  for  nearly  thirty  years  serving  as  ruling  elder  and  for  many 
years  as  clerk  of  its  session.  He  is  an  earnest  and  devoted  Christ- 
ian man,  using  the  talents  the  Lord  has  given  him  for  the  pro- 
motion of  his  cause.  In  the  Sunday  School  he  has  been  likewise 
a  faithful  laborer  ever  taking  an  active  part  in  its  work.  May  he 
continue  to  do  his  duty  and  receive  the  crown  in  the  end. 

MK  Wyne  is  a  slimly  built  man  about  five  feet  nine  inches  in 
height,  otgood  address,  pleasant  manners,  and  one  who  enjoys  the 
respects  of  all. 

JOHN    WILEY. 

The  parents  of  John  Wiley — William  and  Betsy  (Vance)  Wiley- 
were  both  natives  of  Pennslvania,  and  had  emigrated  to  Harrison 
county,  Ohio,  about  the  beginning  ot  the  present  century,  settling 
upon  a  farm,  on  which  they  continued  to  reside  until  death  called 
them  away.  The  farm  yet  remains  in  the  family,  three  of  the 
members  yet  living  upon  it.  One  son  who  had  remained  there 
from  his  birth,  died  about  the  year  1875. 

John  Wiley,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  upon  the 
farm  spoken  of  on  the  tenth  day  of  November,  1810,  and  lived 
thereon  with  his  parents  until  he  reached  his  majority,  wThen  he 
rented  a  piece  of  land  and  began  to  farm-  for  himself,  continuing 
in  that  business  for  three  years.  The  two  following  years  he  en- 
gaged in  no  special  calling,  save  for  three  seasons  running  a  thresh- 
ing machine.  He  then  concluded  to  learn  a  trade,  and  for  that 
purpose  went  to  Martinsville,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  with  his 
brother  Thomas  in  the  manufacture  of  threshing  machines,  becom- 
ing quite  proficient  as  a  machinist.  This  brother  was  well  known 
in  McDonough  county,  having  engaged  in  like  business  here,-  and 
also  having  established  the  first  foundry  here. 

After  leaving  the  shop  of  his  brother,  Mr.  Wiley  went  to  Rip- 
ley,  in  the  same  State,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  509 

the  same  machines.  From  Ripley  he  came  to  this  county,  bring- 
ing with  him  twelve  of  the  threshing  machines  manufactured  by 
his  brother,  of  whom  we  have  previously  spoken.  These  were 
the  first  machines  of  the  kind  ever  imported  into  the  county,  and 
were  viewed  with  considerable  wonder  and  curiosity. 

Mr.  Wiley  arrived  in  Macomb,  in  this  county,  the  early  part  of 
the  winter  of  1841,  remaining  here  until  the  thrilling  news  was 
sent  out  that  gold,  in  large  quantities,  had  been  discovered  in  Cali- 
fornia, the  great  Eldorado  of  the  "West.  In  company  with  about 
thirty  others  from  this  county,  he  left  Macomb  on  the  second  day 
of  March,  1840,  for  the  "  diggings."  This  was  the  first  company 
from  the  county.  The  train,  after  a  long  and  tedious  journey, 
arrived  in  the  mines  on  the  third  day  of  August  following.  Mr. 
Wiley  at  once  began  to  mine  along  the  American  and  Trinity 
rivers,  remaining  there  for  about  two  years,  meeting  with  good 
success.  About  this  time  he  was  called  home  ou  business,  intend- 
ing, however,  to  return  to  the  Pacific  slope,  but  this  he  never  did. 

Having  made  the  journey  to  California  overland  with  an  ox 
team,  he  concluded  he  would  return  by  water,  and  therefore  sailed 
from  San  Francisco  in  the  ship  Louisa,  in  January,  1857.  "While 
011  the  Pacific  ocean  their  vessel  was  caught  in  a  severe  storm, 
which  lasted  about  thirty-six  hours,  and  cleared  the  ship  of  all 
her  masts,  and  came  near  sending  her,  with  her  human  cargo,  to 
the  bottom  of  the  great  ocean.  In  consequence  of  the  damage 
done  the  ship  he  was  considerably  delayed  on  the  voyage,  and 
compelled  to  take  passage  on  another  vessel.  Thinking  he  would 
probably  never  have  a  better  opportunity,  he  stopped  for  awhile 
in  Mexico  and  Central  America,  viewing  the  sights  and  scenes  of 
those  tropical  countries,  arriving  in  New  Orleans  in  the  following 
March,  from  which  place  he  came  up  the  Mississippi  river,  in 
due  time  arriving  at  his  home  in  old  McDonough. 

Soon  after  his  return  iiorne  from  California,  in  company  with 
Joseph  Bailey,  a  son  of  the  late  Colonel  W.  W.  Bailey,  Mr.  Wiley 
went  into  the  grocery  business,  continuing  in  that  line  of  trade 
some  two  years.  In  1853,  while  still  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
trade,  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides,  for 
which  he  paid  eleven  hundred  dollars.  It  contains  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  and  is  now  considered  one  of  the  finest  and  best 
improved  farms  in  McDonough  county.  When  Mr.  Wiley  became 
the  purchaser,  it  was  raw,  unbroken,  prairie  land.  It  lies  four 


510  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

miles  east  of  the  city  of  Macomb,  in  Macomb  township.  The 
well  known  Wiley  School  House,  district  number  8,  stands  upon 
the  northeast  corner  of  his  farm. 

In  1842,  the  year  after  his  first  arrival  in  Macomb,  Mr.  Wiley 
formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  W.  Dallam  for  the  purpose  of 
manufacturing  threshing  machines,  reapers,  portable  saw  mills,, 
etc.  The  firm  continued  in  business  some  years  and  gained  a 
wide  reputation,  especially  for  threshing  machines,  a  large  num- 
ber of  which  were  made  and  sold  throughout  the  State.  Mr. 
Wiley  not  only  has  the  honor  of  importing  the  first  into  the 
county,  but  has  the  honor  to  be  the  first  to  engage  in  their  manu- 
facture. Previous  to  this,  all  grain  was  threshed  and  winnowed 
in  the  primitive  way. 

Mr.  Wiley  is  rather  above  medium  height,  of  good  proportion,, 
and  evidently  in  his  younger  days  was  quite  robust  and  muscular. 
His  hair  is  now  quite  gray,  and  his  beard,  which  is  likewise  of 
the  same  color,  is  worn  in  full.  In  temperament  he  is  very  quiet 
and  unexcitable,  allowing  nothing  to  ruffle  him  in  any  way.  As 
a  man  and  a  citizen  he  is  highly  esteemed  by  every  one  having 
the  opportunity  to  know  him.  In  public  affairs,  although  taking 
no  prominent  part,  he  manages  to  keep  posted  in  all  that  is  being 
done  in  the  various  fields  of  science,  politics  and  the  general  news 
of  the  day.  He  has  never  made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  en- 
deavors in  all  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow  men  to  live  up  to  the 
golden  rale,  "Do  unto  others  as  you  would  others  should  do  unto 
you." 

ISAAC    AVEAVER. 

One  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens  of  Prairie  City  is 
Isaac  Weaver,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  13,  1819.  His  parents,  William  and  Polly  (Cromwell)  Wea- 
ver, were  both  natives  of  the  same  State.  His  father  was  born 
February,  1791,  and  still  lives  upon  the  farm  to  which  he  re- 
moved in  1835,  having  purchased  it  of  the  widow  and  heirs  of 
Robert  Reeve,  one  of  whom  afterwards  became  the  wife  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  This  farm  is  understood  to  be  the  oldest 
one  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Fulton  county,  and  was  first  im- 
proved by  Mr.  Reeve,  who  with  his  family  came  to  this  State  in 
1824,  and  built  the  first  cabin  on  the  land  mentioned  the  following 
February.  He  had  previously  traded  his  farm  in  the  State  of 
New  York  for  this  land,  with  the  intention  of  coming  to  this  new 
country,  hoping  to  better  the  condition  of  his  family  ;  but  he  was 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOL'GH  COUNTY.  oil 

only  permitted  to  live  a  short  time,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
hardships  of  the  family  were  very  great.  Having  previously 
associated  with  and  formed  the  habits  of  the  more  cultivated  and 
wealthy  people  of  the  Eastern  States,  it  was  difficult  for  them  to- 
accommodate  themselves  to  the  association  of  pioneers,  and  to 
make  their  living  by  means  known  only  to  that  class,  sometimes- 
being  compelled  to  grind  the  corn  for  their  bread  by  pounding  it 
in  a  wooden  mortar,  and  tc  manufacture  a  part  of  their  clothing 
out  of  the  bark  or  lint  of  wild  nettles  and  buckskin  purchased  of 
the  Indians;  and  being  driven  from  their  home  by  the  Indians, 
and  fleeing  to  the  fort  for  protection. 

The  mother  of  Mr.  AVeaver,  as  well  as  the  mother  of  his  wife, 
Mary  Adams  Reeve,  together  with  their  deceased  children,  all  lie 
buried  upon  the  old  farm. 

During  the  boyhood  days  of  Mr.  AVeaver  the  opportunities  for 
obtaining  an  education  were  limited  where  his  parents  resided, 
and  on  removing  to  a  new  and  thinly  settled  country,  and  having 
to  improve  a  new  farm  at  the  time  he  should  have  been  in  school, 
it  could  not  be  expected  he  should  obtain  a  very  extensive  knowl- 
edge of  books  ;  but  such  was  his  desire  to  learn,  that  even  after 
his  marriage  he  attended  school  for  a  short  time  in  Fulton  county. 
The  knowledge  acquired  in  school  has  served  but  as  a  basis  for 
more  extensive  private  research,  in  which  he  has  acquired  much 
information  in  the  arts  and  sciences  of  the  day. 

Mr.  AVeaver  for  many  years  of  his  life  lived  upon  a  farm,  but  in 
1857  he  came  to  this  county  and  made  his  home  in  the  new  and 
flourishing  town  of  Prairie  City.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  produce 
and  grain  trade,  and  in  company  with  Ezra  Cadwallader  and 
Milton  Foster  he  built  the  first  grain  elevator  in  the  place.  In 
this  business  he  continued  with  varying  success  for  some  fifteen 
years,  when,  through  partnership  associations,  he  met  with  great 
losses,  which  caused  his  retirement. 

In  1865,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace 
which  office  he  yet  retains,  being  re-elected  at  every  recurring 
election.  This  shows  that  the  people  of  his  town  repose  confi- 
dence in  him.  He  has  also  held  the  office  of  Town  Trustee, 
Supervisor,  Assessor,  Commissioner,  and  other  town  offices,  fre- 
quently holding  more  than  one  at  the  same  time.  He  also  holds 
the  office  of  Xotary  Public.  In  politics  he  is  republican,  working 
at  all  times  for  the  success  of  its  principles. 


512  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

On  the  thirteenth  day  of  November,  1838,  Mr.  Weaver  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Harriet  C.  Reeve,  daughter  of  Mary 
and  Robert  Reeve.  Eight  children  have  been  born  unto  them, 
four  of  whom  have  finished  life's  journey  and  taken  up  their  abode 
in  the  "Sweet  bye-and-bye."  Four  yet  live  to  bless  the  hearts  of 
their  parents,  only  one  of  whom  lives  at  home,  three  of  the  num- 
ber having  married  and  now  occupy  homes  of  their  own.  Two  live 
in  Fulton  county,  and  one  in  the  State  of  Iowa. 

In  religious  views,  Mr.  Weaver  inclines  to  favor  those  held  by 
the  Society  of  Friends,  though  never  uniting  formally  with  that 
body,  nor  has  he  ever  heard  a  sermon  or  attended  one  of  their  ser- 
vices. When  but  a  small  boy,  he  read  the  life  of  William  Perm, 
which  made  a  very  favorable  and  lasting  impression  upon  his 
mind.  The  views  therein  set  forth,  as  held  by  Penn,  he  has  al- 
ways thought  to  be  more  in  accord  with  the  teachings  of  the  New 
Testament  than  those  held  or  taught  by  other  sects.  Taking  the 
Bible  as  his  creed,  he  is  content  to  abide  by  its  teachings  as  a  rule 
of  life. 

Isaac  Weaver  is  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height  and  well  propor- 
tioned. 

He  is  a  kind  friend  and  neighbor,  and /enjoys  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  every  one  who  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to  make  his 
acquaintance. 

DR.    BEVERLY    R.    WESTFALL. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  physicians  in  McDonough  county 
is  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch,  Dr.  Beverly  R.  Westfall,  who 
emigrated  to  the  county  in  1846,  and,  save  for  one  year,  has  since 
been  a  continual  resident  of  it. 

Dr.  Westfall  was  born  in  Troy,  Ohio,  on  the  eleventh  day  of 
August,  1854.  His  parents  were  Cornelius  and  Sarah  (Davis) 
Westfall,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of 
New  Jersey,  both  highly  respected  and  intelligent  persons,  for 
many  years  citizens  of  the  county.  Cornelius  Westfall,  the 
father,  died  on  his  farm  near  what  is  known  as  Wolf  Grove, 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  Macomb.  The  mother  also  died  on 
the  same  farm,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her.  The  first  seven 
years  of  the  doctor's  life  was  spent  in  his  native  town,  at  the  ex- 
piration of  which  time  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Thorn- 
town,  Indiana,  which  place  remained  his  home  until  his  removal 
to  Illinois,  in  the  year  above  mentioned.  In  Thorntown  he  was 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  513 

sent  to  the  public  schools,  and  from  thence  to  the  old  Thorn  town 
Seminary,  at  which  institution  he  not  only  mastered  the  branches 
of  a  common  English  education,  but  took  a  regular  course  in 
Latin  and  Greek.  In  this  place  he  also  entered  the  office  and 
read  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  J.  Nesbitt,  one  of  the  best  physicians 
in  the  place. 

In  1846,  Dr.  "Westfall  came  to  Macomb,  arriving  here  in  June 
of  that  year,  a  stranger  in  a  strange  place,  and  with  but  a  five  d©l- 
lar  gold  piece  as  the  extent  of  his  capital,  half  of  which  he  ex- 
pended immediately  for  a  pair  of  shoes,  leaving  but  two  dollars 
and  fifty  cents  with  which  to  begin  the  wrorld.  Securing  a  school 
in  Macomb,  he  continued  to  teach  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  believing  it  "not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,"  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ellen  Hays,  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles 
Hays,  one  of  the  old  pioneer  citizens  and  a  leading  physician  of 
I  the  county.  With  this  estimable  lady  he  yet  happily  lives,  Fif- 
jteen  children  have  blessed  their  union,  nine  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters, all  of  whom  yet  live,  save  the  oldest  son  and  youngest 
daughter,  who  have  passed  on  before,  and  upon  the  other  side 
await  the  re-union  which  will  take  place  by-and-bye. 

While  engaged  in  teaching  in  Macomb,  the  doctor  still  con- 
tinued to  pursue  his  studies  in  medicine,  and  on  his  marriage  re- 
turned to  his  old  home  in  Thorntown,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged 
in  practice  for  about  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
returned  to  Macomb,  and,  as  previously  remarked,  has  made  it 
his  home  ever  since.  Upon  his  return  he  at  once  engaged  in  his 
chosen  profession,  and  for  seven  years,  or  until  1855,  continued  to 
practice  medicine  as  an  old  school  physician,  in  the  meantime 
attending  a  course  of  lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago, 
an  institution  then  in  its  infancy,  from  which  he  received  a  certifi- 
cate of  graduation,  diplomas  not  then  being  given  by  it. 

In  1855,  after  having  given  the  subject  much  thought,  and  a 
thorough  investigation  of  the  principles  governing,  the  doctor 
changed  his  course  of  treatment,  adopting  the  homeopathic  meth- 
od, which  for  twenty-two  years  he  has  since  successfully  prac- 
ticed in  this  place,  securing  a  practice  second  to  but  few  in  the 
State,  and  extending  throughout  this  and  adjoining  counties.  As 
a  physician  he  has  met  with  remarkably  good  success,  especially 
since  he  has  adopted  the  homeopathic  method  of  treatment,  and 
no  physician  in  this  part  of  the  State  ranks  higher  in  the  profes- 
sion, or  among  the  masses  of  the  people.  Having  for  a  number 


514  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

of  years  practiced  as  an  old  school  physician,  he  is  recognized  by 
that  fraternity  as  one  well  posted  in  the  science  of  medicine. 
His  practice  has  always  been  that  of  a  general  one,  confining  him- 
self to  no  special  diseases.  In  order  to  perfect  himself  in  the  sur- 
gery and  become  more  thoroughly  posted  in  the  great  improve- 
ments being  made  in  the  medical  world,  in  1867  he  attended  a 
•course  of  lectures  in  Hahneman  Medical  College,  Chicago,  and 
from  that  institution  received  a  diploma  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
Although  this  diploma  adds  nothing  to  the  skill  of  the  doctor,  it 
yet  shows  that  his  knowledge  was  such  as  to  warrant  the  con- 
ferring of  this  honorary  degree  upon  him  by  an  institution  of 
acknowledged  standing. 

Dr.  Westfall  has  always  taken  considerable  interest  in  agricul- 
tural matters,  and  for  the  past  twenty-one  years  has  resided  upon 
;a  farm,  though  always  retaining  an  office  in  Mocorab  for  the  prac- 
tice of  his  professson.  He  now  resides  upon  a  farm,  two  miles 
jsoutheast  of  the  city,  which  he  keeps  under  the  best  cultivation. 
The  house  in  which  he  resides,  together  with  the  entire  surround- 
ings, is  in  excellent  taste,  and  is  greatly  admired  by  all.  For  the 
promotion  of  agricultural  and  mechanical  arts,  he  has  always  ad- 
vocated and  worked  to  sustain  a  high  reputation  for  our  county 
iairs,  believing  their  success  would  have  a  tendency  to  secure  that 
.end.  He  has  always  been  a  stockholder  and  for  some  years  one 
.of  the  directors  of  the  Stock  Association. 

Realizing  the  necessity  existing  for  the  improvement  of  our 
stock,  especially  the  farm  horse,  Dr.  Westfall  was  the  first  from 
the  county  to  engage  in  the  importation  of  blooded  horses  from 
the  Old  World.  In  1870,  he  crossed  the  ocean  to  France,  and  in 
that  country,  secured  four  as  fine  animals  as  were  ever  imported 
into  the  country.  In  securing  these  horses,  he  experienced  the 
good  fortune  in  having  them  purchased  and  placed  upon  the  ves- 
sel just  a  day  or  two  before  the  Emperor  Napoleon  issued  his 
order  forbidding  any  further  exportation,  and  just  before  the  war 
occurred  which  occasioned  the  overthrow  of  the  empire.  Again, 
in  1873,  the  doctor  returned  to  Europe,  securing  three  more 
equally  as  fine  and  perfect  as  those  first  imported.  In  this  we 
have  the  beginning  of  the  importation  of  fine  stock  from  the  old 
world,  and  an  enterprise  which  has  been  taken  up  by  others  until 
McDonough  county  now  ranks  among  the  first  in  the  State,  with 
respect  to  its  blooded  stock.  Not  only  in  horses,  but  in  fine  cat- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  515 

tie,  does  the  doctor  delight,  and  we  notice  upon  his  farm  a  fine 
herd  of  Jersey  cattle,  which  it  would  take  a  small  fortune  to 
purchase. 

In  school  matters,  Dr.  Westfall  has  also  manifested  great  inter- 
est, and  no  man  stands  ready  to  do  more  for  our  public  and 
private  schools  than  he.  As  an  illustration,  we  will  say  that  by 
right  of  purchase  the  old  McDouough  College  property  fell  into 
his  hands,  and  it  was  earnestly  desired  by  a  certain  party  for  res- 
idence purposes,  but  on  condition  that  a  school  of  high  grade 
should  be  held  in  the  building  for  ten  years,  the  doctor  sold  it  to 
Professor  D.  Branch,  for  five  hundred  dollars  less  than  he  was  of- 
fered tor  it  by  the  other  party.  Would  that  others  would  thus 
show  their  faith  by  their  works. 

Dr.  Westfall,  as  a  citizen,  ranks  high  in  the  community  in 
which  he  has  so  long  lived.  He  is  kind  and  sympathetic,  and 
enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all.  Every  good  work  he  is 
ready  to  help  on  in  every  conceivable  way.  He  has  never  held 
public  office  of  apy  kind,  nor  ever  desired  it,  and  although  strong 
in  his  political  views,  which  are  those  held  by  the  Republican 
party,  he  is  not  yet  so  bigoted  but  that  he  concedes  the  right  of 
others  to  differ  with  him,  while  at  the  same  time  he  can  call  them 
friends.  Religiously,  the  doctor  is  identified  with  the  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church,  having  in  his  infancy  received  the  waters  of 
baptism.  Physically,  the  doctor  would  not  be  regarded  as  robust, 
yet  he  doubtless  stands  as  much  exposure  as  any  man  in  the 
county.  He  is  above  medium  height,  with  light  hair,  auburn 
beard,  worn  full,  and  with  light,  blue  eyes.  We  trust  he  may  yet 
live  to  accomplish  much  good  in  various  ways. 

HON.    E.    K.    WESTFALL. 

Elanthan  Kemper  Westfall,  the  second  son  of  Cornelius  and 
Sarah  (Davis)  Westfall,  was  born  in  Thorntown,  Boone  county, 
Indiana,  on  the  eighth  day  of  January,  1839,  and,  in  company 
with  his  parents,  came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1854,  re- 
maining for  a  few  months  in  the  city  of  Macomb,  going  from 
thence  to  a  farm  about  five  miles  northeast  of  the  city,  where  he 
remained  some  years,  or  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861. 
On  the  first  call  of  the  President  for  troops,  he  responded,  enroll- 
ed himself  as  a  private  in  company  "B,"  Sixteenth  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Volunteers,  commanded  by  the  lamented  Captain  D.  P. 
Wells.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Orderly  Sergeant  oil 


516 

the  twenty-fourth  clay  of  May.  On  the  first  of  October  follow  ing, 
he  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant,  and  again  promoted  First 
Lieutenant,  commission  bearing  date  April  7,  1862.  While  still 
an  Orderly  Sergeant,  he  received  a  furlough  that  he  might  come 
home  and  assist  in  raising  a  company  of  Cavalry  for  the  war,  but 
before  it  was  fully  completed,  he  was  ordered  to  rejoin  his  regi- 
ment. Returning  to  the  seat  of  war,  he  fully  expected  to  receive 
the  promised  commission  in  the  cavalry  company,  but  for  some 
cause  best  known  to  others,  the  commission  never  came.  On  ac- 
count of  ill  health,  Lieutenant  Westfall  was  compelled  to  resign 
on  the  twentieth  of  January,  1862.  While  in  the  service  he  dis- 
charged his  duty  faithfully,  and  had  it  been  his  good  fortune  to 
continue  with  his  regiment,  he  doubtless  would  have  distinguished 
himself  and  received  other  meritorious  promotions. 

Upon  his  return  home,  and  as  soon  as  his  health  would  permit, 
Lieutenant  Westfall  entered  the  office  of  his  brother,  Dr.  B.  R. 
Westfall,  of  Macomb,  for  the  purpose  of.  preparing  himself  for 
the  medical  profession.  He  continued  to  pursue  his  studies  with 
the  doctor  for  some  two  or  three  years,  and  in  the  winter  of  1866- 
67  attended  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Hahneman  Medical  Col- 
lege, Chicago.  In  the  spring  of  1867  he  opened  an  office  in 
Bushnell,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside,  having  built  up 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  his  success  equaling  his  most  san- 
guine expectations.  As  a  physician  he  has  shown  rare  skill  and 
good  judgment  in  the  discernment  and  treatment  of  diseases. 

Dr.  Westfall  is  a  man  of  considerable  public  spirit,  and  takes 
great  pride  in  whatever  tends  to  promote  the  interests  of  his 
adopted  city  and  county.  He  has  been  honored  by  his  townsmen 
and  fellow  citizens  quite  often  since  taking  up  his  residence  in 
Bushnell.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council  of 
Bushnell,  twice  elected  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and 
twice  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Illinois 
Legislature,  first  in  1872,  and  again  in  1876.  In  this  latter  body 
he  was  not  what  is  termed  a  "brilliant  member,"  but  better  still  a 
working  one,  and  in  the  committee  room  would  do  service  that 
would  be  far  more  beneficial  than  that  of  the  "windy  orator"  in  the 
public  hall.  As  a  public  speaker,  he  makes  no  pretensions,  but 
when  necessary  can  speak  his  sentiments  plainly  and  in  unmistaka- 
ble language.  In  the  session  of  1872-3,  he  was  on  the  Committees  on 
Railroad  and  Insurance,  Penitentiary,  and  Fees  and  Salaries,  the 
latter  of  which  he  was  Chairman.  These  committees  were  all  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  517 

considerable  importance.  During  this  session,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered, the  entire  list  of  statutes  of  the  State  were  revised,  and 
therefore  a  vast  amount  of  extra  work  had  to  be  accomplished. 
In  the  session  of  1876-77,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Public  Charities,  and  member  of  the  committees  on  Appropriation 
and  Public  Printing.  The  work  performed  by  the  honorable 
gentleman  during  both  sessions  of  the  Legislature  are  alike  credit- 
able to  himself  and  his  constituents. 

On  the  organization  of  the  8th  regiment,  Illinois  militia,  in 
1876,  Dr.  Westfall  was  chosen  and  duly  commissioned  its  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel.  The  regiment  has  been  uniformed,  duly  armed 
and  equipped,  and  in  drill  would  not  suffer  by  comparison  with 
some  ot  the  old  regiments  of  the  war.  Colonel  Westfall  has 
always  been  in  command. 

In  politics  Colonel  AVestfall  has  always  been  a  "Republican  of 
the  strictest  sect  of  religion,"  its  principles  and  its  aims  ever  being 
dear  to  his  heart,  and  anything  that  seems  to  be  an  abandonment 
of  them  meets  his  most  unqualified  condemnation.  His  zeal  for 
the  party  that  sacrified  so  much  blood  and  treasure  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  Union  is  such  as  to  cause  him  to  forget  self  and  give 
everything  for  its  prosperity.  Honoring  the  party,  he  has  in 
turn  been  honored  by  it  in  his  selection  to  the  responsible  public 
positions  which  he  has  held.  Being  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  by  a 
careful  cultivation  of  the  talents  which  he  undoubtedly  possesses, 
a  bright  future  will  yet  be  before  him. 

Dr.  Westfall  is  rather  above  medium  height,  well  proportioned, 
having  a  good  headj  and  a  kind  heart,  and  enjoys  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  On  the  fourth  day 
January,  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  Curl, 
but  was  only  permitted  to  enjoy  her  society  a  few  months,  she  de- 
parting this  life  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  October  following.  Mrs. 
Westfall  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  died  in  the 
full  assurance  of  faith. 

i 'HARLEM    WILSON. 

We  acknowledge  a  feeling  of  deep  reverence  and  gratitude  to 
the  old  pioneers,  those  who  have  endured  the  hardships,  the  toils 
and  privations  incidental  to  frontier  life,  those  who  have  made 
the  paths  straight,  the  rough  places  smooth,  and  made  the  country 

H— 33 


518 

to  "  blossom  as  the  rose."  Few  men  who  figure  in  these  pages 
have  endured  more  and  labored  harder  to  accomplish  their  ends 
than  Charles  Wilson,  President  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank, 
Bushnell,  Illinois. 

Charles  Wilson  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
the  twentieth  day  of  June,  1813.  His  parents  were  William  S. 
and  Hester  (Ramsey)  Wilson,  the  father  being  Irish  by  birth  and 
the  mother  a  Pennsylvania!!,  though  of  Scottish  descent.  The 
elder  Wilson  came  to  this  country  in  1801,  taking  up  his  abode  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  the 
lady  whom  he  afterwards  wedded,  and  with  whom  he  journeyed 
along  the  pathway  of  life  for  more  than  half  a  century.  He  was 
a  sailor  by  occupation,  and  sailed  the  seas  for  many  years,  and 
made  many  voyages  to  this  country  before  he  determined  on  a 
settlement.  He  departed  this  life  on  the  fourth  day  of  May,  1861, 
aged  eighty-four  years.  His  widowed  companion  survived  him 
some  fourteen  years,  and  on  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1875,  she  too  was  called  to  her  reward  at  the  ripe  old  age  of 
ninety-two.  Both  were  devoted  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  died  in  the  blessed  hope  of  immortality  beyond  the 
grave.  Many  of  the  strong  traits  of  character  and  excellent 
qualities  shown  in  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  inherited  from 
this  Godly  couple. 

As  soon  as  endowed  with  sufficient  strength  Charles  was  bound 
ont  to  work  for  a  neighboring  farmer,  and  until  fifteen  years  of 
age,  the  highest  wages  received  by  him  was  three  dollars  per 
month,  or  thirty-six  dollars  per  year.  This  sum  was  collected  by 
the  father  and  went  toward  the  maintenance  of  the  family. 

When  but  of  eight  years  of  age,  the  parents  of  Charles  re- 
moved from  Pennsylvania-  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  they 
remained  four  years  and  from  whence  they  removed  to  Wayne 
county,  Ohio,  remaining  there  six  years,  when,  believing  it  for 
the  best  to  proceed  farther  west,  where  land  was  plenty  and  cheap, 
they  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  near  the  town  of  Lewistown, 
Fulton  county.  This  was  in  1830 — the  family  arriving  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  town  mentioned,  on  the  twenty-eighth  day 
of  October,  as  the  cold  days  of  winter  was  fast  approaching.  The 
elder  Wilson,  with  his  son  Charles,  who  was  now  a  young  man  in 
his  eighteenth  year,  with  the  strength  of  one  who  had  reached  his 
majority,  commenced  to  look  out  a  location  for  their  future  home. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  519 

But  little  information  conld  be  obtained  from  settlers  with  respect 
to  the  titles  of  the  laud,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  a  selection 
could  be  made.  Being  unable  to  secure  a  house  in  which  to  live, 
they  built  a  hut  of  rails  as  a  temporary  abiding  place,  until  they 
could  cut  and  hew  logs  for  the  erection  of  a  more  suitable  dwell- 
ing, which  they  proposed  to  have  built  at  once. 

As  soon  as  they  decided  upon  what  quarter  section  of  land  to 
locate,  they  proceeded  to  get  out  the  logs  and  prepare  for  the 
erection  of  their  building.  They  had  hauled  upon  the  ground 
quite  enough  for  their  purpose,  when  snow  began  to  fall,  and  con- 
tinuing steadily  for  several  days,  or  until  it  laid  upon  the  ground 
an  average  depth  of  between  three  and  four  feet,  and  occasionally 
in  drifts  as  high  as  eighteen  and  twenty  feet,  obliterating  every 
sign  of  the  location  of  their  proposed  new  dwelling.  Not  a  log 
prepared  for  the  purpose  could  be  seen.  The  family  were  still  in 
tbe  rail  pen — for  it  could  be  dignified  by  no  other  name — and 
there  they  were  compelled  to  remain  during  the  long  winter  that 
followed.  The  snow  laid  upon  the  ground  for  three  months. 
What  their  sufferings  were  during  that  time  pen  cannot  describe, 
and  none  but  the  Great  Father  can  fully  know.  The  cracks  be- 
tween the  rails  were  all  open,  there  being  no  way  by  which  they 
could  be  closed,  and  as  the  snow  fell,  and  for  days  after,  while 
being  drifted  about  by  the  wind,  it  would  blow  into  the  cabin, 
covering  everything  with  its  icy  mantle.  On  awakening  in  the 
morning,  the  family  would  find  themselves  covered  with  snow 
from  three  to  six  inches  in  depth. 

The  family  were  the  possessors  of  two  good  horses  and  several 
head  of  cattle,  but  had  not  provided  food  for  them  for  the  winter, 
although  arrangements  had  previously  been  made  with  a  party 
living  some  seven  miles  north,  for  a  supply  of  corn  for  food  for 
themselves  and  stock.  As  soon  as  the  snow  ceased  falling,  Mr. 
AVilson  and  Charles  hitched  their  team  to  the  wagon  and  started 
after  corn.  The  snow  being  some  ten  or  twelve  inches  above  the 
hubs  of  the  wagon  prevented  it  from  running,  and  therefore  it  was 
dragged  along.  They  soon  discovered  it  would  be  impossible  to 
get  through  with  the  wagon,  or  even  should  do  so  they  never 
could  return  with  grain,  therefore,  they  determined  to  abandon  it 
and  proceed  on  horseback.  They  had  only  with  them  one  sack 
in  which  to  carry  grain,  but  supposed  there  would  be  ho  trouble 
in  borrowing  from  some  one  in  the  settlement  where  they  were 
going.  One  of  the  two  taking  the  lead,  the  other  followed,  and 


520  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

after  several  hours  effort,  arrived  at  their  destination,  but  were 
disappointed  in  not  being  able  to  obtain  another  sack,  and  were 
compelled  to  return  with  but  their  own  full  of  grain.  On  return- 
ing, they  found  their  tracks  almost  obliterated,  but  arrived  at 
home  in  due  time.  The  corn  secured  had  to  be  divided  between 
their  stock,  and  on  the  next  day  the  father  and  son  were  again 
compelled  to  return.  These  journeys  were  continued  in  this  way 
during  the  entire  winter,  their  wagon  remaining  imbedded  in  the 
snow  until  the  following  spring.  In  order  to  obtain  other  food 
for  the  family,  Charles,  who  was  quite  handy  at  all  kinds  of  work,, 
proposed  to  a  neighbor,  who  was  a  great  hunter,  to  repair  some 
bottomless  chairs  for  him  if  he  would  furnish  them  with  fresh 
meat.  The  proposition  was  gladly  accepted  on  the  part  of  the 
neighbor,  and  the  Wilson  family  were  fully  provided  with  veni- 
son, turkeys  and  other  wild  game  at  all  times.  For  bread  they 
made  meal  from  their  corn,  which  they  pounded  in  a  mortar. 
Flour  they  had  none, 

Notwithstanding  the  hardships  of  their  first  winter,  the  family 
were  not  discouraged;  and  when  the  spring  came  they  built  and 
moved  into  their  new  house,  and  began  to  lay  the  foundation  for 
a  competency  secured  in  after  years.  But  it  must  not  be  ex- 
pected that  prosperity  dawned  upon  them  at  once.  Far  from  it. 
Other  toils,  other  privations,  and  other  hardships  had  to  be  en- 
dured. Some  two  or  three  years  after  their  settlement  here,  the 
elder  Wilson  was  pressed  somewhat  on  account  of  debt,  and  that 
it  might  be  paid,  Charles  started  on  foot  for  the  lead  mines  of 
Galena,  where  he  toiled  some  months  for  the  accomplishment  of 
that  end.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  at  that  date  money  was  a 
scarce  article,  there  being  no  market  for  anything  raised.  Galena 
was  then  considered  the  Eldorado  of  the  land. 

In  1832  Mr.  Wilson  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  as  a  pri- 
vate in  Captain  Ball's  company,  from  Fulton  county,  and  in  the 
campaign  following  he  bore  an  honorable  part.  The  battalion  of 
which  his  company  formed  a  part  was  attached  to  the  command 
of  General  Stillman. 

On  the  twentieth  of  March,  1834,  Mr.  Wilson  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Susan  Harris,  daughter  of  John  Harris,  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Fulton  county.  *Mr.  Harris  is  yet  living  at  the  ripe 
old  age  of  one  hundred,  though  now  a  helpless  invalid,  patiently 

*While  this  History  was  in  press,  Mr.  Harris  passed  peacefully  away  to  his  rest. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  521 

awaiting  the  summons  to  join  those  who  have  passed  on  before. 
The  result  of  the  wedded  life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  has  been 
thirteen  children,  eleven  of  whom  yet  live,  and  all  of  whom  are 
married  and  gone  from  the  parental  roof,  but  all  residing  near 
their  place  of  birth,  save  one  who  resides  in  Iowa.  Of  the  thir- 
teen children,  five  were  sons  and  eight  daughters,  two  of  the  latter 
dying  when  quite  young.  A  short  time  after  their  marriage  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wilson  moved  into  Harris  township,  Fulton  county, 
some  six  miles  from  the  present  flourishing  young  city  of  Bushnell, 
and  settled  upon  section  5,  6  north,  1  east,  which  place  they  made 
their  home  until  the  spring  of  1868,  when  they  moved  into  Bush- 
nell where  they  now  reside. 

Charles  Wilson  is  a  self  made  man  in  every  respect.  With  a 
very  limited  education  obtained  from  the  common  schools,  but 
with  a  determined  will  and  strong  heart  and  hands,  he  has  pressed 
forward,  overcoming  every  obstacle  that  arose  in  his  way.  How- 
ever great  the  difficulties  with  which  he  might  be  surrounded,  he 
knows  no  such  word  as  lail,  and  his  example  is  worthy  of  emula- 
tion by  the  young  men  of  to-day.  Without  a  cent  of  capital,  but 
through  his  own  individual  exertions,  he  has  amassed  a  sufficient 
amount  of  this  world's  goods  to  enable  him  to  live  at  ease  until 
called  away  to  join  the  loved  ones  that  have  gone  before.  He  has 
always  been  a  hard  working,  industrious  man,  having  excellent 
physical  powers  and  bein'g  capable  of  great  endurance.  Until  the 
last  two  or  three  years,  or  until  his  retirement  from  the  more  ac- 
tive duties  of  life,  there  seemed  to  be  no  limit  to  his  powers  of  en- 
durance. The  first  mill  stones  used  in  Fulton  county  were  ob- 
tained by  him  from  the  quarries  of  Cass  township  in  that  county. 

Farming  has  ever  been  the  occupation  of  Mr.  Wilson,  and  in 
this  work  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  Through  hard  work 
and  careful  management,  he  has  from  time  to  time  added  to  his 
possessions,  until  he  now  owns  in  the  neighborhood  of  fifteen 
hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  caa  be  found  in  Fulton  and  Mc- 
Donough  counties.  For  many  years  he  has  devoted  considera- 
ble attention  to  raising  stock  for  the  markets,  and  in  this  has  met 
with  the  same  good  success  as  in  other  operations  of  the  farm. 
But  not  only  in  farm  labor  has  success  crowned  his  efforts,  but  in 
the  mercantile  trade  as  well.  In  company  with  S.  A.  Hendee, 
now  of  Bushnell,  he  was  for  several  years  engaged  in  business  in 
Marietta,  Fulton  county. 


522  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

As  previously  remarked,  in  1868  Mr.  Wilson  removed  to  the 
city  of  Bushnell,  in  this  county,  where  he  has  since  continued  to 
reside.  Some  two  years  after,  he  was  quite  active  in  the  organi- 
zation of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  of 
which  institution  he  was  by  its  stockholders  unanimously  elected 
President,  continuing  as  such  to  the  present  time.  In  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  President  of  the  concern,  he  has  shown 
good  executive  abilities  and  admirable  business  management. 
Herein  lies  his  chief  success,  the  executive  abilities  displayed  and 
a  keen  discernment  of  human  nature.  Although  making  no  pre- 
tensions to  refinement,  he  makes  himself  pleasant  and  agreeable 
with  every  one. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  six  feet  three  inches  in  height;  his  hair,  which 
was  once  dark,  is  now  quite  gray ;  blue  eyes,  which  are  yet  full 
of  the  fire  of  youth  ;  a  good  head,  showing  strong  will  and 
determination,  veneration  and  benevolence  prominent.  For  more 
than  thirty  years  he  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  holding  the  offices  of  Steward  and  Trustee  a  great  part 
of  the  time.  In  the  work  of  the  church  he  manifests  consider- 
able interest,  giving  of  his  time  and  means  to  advance  the  Lord's 
cause.  From  boyhood  he  has  been  an  earnest  advocate  of  tem- 
perance ;  the  few  months'  experience  in  the  lead  mines  having 
much  to  do  in  firmly  implanting  former  convictions  upon  his 
mind.  As  a  citizen,  friend  and  neighbor,  no  man  stands  higher 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

HON.    C.    F.    WHEAT. 

Crosby  F.  Wheat  was  born  in  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  April 
11,  1835.  His  parents  are  Luther  Wheat  and  Elmira  (Marion) 
Wheat.  His  earlier  education  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  and  academies  of  his  native  county.  He  removed  to 
Quincy,  Illinois,  in  1858,  where  he  read  law  with  Messrs.  Warren 
&  WTheat.  In  I860  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  moved  to 
Macomb,  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  in  1861,  where,  in  1862,  he 
opened  a  law  office,  and  has  since  resided.  In  1865  he  married 
Mary  A.  Chandler,  daughter  of  Thompson  Chandler,  of  Macomb. 
He  was  attorney  for  the  city  of  Macomb  for  several  years,  was 
elected  State's  Attorney  in  1872,  and  re-elected  in  1876.  As  an 
attoruey  he  stands  at  the  head  of  the  bar  in  the  county,  and  was 
the  choice  of  a  large  number  of  his  associates  in  the  district  for 
the  position  of  Circuit  Judge,  on  the  reorganization  of  districts, 
during  the  past  year. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOFOUGH  COUNTY.  523 

MAJOR  STEPHEN  YOCUM. 

Many  of  the  noble  pioneers  of  McDonough  county  have  quit 
the  scenes  of  their  labor  and  gone  to  their  rest.  Among  the  num- 
ber none  were  more  highly  esteemed  or  beloved  than  Major  Ste- 
phen Yocum,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky, 
on  the  seventeenth  day  of  February,  1800.  His  parents  were 
George  and  Rebecca  (Powell)  Yocum,  natives  of  Virginia,  who 
emigrated  to  Kentucky  before  the  beginning  of  the  present  cen- 
tury, where  they  engaged  in  farming,  and  also,  for  a  number  of 
years,  in  the  milling  business.  Their  family  consisted  of  eleven 
children,  four  boys  and  seven  girls.  As  might  be  inferred,  Mr. 
Yocum  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  in  the  occupation  of  tilling  the 
soil  he  labored  until  called  to  his  rest. 

When  but  a  mere  boy  he  was  put  to  work  in  his  father's  mill 
and  in  that  business  and  assisting  upon  the  farm,  varied  by  a  few 
month's  attendance  in  the  common  school,  his  early  life  was  passed. 
Xo  other  educational  advantages  did  he  ever  enjoy  than  in  those 
of  the  select  schools  of  his  native  state  in  which  only  the  com- 
mon branches  of  an  English  education  were  taught.  But  these, 
together  with  rare  common  sense  and  good  judgment  with  which 
he  was  endowed,  enabled  him  to  live  an  active  and  successful  life. 

Mr.  Yocum  remained  with  his  parents  until  after  he  reached 
his  majority,  when  he  went  forth  into  the  wide  world,  with  noth- 
ing but  a  brave  heart  and  willing  hands,  to  labor  for  himself.  For 
two  years  he  remained  in  Kentucky,  making  his  home  with  a 
married  sister,  when,  thinking  to  better  his  condition  in  life,  he 
turned  his  steps  toward  the  newly-opened  Prairie  State,  and  set- 
tled in  Marion  county ;  where,  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  September, 
1829,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Dorris,  daughter  of  John  Dor- 
ris,  who  emigrated  from  Smith  county,  Tennessee,  to  Marion 
county,  Illinois,  in  1827.  About  four  years  after  their  marriage, 
the  worthy  couple  came  to  make  their  home  in  MeDonough 
county,  arriving  here  in  the  spring  of  1833,  and  settling  in  Xew 
Salem  township,  on  the  north  side  of  Camp  creek;  where,  in  the 
edge  of  the  timber,  he  erected  his  cabin  and  commenced  to  im- 
prove the  land  he  had  entered.  They  were  the  first  couple  to 
settle  upon  the  north  side  of  the  creek  and  to  encroach  upon  the 
broad,  fertile  prairie  which  is  now  dotted  over  with  fine  farm- 
houses and  barns,  being,  without  doubt,  the  wealthiest  portion  of 
the  county.  Mr.  Yocum  settled  upon  section  nineteen,  and  there 


524 

lived  and  labored  the  rest  of  his  life,  rearing  a  large  and  respected 
family,  and  improving  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county.  As  a 
farmer  he  was  eminently  successful,  for,  besides  accumulating 
considerable  wealth,  he  gave  much  to  various  enterprises,  be- 
nevolent and  otherwise.  It  was  well  known  by  all  acquainted 
with  the  man  that  Major  Yocum  never  turned  away 
a  person  in  need.  He  gave  liberally  to  'build  churches 
of  all  denominations.  He  had  a  heart  easily  touched  and  hands 
that  gave  liberally.  He  gave  to  them  whom  he  had  never  seen, 
requiring  only  to  know  that  they  were  in  need  and  worthy.  Sev- 
eral years  before  his  death,  he  received  a  letter  from  an  aged 
couple,  distant  relatives,  who  he  had  never  seen,  and  who  lived 
nearly  a  thousand  miles  away,  asking  assistance.  The  letter  told  of 
their  poverty  and  suffering,  and  as  he  read,  the  tears  flowed  free- 
ly, and,  handing  it  to  his  wife,  he  said:  u  How  much  shall  we 
send?"  During  the  remainder  of  his  life  he  continued  to  provide 
for  them,  and  now  that  he  is  gone,  they  are  not  forgotten  by  his 
loved  companion. 

While  living  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  Mr.  Yocum  was 
elected  Lieutenant  of  the  State  Militia,  and  afterwards  promoted 
to  the  Captaincy.  When  the  war  against  the  celebrated  Indian 
chief,  Black  Hawk,  broke  out,  he  was  by  the  Governor,  commis- 
sioned as  Major,  and  as  such  served  faithfully  during  the  war.  By 
the  title  bestowed  upon  him  he  was  ever  afterward  known. 

Mr.  Yocum  was  always  kind  to  his  children  and  liberally  pro- 
vided for  each.  There  were  in  all,  eleven  children,  nine  girls  and 
two  boys,  one  of  the  latter  dying  in  infancy,  the  other  leaching 
his  majority,  and  enlistingin  the  service  of  his  country  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  C,  84th  regiment  Illinois  volunteers.  He  was 
made  regimental  color  bearer,  and  at  the  battle  of  Stone  Eiver, 
December  31,  1862,  he  laid  down  his  life  in  defense  of  his  country. 
Unfortunately  that  part  of  the  field  was  taken  by  the  enemy  soon 
after  he  fell,  and  whether  they  buried  him  or  his  body  was  interred 
by  others,  was  never  known,  as  his  body  was  never  recovered. 
This  was  a  sad  loss  to  his  loving  parents  who  doted  on  him  as  an 
only  son  and  would  have  sacrificed  anything  to  give  him  Chris- 
tian burial.  A  beautiful  monument  has  been  erected  to  his  mem- 
ory in  the  cemetery  at  Penningtoir  s  Point.  Of  the  girls,  seven  are 
now  living,  all  occupying  the  position  of  wives  of  loving  husbands. 

Major  Yocum  was  very  jovial  in  nature,  and  loved  his  joke  and 
delighted  in  playing  them  upon  both  his  friends  and  un suspect- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  525 

ing  stranger.  To  illustrate  :— One  evening,  a  little  before  dark, 
two  men  rode  up  to  his  cabin  and  asked  the  privilege  of  remain- 
ing over  night.  The  Major  told  them  he  could  accommodate 
them,  provided  they  could  live  on  the  same  article  of  diet  that 
his  family  did — slippery  elm  bark,  at  the  same  time  showing 
them  a  number  of  large  trees  that  had  lately  been  stripped  of  the 
bark.  The  strangers  hardly  knew  what  to  do,  as  they  disliked  to 
impose  upon  a  family  reduced  to  such  a  stress,  but  after  consult- 
ing together,  and  learning  the  distance  was  great  to  another  place 
where  they  likely  would  be  received,  they  concluded  to  remain 
during  the  night,  even  if  compelled  to  eat  slippery  elm  bark. 
Judge  of  their  surprise  when  called  to  supper.  They  sat  down  to 
as  good  a  meal  as  they  ever  enjoyed  in  their  lives.  Another  time, 
the  Major  drove  over  to  the  town  of  Vermont,  arriving  there 
about  time  for  supper.  Driving  in  front  of  the  hotel  he  called 
out  to  the  landlord,  who  at  once  responded  to  the  call.  "  Land- 
lord," said  he,  "can  you  accommodate  a  man  with  a  night's 
lodgings  who  is  without  money,  and  who  is  compelled  to  leave 
home  to  obtain  something  for  wife  and  children,  who  for  weeks 
have  had  nothing  to  eat  but  slippery  elm  bark  ?  "  "Yes,"  replied 
the  landlord,  "  drive  around  to  the  barn,  feed  your  horses,  and 
then  come  to  the  house."  After  a  good  night's  rest  and  a  warm 
breakfast,  the  Major  went  out  to  the  barn,  and  getting  his  team, 
again  drove  around  to  the  front  of  the  hotel  and  called  out  the 
landlord.  "  Landlord,"  said  he,  "lam  ever  so  much  obliged  to 
you  for  the  tavor  you  have  shown  me,  and  it  only  wife  and  child- 
ren could  have  enjoyed  your  hospitality,  I  should  be  happy.  To 
think  of  them  being  compelled  to  eat  slippery  elm  bark  while  I 
was  here  living  on  the  fat  of  the  laud  is  terrible  to  think  of.  But, 
landlord,  I  will  always  remember  you,  and  now  I  want  to  know 
what  you  will  charge  me  for  what  I  have  had.  I  may  have  money 
some  day,  and  would  like  to  pay."  The  landlord  assured  him  he 
would  take  nothing;  he  was  welcome  to  what  he  had  ;  that  he  would 
gladly  do  something  for  his  wife  and  children.  "But,  landlord,  I 
want  to  know,  because  I  may  be  able  to  pay  you  sometime."  The 
landlord  then  named  a  small  sum.  Pulling  a  large  wallet  from  an 
inside  pocket,  and  exhibiting  u  roll  of  bills,  the  Major  said :  "Well, 
landlord,  I  guess  I  might  as  well  pay  now,  and  then  I  will  have  it 
oft  my  mind/'  The  landlord  was  afterwards  heard  enquiring  of 
Joab  Mershon,  who  that  crazy  man*  was  that  talked  of  living  on 
slippery  elm  bark  and  had  a  pocket  full  of  money. 


526  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Major  Yocura  was  a  man  of  medium  height,  well  built,  in  his 
younger  days  being  rather  thin,  but  becoming  portly  with  age  ; 
possessed  a  quick  and  active  mind,  strong  will,  and  tender  heart. 
He  never  made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  always  lived  a  good 
moral  life,  complying  with  the  golden  rule  in  doing  unto  others  as 
he  would  others  should  do  unto  him.  As  a  husband  and  father  he 
was  kind  and  affectionate;  as  a  neighbor,  obliging;  as  a  cit- 
izen, enterprising  and  liberal.  He  departed  this  life  on  the 
twenty-second  day  of  October,  1874. 

His  funeral  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Campbell,  a  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  minister,  and  his  remains  were  consigned  to 
the  tomb  at  Pennington's  Point,  this  county.  His  loss  was  deeply 
felt  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  all  over  the  county,  as  well  as 
elsewhere.  His  good  wife  still  survives  him.  None  can  tell  how 
much  he  is  missed  by  her  who  for  nearly  fifty  years  traveled  with 
him  the  journey  of  life.  Mrs.  Yocum  is  now  in  her  seventieth 
year,  and  enjoys  moderately  good  health.  She  has  been  a  faith- 
ful wife  and  a  loving  mother,  and  enjoys  the  love  of  all  who  are  so 
fortunate  as  to  know  her.  For  fifty-five  years  she  has  been  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  unit- 
ing at  the  age  of  fourteen  with  the  Dry  Fork  church,  in  Sumner 
county,  Tennessee.  For  a  number  of  years  her  membership,  in 
this  county,  was  with  the  Walnut  Grove  C.  P.  church,  but  at 
present  she  is  connected  with  the  church  at  Bardolph.  Mrs. 
Yocum  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  William  Harlau, 
who  resides  upon  the  old  homestead,  and  is  gently  passing  down 
life's  river,  fearing  naught,  but  ready  when  the  summons  come  to 
join  the  loved  ones  on  the  other  side  of  the  River  of  Death. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  527 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

RELIGIOUS. 

In  seeking  a  new  home  at  the  present  day,  the  question  is  al- 
most invariably  asked  as  to  what  are  the  religious  influences  in 
the  community  to  which  it  is  desired  to  emigrate.  A  community 
in  which  the  school-house  and  the  church  find  a  special  recogni- 
tion will  always  be  selected  in  preference  to  the  one  in  which 
these  are  not  found.  Men  of  the  world  recognize  the  fact  that 
education  and  Christian  institutions  are  the  handmaids  of  gen- 
eral thrift  and  prosperity.  Improvements  in  the  manners,  tastes, 
and  moral  status  of  the  people,  follow  closely  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel.  Says  Ford,  in  his  History  of  Illinois  : 

"As  to  the  practice  of  attending  church  on  Sunday,  I  am  confi- 
dent that  it  produced  these  effects  [the  improvement  in  dress, 
manners,  etc.].  I  have  observed  very  carefully  in  the  course  of 
thirty-five  years  spent  upon  the  frontiers,  that  in  those  neighbor- 
hoods where  the  people  habitually  neglect  to  attend  public  wor- 
ship on  Sundays,  such  improvements  rarely,  if  ever,  take  place. 
In  such  places,  the  young  people  feel  no  pride,  and  do  not  desire 
improvement.  They  scarcely  ever  throw  aside  their  every-day, 
rough  apparel  to  dress  up  neat  and  clean  on  Sunday.  On  that 
day  the  young  men  are  seen  with  uncombed  heads,  unshorn  beards, 
and  unwashed  linen,  strolling  in  the  woods  hunting,  or  on  the 
race  course,  or  at  a  grocery  contracting  habits  of  intoxication,  or 
lounging  sullenly  and  lazily  at  home.  The  young  women,  in  ap- 
pearance, dress,  manners  and  intelligence,  are  the  fit  companions 
for  their  brothers.  Sunday,  to  them,  brings  no  bright  skies,  no 
gladness,  no  lively  or  cheerful  thoughts,  no  spirits  renovated  by 
mixing  in  the  sober,  decent,  quiet,  but  gay  assemblage  of  youth 
and  beauty.  Their  week  of  labor  is  not  cheered  by  anticipations 


528  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

of  the  gay  and  bright  fete  with  which  it  is  to  close.  Labor 
through  the  week  is  to  them  a  drudgery ;  and  is  performed  with 
surliness  and  grudging;  and  their  Sabbaths  are  spent  in  heedless, 
sleepy  stupidity.  The  young  people  of  both  sexes  are  without 
self-respect,  and  are  conscious  of  not  deserving  the  respect  of 
others.  They  feel  a  crashing  and  withering  sense  of  meanness 
and  inferiority,  mingled  with  an  envious  malignity  towards  all 
excellence  in  others  who  exhibit  an  ambition  for  improvement. 
Such  neighborhoods  are  pretty  certain  to  breed  up  a  rough,  vi- 
cious, ill-mannered  and  ill-natured  race  of  men  and  women." 

The  early  settlers  of  this  county  were  especially  blessed  with 
respect  to  religious  influences.  The  sound  of  the  hammer,  used 
in  the  erection  of  the  first  cabin,  had  hardly  died  away  before  the 
minister  of  the  gospel  made  his  appearance.  As  recorded  else- 
where, a  few  families  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  present 
town  of  Industry  in  1827,  forming  what  was  long  known  as  "Car- 
ter's Settlement."  In  May,  1828,  Elder  John  Logan,  then  in  con- 
nection with  what  is  now  known  as  the  Regular  Baptists,  settled 
in  this  place,  living  for  the  first  six  or  eight  months  in  the  old 
block  house,  situated  on  the  farm  of  William  Carter.  In  this 
house  he  preached  the  first  sermon  ever  preached  in  the  county, 
some  time  in  June  of  the  same  year ;  about  the  same  time  he 
there  organized  the  first  Sunday  School  in  the  county. 

Elder  Logan  was  a  hard-working,  zealous,  Christian  man,  and 
spent  much  time  in  laboring  for  his  master.  For  many  years  he 
travelled  from  settlement  to  settlement,  in  what  is  known  as  the 
Military  Tract,  as  well  as  in  regions  beyond,  preaching  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  the  first  missionary  appointed  by  the 
Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  re- 
ceiving as  salary  the  munificent  sum  ot  one  hundred  dollars  per 
year.  For  accepting  this  appointment  he  was  excluded  from  the 
fellowship  of  the  church  in  which  he  held  membership,  and  from 
the  association,  but,  in  connection  with  others,  he  organized 
another  congregation,  continuing  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  to  the  salvation  of  many  souls.  He  was  instrumental  in 
organizing  many  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Churches  in  this  sec- 
tion, and  his  name  is  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  all  who 
had  the  pleasure  of  forming  his  acquaintance.' 

For  the  following  highly  interesting  and  graphic  sketch  of  the 
Regular  Baptist  denomination,  we  are  indebted  to  Elder  I.  N". 
Van  Meter : 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  529 

REGULAR    BAPTIST  S — 0  LD  SCHOOL. 

While  the  Old  School,  or  Regular  Baptists,  are  strong  iu  num- 
bers, influence  and  respectability  in  some  other  parts  of  this 
State,  and  more  particularly  in  some  of  the  other  States,  and  have 
some  very  ably  edited  papers,  yet,  in  all  McDonough  county  they 
make  but  a  poor  show  as  to  numbers,  and  as  to  their  standing  and 
influence  in  civil  society  they  claim  only  their  proportionate  part 
with  the  rest  of  the  community. 

Elder  John  Logan,  a  Baptist  minister,  preached  the  first  gospel 
sermon  ever  heard  in  McDonough  county,  at  what  date  I  am  not 
able  to  learn,  but  in  the  month  of  November,  1831,  Elder  Logan 
and  Elder  Stephen  Strickland  constituted  a  Baptist  Church  in 
Bethel  township,  named  Union,  composed  of  ten  members — four 
males  and  six  females.  At  that  time  the  Baptists  of  the  western 
country  generally  went  by  the  name  of  United  Baptists.  The  cir- 
cumstances leading  to  the  adoption  of  the  name  United,  I  shall 
not  attempt  to  rehearse,  as  I  consider  it  unnecessary  in  this  brief 
article.  I  will  simply  state  this  much  about  the  appellation 
United  Baptist :  That  in  some  of  the  western  States  about  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century,  the  "regular"  and  "separate" 
branches  of  the  Baptist  denomination  united  together  under  the 
name  of  the  United  Baptists,  and  the  early  settlers  of  this  county 
who  maintained  Baptist  sentiments,  were  organized  under  this 
name.  The  reasons  which  led  this  little  Church  the  next  year  to 
change  her  name  from  United  to  that  of  Regular  Baptist,  as  well 
as  many  other  Churches  in  the  south  and  west,  I  shall  briefly 
state  presently. 

The  names  of  the  constituents  of  Union  Church  are  as  follows  : 
John  Gibson,  Xancy  Gibson,  William  Stephens,  Sarah  Stephens, 
James  Edmondston,  Polly  Edmondston,  Richard  Morris,  Abigal 
Ferguson,  Cassanda  Morris  and  Sarah  C.  Palmer.  Elders  Logan 
and  Strickland  do  not  appear  to  have  met  with  this  little  church 
often  after  they  organized  her,  but  in  July,  1832,  Thomas  II. 
Owen,  a  licentiate,  visited  and  preached  to  them.  Owen  located 
in  Hancock  county,  and  was  afterward  ordained  a  minister,  and  be- 
came a  man  of  ability.  He  represented  his  county  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  Illinois  one  or  more  terms,  then  emigrated  to  Zene 
Zene,  Cal.,  where  he  still  lives,  and  is  able  to  preach  and  write 
some  to  the  edification  of  the  saints.  John  Gibson,  one  of  the 
constituents  of  this  church,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  the 


o30  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

county,  and  located  at  an  early  date  on  the  road  from  Macornb  to 
Quincy,  where  he  resided  till  his  death,  April  22,  1869.  "  Uncle  " 
John  Gibson  was  as  well  known  among  the  Baptists  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  as  any  other  private  member.  He  had  much 
intercourse  with  them,  his  doors  always  open  to  receive  them,  and 
on  two  occasions  of  our  annual  associations  being  held  near  him, 
he  fed  over  two  hundred  persons,  and  also  lodged  them  in  his 
house  and  in  his  barn,  often  telling  his  brethren,  in  his  jovial  way, 
that  the  "soft  side  of  a  board  was  good  enough  for  a  Hardshell 
Baptist." 

In  1832  the  church  called  Elder  William  Bradley  to  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  same.  Early  in  the  fall  of  1832  this  church  sent 
messengers  t©  the  Spoon  River  Association,  and  was  received  into 
her  correspondence  and  fellowship,  although  she  was  composed  of 
"Regular"  Baptist  churohes,  associated  together  for  mutual  edifi- 
cation and  correspondence.  The  little  church  of  Union  in  No- 
vember of  the  same  year  considered  the  propriety  of  changing 
the  name  by  which  she  was  known  from  United  to  Regular  Bap- 
tist, and  the  change  was  made  by  unanimous  consent.  Her  rea- 
sons for  dropping  the  name  United  and  assuming  the  name  Regu- 
lar she  believed  to  be  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant  the 
change  of  this  qualifying  appellative  attached  to  what  was  orig- 
inally the  Baptist  Church.  First,  she  found  that  the  articles  of 
faith  of  the  Association  of  the  Regular  Baptist  churches  were 
substantially  the  same  as  her  own ;  secondly,  she  had  learned  to 
her  deep  sorrow  and  grief  that  many  bearing  the  name  of  United 
Baptist  Churches  had,  as  she  verily  believed,  departed  from  the 
faith  and  practice  of  the  gospel,  and  hence  she,  for  the  sake  of 
consistency,  harmony  and  good  order,  took  the  name  of  Regular 
Baptist  by  mutual  consent.  In  doing  this,  however,  she  did  not 
change  a  single  article  of  her  faith,  or  a  single  clause  in  her  rules 
of  decorum.  And  what  is  here  said  of  the  Union  Church  in 
dropping  the  United  and  assuming  the  name  Regular  Baptist  may 
be  said  of  many  similar  ones  throughout  the  South  and  West,  and 
even  elsewhere. 

The  Baptist  Church  was  once  a  unit,  and  love,  and  peace,  and 
fellowship  abounded  among  our  people  ;  but  now,  the  name  "Bap- 
tist" is  not  understood  by  the  community  without  a  pre-fix  to 
distinguish  the  kind  of  Baptist  intended  by  the  speaker  or  writer. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  531 

With  due  deference  and  respect  to  the  opinions  of  all  other  de- 
nominations of  profesvsed  Christians  the  Regular  Baptist  Church 
(in  many  places  called  Primitive  Baptists,  and  Old  School  Baptists,) 
claim  to  be  a  copy  of  the  original  gospel  churches  of  the  New 
Testament,  in  doctrine  and  practice.  She  acknowledges  the  Holy 
Scriptures  as  her  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  and  as  being  a 
sufficient  rule  for  her  till  the  end  of  time ;  hence  she  looks  upon 
all  the  modern  inventions  and  societies  of  men,  in  the  things  of  re- 
ligion, as  being  subversive  of  the  peace  and  order  of  the  church, 
and  as  unspeakable  abominations  in  the  sight  of  God.  I  do  not 
intend,  in  this  brief  notice  of  our  very  limited  number  of  mem- 
bers in  this  county,  to  enter  into  the  discussion  of  theological 
questions,  but  for  the  information  of  those  who  are  not  acquainted 
with  the  faith  and  practice  of  the  Regular  Baptists,  and  for  the 
perusal  of  those  who  shall  succeed  this  generation,  I  will  merely 
state  that,  as  a  general  rule,  our  churches  are  opposed  to  her 
members  joining  secret  societies,  or  any  religious  society  where 
money  is  required  to  secure  membership  or  office.  They  are  op- 
posed to  the  modern  system  of  preaching  under  contract  for  mon- 
ey ;  to  theological  schools  for  the  education  of  ministers ;  the  re- 
ligious festivals  for  the  raising  of  funds  for  church  purposes,  etc., 
believing  these,  and  many  others  of  modern  invention,  are  innova- 
tions upon  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  have  a  tendency  to  bring  the 
standard  of  Truth  into  disrepute,  and  lead  to  infidelity.  But  they 
as  a  body,  do  not  make  political  opinions,  or  any  other  more  sec- 
ular concern,  or  worldly  employments,  a  test  of  church  fellow- 
ship, or  a  bar  against  any;  on  the  contrary,  they  most  cordially 
invite  all  who  love  God,  and  are  willing  to  obey  the  order  of  the 
house,  to  come,  and  go  with  them. 

In  1833,  Elder  Micajah  B.  Rowland  joined  the  Union  Church 
by  letter,  and  soon  became  pastor  of  the  church,  and  was  released 
from  it  in  1835.  He  afterward  removed  to  Iowa,  and  continued 
to  preach  until  he  was  worn  out  with  old  age. 

In  1835,  Samuel  L.  Dark,  a  licentiate,  was  received  by  letter, 
and  was  ordained  in  1840.  He  now  resides  near  Brooklyn, 
Schuyler  county,  and  is  still  busily  engaged  in  proclaiming  the 
gospel  far  and  near.  There  is  something  very  peculiar  in  the 
conversion  of  this  man.  In  1831  he  was  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
under  General  Duncan,  and  being  from  Schuyler  county,  and  be- 
ing unsurpassed  for  wit,  humor  and  fun,  he  was  called  the  Schuy- 


532  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

hr  County  Fool-Killer,  generally  among  the  camps ;  and  having 
a  wonderful  memory  and  a  great  tact  at  mimicry,  he  was  fre- 
quently engaged  in  preaching  the  funeral  of  dead  horses  and 
mules.  While  encamped  in  the  bottom  where  the  city  of  Rock 
Island  now  stands,  he  was  engaged  in  the  funeral  services  of  a 
defunct  mule  ;  and  during  his  solemn  appeals  to  heaven,  amidst  a 
crowd  of  soldiers,  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  strong  convictions 
for  his  sins  and  blasphemies,  and  never  found  rest  until  he  found 
it  at  the  feet  of  Christ.  Elder  D.  has  preached  so  much  in  this 
county,  and  for  a  while,  I  believe,  resided  in  it,  that  I  feel  justi- 
fied in  giving  this  remarkable  incident  in  his  life.  He  still  has  a 
retentive  memory,  and  is  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament. 
The  little  band  steadily  increased  in  numbers,  holding  their  meet- 
ings in  private  houses,  until  finally  they  were  enabled  to  build  a 
house  a  few  miles  southeast  of  Middletown. 

In  1838  Elder  Robert  Mays  joined  them  by  letter,  and  was  for 
a  while  pastor  of  the  church.  His  widow  still  survives,  residing 
in  Iowa,  aged  over  ninety,  but  has  been  blind  for  several  years. 

In  1838  Elder  John  Driskill  joined  them  by  letter  and  became 
their  pastor,  and  remained  with  them  till  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1857  or  1858. 

Elder  George  Tracy,  of  Hancock  county,  was  pastor  of  the 
church  for  a  few  months,  and  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  May, 
1858,  he  dropped  dead  at  the  saw  mill  at  Tucker  Town.  He  was  a 
worthy  man,  and  much  missed  after  his  decease. 

In  September,  1858,  the  writer  of  this  sketch  became  pastor  of 
the  little  church,  and  sustains  that  relation  to  it  up  to  the  present 
time;  the  last  few  years,  however,  Elder  Jacob  Castlebury  and 
Elder  T.  !N".  Frazee,  of  Plymouth,  have  generally  attended  half  of 
the  meetings.  Elder  Frazee,  who  was  an  able  and  worthy  brother, 
died  in  March,  1873. 

This  church  has  met  in  the  village  of  Middletown  for  many 
years,  and  has  recently  built  a  new  house  of  worship.  She  has 
never  numbered  at  any  one  time,  perhaps,  over  thirty-five  or  forty 
members,  but  has  dismissed  by  letter,  from  time  to  time,  enough 
members  to  form  another  respectable  church  or  two,  who  have 
moved  out  of  her  bounds.  Enough  of  her  members  have  left  the 
militant  state  and  gone  to  the  triumphant,  to  form  a  good  sized 
congregation,  as  she  has  been  organized  nearly  forty-five  years. 
She  has  now  thirty-seven  communicants,  all  in  peace. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  533 

Antioch  Church  of  Ecgular  Baptists.— This  little  church  was 
organized  in  Middletown  in  February,  1841,  at  which  time  the 
rnion  Church  held  her  meetings  a  few  miles  southeast  of  there. 
Elders  T.  H.  Owen  and  Moses  Frazee  officiated  in  the  constitution 
of  this  church.  But  four  persons  were  ready  to  go  into  the  organ- 
ization at  the  time  as  a  nucleus  around  which  others  were  ex- 
pected soon  to  gather.  The  constituents  were  John  McCormick, 
Parthena  McCormick,  William  D.  Stevens,  and  Holly  Edmonstou. 
Immediately  after  they  were  organized  six  others  were  added  to 
their  number,  and  they  afterward  made  a  reasonable  growth.  In 
April  of  the  same  year  Elder  Owen  became  pastor  of  the  church, 
and  the  same  year  she  connected  herself  with  the  Salem  Associa- 
tion of  churches,  which  included  parts  of  Hancock,  Adams  and 
Brown  counties.  In  1843  she  built  a  house  of  worship  in  Mid- 
dletown, where  she  held  her  regular  meetings,  attended  by  Eider 
Owen  and  occasionally  by  Elder  Frazee.  Finally,  however,  they 
found  themselves  deprived  of  a  pastor,  and  becoming  satisfied 
that  the  labors  of  one  could  not  be  secured,  they  consulted  to- 
gether and  mutually  agreed  to  dissolve  the  organization  by  giving 
each  other  letters  of  dismission  to  join  other  churches.  This  was 
done  in  October,  1849;  since  which  the  members  have  united  else- 
where, the  most  of  them  joining  the  Union  Church,  now  meeting 
in  Middletown.  John  McCormick,  one  of  her  constituents,  came 
from  Kentucky  in  1835  or  1836,  and  has  been  for  many  years  liv- 
ing with  his  second  wife,  both  estimable  people,  and  the  old  gen- 
tleman is  now  largely  over  eighty,  but  is  able  to  attend  to  his  own 
business.  Another  one  of  the  constituents,  William  D.  Stevens, 
and  his  estimable  lady,  are  the  parents  of  the  editor  of  the  Ma- 
comb  Independent.  This  couple  are  both  living  near  Colchester. 

Besides  these  two  organizations,  there  have  been  one  or  more 
churches  constituted,  which  had  similar  Articles  of  Faith,  to 
those  of  the  present  Regular,  or  Old  School  Baptists,  but  have 
since  gone  with  the  New  School  party. 

The  Regular  Baptists  have  now  but  one  church,  which  meets 
regularly  within  the  county,  but  there  are  churches  of  our  order 
holding  regular  sessions  in  all  the  adjoining  counties,  so  that  some 
of  the  members  of  at  least  four  churches,  which  meet  out  of  the 
county,  reside  in  this  county.  Our  entire  number  of  communi- 
cants, resident  in  the  county,  do  not,  perhaps,  reach  over  sixty. 

H— 34 


534  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  writer  is  the  only  Regular  Baptist  minister  now  perma- 
nently residing  in  the  county.  He  came  from  Kentucky,  and 
located  in  Macomb  township  in  March,  1855.  He  attends  four 
churches  monthly,  one  near  Jacksonville,  one  near  La  Harpe,  one 
at  Greenbush  and  one  at  Middletown,  besides  much  other  travel- 
ing to  special  meetings. 

Our  aged  brother,  Elder  John  B.  Moore,  owns  a  farm  in  the 
south  part  of  this  county,  but  is  spending  the  most  of  the  eve- 
ning of  his  life  visiting  the  churches  and  his  many  friends  in  the 
northwest. 

This  old  pioneer,  and  veteran  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  has  trav- 
eled on  horseback  a  distance  that  would  belt  our  globe  more  than 
three  times  around. 

Wishing  you  success  in  your  History  of  McDonough  County, 
the  above  brief  sketch  is  submitted. 

ISAAC  ET.  VAN  METER. 

Ufacomb,  Illinois,  Jane,  1876. 

Elder  VanMeter,  the  writer  of  the  above,  is  well  known  through- 
out McDonough  and  surrounding  counties  as  an  estimable  Chris- 
tian gentleman,  one  having  the  cause  of  his  Master  at  heart. 
His  labors  are  very  arduous,  but  he  does  not  complain,  believing 
the  reward  will  come  bye-and-by. 

CHRISTIAN. 

Following  closely  the  Baptists,  this  earnest  body  of  disciples 
made  their  appearance,  the  first  preaching  being  in  the  year 
1831,  by  Elders  Bristow  and  Long.  They  now  number  nine 
congregations,  with  a  membership  of  1,121.  The  religious  views 
of  the  denomination  are  now  so  well  known  it  is  useless  to  give 
them  in  this  place.  In  numbers,  in  the  county  they  are  second 
among  the  various  denominations.  We  give,  in  the  order  of  or- 
ganization, short  sketches  of  the  various  congregations. 

Blandinsville  Christian  Church. — This  is  the  oldest  church  of 
the  denomination  in  the  county,  and  w&s  formerly  known  as  the 
Liberty  Church,  situated  a  few  miles  from  the  town.  It  was 
organized  in  the  year  1832.  In  1849,  by  vote,  it  was  removed  to 
Blandinsville.  Since  locating  here  it  has  had  it  seasons  of  pros- 
perity and  seasons  of  adversity.  During  the  war  it  was  somewhat 
divided  on  that  question,  and  bitter  feelings  engendered  then 
brought  forth  imperfect  fruit.  The  following  named  have  acted 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  535 

as  pastors  of  the  congregation :  Elders  Long,  Rigdon,  Eads, 
Dodge,  Patrick  Murphy,  Bedford  Murphy,  Lieurance,  Coffee, 
Hallam,  Trickett,  Leek,  Goodnight.  The  membership  is  now 
about  200.  Their  church  property  is  valued  at  $1,500.  Amount 
raised  per  year  for  all  church  purposes,  $750,  of  which  $600  is 
paid  the  pastor.  Their  Sunday  School  numbers  100,  with  aver- 
age attendance  o£  65,  and  annual  contributions  of  $30. 

Macomb  Christian  Church. — The  first  discourse  ever  delivered 
by  a  Disciple  in  Macomb,  was  by  Elder  Livy  Hatch! tt,  at  the 
house  of  David  Clarke,  in  the  year  1835.  Elder  H.  came  to  Ma- 
comb and  endeavored  to  get  the  use  of  some  public  building,  but 
was  refused  on  account  of  his  supposed  heterodoxy.  Mr.  Clarke, 
who  had  read  much  of  the  writings  of  Alexander  Campbell,  and 
who  subscribed  generally  to  his  views,  offered  his  house,  which 
was  accepted.  Xo  special  results  followed  the  preaching,  but  it 
was  supposed  the  ugood  seed"  was  sown,  which  brought  forth 
fruit  in  after  years. 

By  1845  quite  a  number  of  disciples  had  gathered  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Macomb,  and  they  resolved  to  organize,  if  possible. 
They  sent  for  Elder  Davenport,  of  Walnut  Grove,  now  Eureka, 
III.,  who,  not  being  able  to  come,  sent  A.  J.  Kane,  then  a  young 
Evangelist.  Elder  Kane  came,  and,  securing  the  old  court  house, 
preached  with  such  force  and  power  as  to  turn  twenty-nine  souls 
to  the  Lord. 

Dr.  Young  organized  the  congregation  September  16th,  1845, 
with  seventeen  members,  which,  adding  the  twenty-nine  obtained 
under  Elder  Kane's  preaching,  made  a  band  of  forty-six  earnest 
disciples. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  seventeen  mem- 
bers :  Benjamin  F.  Martin,  William  H.  Franklin,  James  S. 
Palmer,  James  Clarke,  William  B.  Pile,  Hannah  B.  Pile,  William 
Maxwell,  Lucy  Maxwell,  Elizabeth  G.  Palmer,  George  Booth, 
Isabella  Booth,  Lucy  Beard,  Margaret  Broaddus,  Emily  J. 
Sweeney,  Sarah  Bacon,  Rachel  Hampton,  Maria  J.  Franklin. 

The  following  officers  were  chosen  :  B.  F.  Martin  and  W.  H. 
Franklin,  Elders— both  of  whom  are  Elders  of  the  Church  at  the 
present  time;  James  S.  Palmer  and  James  Clarke,  Deacons. 

No  regular  preaching  was  had  for  some  months,  but  the  congre- 
gation met  regularly  upon  the  Lord's  day  to  break  bread. 


536  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  following  named  have  served  as  pastors  of  the  congrega- 
tion :  Elders  Livy  Hatchett,  W.  W.  Hopkins,  W.  P.  Shockey,  W. 
O.  Miller,  Samuel  Lowe,  J.  C.  Reynolds  (about  eleven  years),  J, 
II.  Garrison,  P.  K,  Dibble,  J.  H.  Smart,  and  G.  W.  Mapes. 
Several  successful  revivals  have  been  enjoyed  by  the  church 
under  the  preaching  of  such  men  as  A.»  J.  Kane,  William 
Brown,  Ziba  Brown,  William  J.  Houston,  Dr.  Hopkinson,  John  S. 
Sweeney,  Samuel  Lowe,  J.  C.  Reynolds,  Dr.  Dunkeson,  D.  R. 
Lucas,  P.  K.  Dibble  and  J.  II.  Smart.  Since  the  organization 
eight  hundred  and  seventy  persons  have  united  with  this  congre- 
gation, making  an  average  of  twenty-nine  per  y^ar. 

The  church  building  is  on  Carroll  street,  east  of  Lafayette.  It 
was  erected  in  1845,  and  has  been  in  constant  use  ever  since.  It 
is  the  oldest  church  structure  now  standing  in  Macomb.  The 
value  of  church  property  is  $3,500. 

W.  H.  Franklin,  B.  F.  Martin,  J.  C.  Reynolds  and  J.  T.  Webb, 
elders  ;  J.  L.  Russell,  S.  P.  Danley,  C.  S.  Churchill,  W.  S.  Mc- 
Clelland and  Joseph  Stover,  deacons.  The  average  annual  contri- 
bution, $1,500.  J.  S.  Gash,  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school, 
which  has  an  average  attendance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
scholars. 

Bedford  Christian  Church. — This  congregation  was  organized 
April  7,  1850,  by  Elder  Milton  Dodge,  with  the  following  mem- 
bers :  Richard  Brightwell,  Eliza  Brightwell,  Elizabeth  Bright- 
well,  Charles  Bradshaw,  John  Gibson,  Elizabeth  Johnson,  Benja- 
min Moore,  Margaret  Moore,  Robert  McCaully,  Margaret 
McCaully,  Noble  Ousley,  Naoma  Ousley,  William  and  Grace 
Peunington,  McKamey  Ruddle,  Rachel  Spikers,  Peter  Shelly, 
William  and  Silva  Arnold,  James  and  Margaret  Cyrus,  Elizabeth 
Duncan,  Margaret  Emerson,  Walter  Huston,  Sen.,  Walter  Huston, 
Jr.,  James  and  Harriet  Hamilton,  Joel  B.  and  Catharine  Huston, 
Waney  Huston,  Sen.,  Waney  Huston,  Jr.,  Zelpha  Huston,  David 
Shelley,  Elizabeth  Shelley,  Eliza  Spiker,  Horatus  and  Eliza 
Weston. 

The  following  persons  have  served  as  pastors  :  Elders  Dodge, 
Patrick  Murphy,  Bedford  Murphy,  Reynolds,  Kern,  Ades,  Ross, 
Lieurance,  Coffee,  Lucy,  Fisher,  Wallace,  Huston,  Goodnight 
and  the  present  pastor,  James  McGuire. 

The  Church  building  is  located  upon  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  five,  Blandinsville  township,  and  is  valued  at  one  thousand 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  537 

five  hundred  dollars.  Parsonage  valued  at  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars. Salary  of  pastor,  eight  hundred  dollars.  Present  member- 
ship, two  hundred  and  thirty-four.  Annual  contribution,  twelve 
hundred  dollars.  Average  attendance  in  Sunday  School,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty.  Annual  collection,  ninety  dollars. 

Mound  Christian  Church. — This  church  was  organized  in  1857, 
by  Elder  J.  B.  Royal;  there  were  then  sixteen  members.  Meet- 
ings were  held  regularly  in  school  houses  until  18(>4,  when  the 
present  church  structure  was  completed.  It  is  located  on  section 
fourteen,  of  Mound  township,  and  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 
It  is  a  good  frame  building  30  feet  by  45  in  size.  The  present  men- 
bership  is  forty-five.  At  one  time  it  numbered  one  hundred,  but 
many  have  since  moved  away.  The  Elders  are :  Henry  S.  Gustine, 
and  J.  II.  Langsford.  The  deacons  are:  Samson  Hyett,  II.  Liiid- 
sey,  and  F.  Westen,  and  the  trustees  are  .  J.  H.  Langsford,  P.  H. 
Wilson,  and  H.  Lindsey. 

Since  the  organization  the  following  ministers  have  served  as 
pastors :  D.  Dunkeson,  Thomas  Thompson,  A.  K.  Brown,  H. 
O.  Littleton,  and  J.  B.  Royal,  the  present  pastor.  The  member- 
ship ©f  the  Sunday  school  is  fifty ;  H.  S.  Gustine  is  the  Super- 
intendent. 

New  Salem  Christian  Church. — The  following  is  taken  from  the 
first  page  of  the  church  record  :  "We  the  undersigned  disciples  of 
Christ,  in  obedience  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  church,  do  now  sol- 
emnly and  joyfully  agree  with  each  other  to  walk  together  in  the 
Lord  with  brotherly  love,  as  a  Church  of  Christ,  and  do  also  take 
the  Bible  as  our  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  Done  in  Wetsel  school 
house,  in  Xew  Salem  township,  April  8,  1859.  William  A.  Griffin, 
James  D.  Swartz,  Daniel  Wilson,  Hugh  Chapman,  William 
Kelley,  Jane  Kerr,  Julia  Ann  Chapman,  Sarah  Swearingen,  Al- 
mira  Hays,  Josiah  Herlocker,  Margaret  Herlocker,  Mary  J. 
Griffin,  George  Kerr,  Caleb  Hipsley,  America  McVey  and  Jane 
Chapman." 

The  church  edifice  is  situated  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section 
thirty-four  of  New  Salem  township,  and  was  erected  in  1867  at  a 
cost  of  $2,400.  It  is.  a  good,  substantial  frame  building,  thirty- 
two  by  forty-five  feet,  and  well  finished. 

The  congregation  was  organized  April  8,  1859,  by  Elder  J.  B. 
Royal,  of  Vermont,  Illinois.  The  number  of  original  members 
was.sixteen.  The  present  membership  is  sixty-six.  Previous  to 


538  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

the  organization  the  Disciples  held  regular  meetings  in  the  school 
house  near  by,  as  also  for  several  years  after. 

The  present  elders  of  the  congregation  are  Richard  Pennington 
and  Eli  Miller,  and  the  deacons  are  David  Miner  and  James  M. 
Swearingen.  The  trustees  are  George  Seaburn,  W.  A.  Griffin 
and  Jacob  Grimm.  Henry  Smithers  is  the  present  pastor.  J.  B. 
Royal,  J.  C.  Reynolds,  William  Griffin,  A.  P.  Aten,  A.  Brown 
and  A.  Johnson  have  served  respectively  as  pastors. 

John  A.  Wetsel  is  the  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 
The  average  attendance  of  the  school  is  about  sixty. 

Colchester  Christian  Church. — The  Christian  Church  at  Col- 
chester was  organized  April  3,  1867,  by  Elders  J.  C.  Reynolds 
and  C.  Ades,  with  116  members.  In  the  following  year  a  good 
frame  church  building  wras  erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,000;  its  size 
is  £6  by  56  feet. 

The  various  pastors  employed  by  this  congregation  from  time 
to  time  have  been  Elders  J.  C.  Reynolds,  C.  Ades,  J.  II.  Garrison, 
A.  P.  Aten,  J.  C.  Winter,  and  H.  P.  Tandy.  The  present  mem- 
bership is  about  ninety.  The  following  are  the  church  officers: 
Elders,  S.  T.  Moore  and  Win.  Tandy;  deacons,  William  Morrison 
and  Adam  Taylor;  clerk,  S.  D.  Mills.  The  average  attendance  in 
Sunday  School  is  122;  the  annual  contribution  $75.  S.  T.  Moore 
superintendent. 

Sciota  Christian  Church. — The  church  structure  of  this  congre- 
gation was  erected  in  1869,  before  the  organization  of  the  church. 
It  is  a  good  frame  building,  32x46  feet  and  cost  $2,250.  William 
H.  Franklin  was  the  prime  mover  in  this  work.  The  building 
committee  consisted  of  W.  II.  Franklin,  John  Dew,  and  J.  M. 
Russell. 

Before  the  building  of  the  church,  meetings  were  held  in  a 
shed,  built  for  the  purpose,  on  ground  near  the  church.  Here 
Elders  J.  C.  Reynolds  and  Coffee  held  a  meeting,  the  first  of  this 
denomination  in  the  town.  Elder  J.B.  Royal  preached  the  first  ser- 
mon in  the  church,  while  Elder  J.  H.  Garrison  delivered  the  dedi- 
catory sermon.  Elder  S.  Iv.  Hallam  was  the  first  pastor,  J.  H. 
Seaton  the  second.  Elder  Thomas  Goodnight  preaches  once  each 
month.  Elders,  Samuel  Dey  and  E.  S.  Agnew.  The  first  elders 
were  Larkin  Osborn  and  William  Smith.  Deacon,  Silas  Wood- 
side.  The  congregation,  which  had  run  down  considerably,  was 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  539 

reorganized  January  27,  1876,  with  seven  members.  The  present 
membership  is  thirty. 

New  Bedford  Christian  Church. — The  church  edifice  stands  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  ^ection  seven  of  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship, and  was  erected  in  1876,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  The  size  is 
thirty-two  feet  by  fifty-six.  It  is  one  of  the  neatest  country 
churches  in  the  county,  and  an  honor  to  any  community. 

The  society  was  organized  by  Elder  J.  H.  Breeden,  with  four- 
teen members,  in  Xovember,  1871.  The  present  membership  is 
eighty-six. 

Elder  George  Brokaw  is  the  present  pastor.  The  elders  are  J. 
H.  Painter,  A.  J.  Clayton,  H.  H.  Brady  and  "VV.  Beckelhymer. 
The  Deacons,  J.  S.  Brooks,  Alexander  Beckelhymer  and  E.  Dice. 
William  Beckelhymer,  clerk. 

The  pastors,  since  the  organization,  have  been  J.  II.  Breeden, 
John  Huston  and  J.  H.  Painter. 

William  Beckelhymer  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School, 
of  which  there  is  an  average  attendance  of  thirty-five. 

Bushnell  Christian  Church. — We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  a 
sketch  of  this  congregation,  and  cannot  say  when  or  by  whom  it 
was  organized.  A  large  brick  church  was  erected  in  1867,  and 
dedicated  in  the  early  part  of  1868,  by  Elder  J.  C.  Reynolds,  of 
Macomb.  This  building  is  now  valued  at.  $2,500.  It  is  plain,  but 
comfortable  and  substantial.  The  membership  of  the  congrega- 
tion is  120 ;  annual  contributions,  $1,000 ;  Sunday  School — aver- 
age attendance,  65  ;  annual  contributions,  $50. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  numbers  more  than  any  other 
body  of  Christians  in  the  county,  having  a  membership  of  1,374, 
in  addition  to  a  large  number  of  probationers.  Their  system  of 
itinerant  work  has  much  to  do  with  their  success.  While  others 
lagged  in  the  work  they  have  pushed  boldly  on,  holding  their 
meetings  in  public  halls,  school  houses,  private  dwellings,  barns, 
or  any  place  where  the  people  could  be  brought  together  to  hear 
the  proclamation  of  the  gospel.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  the 
religious  views  of  this  denomination,  its  zeal  is  to  be  com- 
mended ;  and  to  the  fact  that  its  membership  is  zealous,  in  a 
great  measure,  is  due  its  numbers  and  influence  in  this  county. 
In  the  beginning  of  their  work  [here,  they  had  the  services  of 
some  of  the  best  workers  in  their  ranks,  among  whom  was  the 


540  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

old  aud  eccentric  pioneer  preacher,  Peter  Cartwright,  who  labored 
in  all  parts  of  the  county,  and  who  was  instrumental  in  the  salva- 
tion of  many  souls.  Following  will  be  found  sketches  of  the 
various  congregations  in  the  county,  in  order  of  their  organiza- 
tion, together  with  a  summary  of  their  work : 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Macomb. — The  first  regular  preach- 
ing in  Macomb,  of  this  denomination,  was  in  1832,  and  by  the 
Eev.  Peter  Cartwright,  the  celebrated  pioneer  Methodist  preacher, 
who  organized  the  M.  E.  congregation  of  Macomb  the  same  year. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  old  court-house  until  1835,  when  a 
very  respectable  brick  building  wras  erected  on  ground  given  by 
Hon.  James  M.  Campbell,  on  the  site  of  the  present  Church  edi- 
fice, on  Lafayette  street,  north  of  Carroll  street. 

In  1847  the  Church  building  blew  down,  when  services  were 
held  conjointly  with  the  Presbyterians,  in  their  Church  building. 
A  very  earnest  uuion  revival  was  held  by  the  two  congregations, 
in  this  Church,  which  resulted  in  bringing  many  into  it.  The 
Church  building  was  rebuilt  in  1848. 

In  1854,  the  circuit  heretofore  rather  large,  was  divided,  leaving 
Macomb  only  two  appointments,  viz. :  Wolf  Grove  and  Spring 
Creek.  During  this  year  the  Church  building  again  blew  down, 
but  the  faithful  members  were  not  discouraged,  only  the  more 
determined,  and  soon  set  about  to  erect  another  and  larger  build- 
ing. One  40x70  feet  was  built  this  time  and  dedicated  in  1857.  T. 
M.  Eddy,  editor  of  the  Northwestern  Christian  Advocate,  deliv- 
ering the  dedicatory  sermon,  During  the  interval  spent  in  re- 
building, services  were  held  in  the  Christian  Church  and  in  the 
court-house. 

By  1858  the  congregation  had  become  so  large  as  to  require  the 
undivided  time  of  the  pastor,  and  consequently  Macomb  was  set 
off  as  a  separate  station. 

The  church  building  in  1875  was  rebuilt  and  refitted  at  a  cost  of 
$4,076.  A  very  tall  and  beautifully  proportioned  steeple  towered  far 
above  the  building,  but  not  long  after  the  new  edifice  had  been 
dedicated — Bishop  Simpson  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon — 
and  during  a  most  violent  storm  the  spire  was  blowrn  down,  caus- 
ing some  damage  to  the  front  walls.  Immediately  the  debris  was 
cleared  away,  and  a  cupola  of  less  pretensions  was  erected.  The 
value  of  the  church  building,  which  is  a  neat  and  commodious 
brick  structure,  is  $10,000.  A  large  bell  is  swung  in  the  cupola. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  541 

On  .the  corner  of  Lafayette  and  Calhoun  streets,  and  just  to 
the  north  of  the  Church,  is  the  parsonage,  a  good  frame  residence 
worth  $1,200.  The  following  is  a  report  for  the  year  ending  July 
23d,  1876,  prepared  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  M.  A.  Head,  and  submit- 
ted to  the  quarterly  conference : 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  there  were  two  hundred  and  forty  - 
four  members  and  fifteen  probationers.  During  the  year  we  have 
received  by  letter  sixteen,  and  from  probation  two.  Organized  a 
class  at  McNair's  school  house  of  fifteen,  making  a  total  of  thirty- 
three.  We  have  dismissed  by  letter  ten.  Died  during  the  year, 
four,  making  a  total  of  fourteen.  Leaving  a  membership  in  full 
connection,  two  hundred  and  sixty-three.  We  have  received  on 
probation,  thirty-five;  dismissed  from  probation  by  letter,  three; 
leaving  forty-five  probationers — in  all,  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
three  members  and  forty-five  probationers.  Our  congregations 
have  been  good,  and  our  prayer  meetings  well  attended,  averaging 
sixty.  The  benevolence  of  our  church  will  cover  the  assessment, 
and  we  hope  they  will  rise  above  them. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  the  church  is  healthy.  The  following 
is  the  number  of  periodicals  taken  within  the  bounds  of  this 
charge  :  New  York  Advocate,  three  ;  Western  Christian  Advo- 
cate, two ;  Northwestern  Christian  Advocate,  fifteen  ;  Ladies'  Re- 
pository, one;  Golden  Hour,  one.  Our  Sunday  school  is  in  a 
flourishing  condition.  We  have  a  good  attendance  and  good 
interest.  We  have  made  some  valuable  additions  to  our  library. 
Our  school  will  contribute  about  sixty  dollars  this  year  to  the 
cause  of  missions.  The  average  attendance  is  one  hundred  and 
sixty-one. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  serving  as  Presiding  Elders  in 
this  circuit  since  1832  :  Peter  Cartwright,  Michael  Taylor,  Peter 
Atkins,  EL  G.  Berryman,  John  S.  Barger,  R.  Haney,  John  Morey, 
Milton  Bourne,  H.  Summers,  A.  Magee,  W.  H.  Hunter,  W.  D. 
LTnderwood,  Henderson  Ritchie,  G.  M.  Irwin,  and  B.  E.  Kauf- 
man. The  following  is  the  correct  list  of  all  the  various  pastors 
in  charge  of  this  church  :  H.  Summers,  T.  EL  Ralston,  P.  R. 
Boring,  William  Window,  D.  B.  Carter,  Enos  Thompson,  John 
R.  Richmond,  Chauncy  Hobart,  E.  Tracy,  John  More}',  R.  W. 
Clark,  William  Hindall,  Freeborn  Haney,  Samuel  Pillsbury,  H. 
Hadley,  Geo.  Whitemore,  Seth  Ford,  B.  Courtwright,  B.  C.  Swartz, 
B.  H.  Courtwright,  J.  B.  Quinly,  William  M.  Clark,  S.  S.  Robin- 


542  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

son,  W.  II.  Jackson,  James  Taylor,  P.  C.  Brooks,  Allen  Head, 
W.  S.  Smith,  W.  J.  Beck,  Milton  Bourne,  Benjamin  Applebee, 
Andrew  Miller,  P.  T.  Khodes,  William  Wilson,  G.  R.  Palmer,  A. 
D.  McCool,  William  Watson,  J.  IT.  Rhea,  J.  C.  Rybolt,  Henderson 
Ritchie,  Peter  Warner,  Mr.  Zimmerman,  B.  D.  Dennis,  L.  B. 
Kent,  and  the  present  pastor,  M.  A.  Head.  The  present  stewards 
are  :  R.  H.  Broaddus,  J.  T.  Adcock,  Levi  Argenbright,  B.  D.  In- 
gram, C.  W.  Slade,  A.  L.  Sparks.  G.  W.  Eyre,  Samuel  Knight, 
and  David  Knapp,  recording  steward.  Composing  the  board  of 
trustees  are :  J.  Hillyer,  A.  K.  Lodge,  J.  Scott,  R.  II.  Broaddus, 
B.  D.  Ingram,  G.  W.  Eyre,  and  J.  T.  Adcock.  The  class  leaders 
are :  C.  Case,  W.  Wilson,  and  W.  Creel. 

Tennessee  M.  E<  Church. — The  first  meetings  of  this  denomina- 
tion held  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tennessee  were  at  the  residence 
of  James  Fulkerson,  near  Hillsgrove,  in  1832..  This  locality  is 
known  as  "  Old  Methodist  Stamping  Grounds."  These  meetings 
were  held  by  missionaries  Rev.  Carter,  Levi  Springer  and  Henry 
Summers.  In  1851  a  society  was  organized  south  of  Tennessee, 
at  what  was  called  the  brick  school  house.  Rev.  James  Taylor, 
J.  P.  Brooks,  William  Smith  and  J.  B.  Quinby  served  as 
preachers.  After  this  the  Society,  which  had  heretofore  been  a 
part  of  the  Macomb  work,  was  transferred  to  the  Blandinsville 
work,  and  the  following  ministers  labored  there  :  Rev.  Joseph 
Cumming,  G.  M.  Irwin,  James  Cowden,  Rev.  Beard,  B.  E.  Kauf- 
man and  H.  Presson.  In  1857  the  class  at  the  school  house  was 
moved  to  Tennessee,  and  about  the  same  time  the  class  at  Hills- 
grove,  also,  moved  to  the  same  place,  both  uniting,  Rev.  B.  E. 
Kaufman  preaching  the  first  sermon  there  in  school  house.  From 
this  time  until  the  present,  Tennessee  and  Colchester  have  been 
in  the  same  circuit  with  the  same  minister,  pastor  of  both 
churches,  of  whom  are  the  following  :  B.  B.  Kennedy,  Rev. 
McKee,  J,  Fate,  John  Cavet,  Stephen  Brink,  W.  B.  Carithers,  W. 
B.  Frazell,  D.  S.  Main,  G.  J.  Luckey,  William  Haney,  J.  S.  Kirk- 
patrick,  B.  F.  Tallman,  T.  Pool,  A."s.  Atherton  and  T.  P.  Henry. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members :  John 
Jarvis,  Mrs.^Jarvis,  Garrett  Jarvis,William  Delay,  Absolom  Parker, 
Mary  Parker,  C.  L.  Davis,  Maria  Davis,  William  Clayton,  Louisa 
Clayton,  L.  C.  Bacon,  Honor  Bacon,  Lewis  Mourning,  Ann 
Mourning  and  Sarah  Lawyer. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  o4:t 

The  church  structure  was  erected  in  1864,  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  John  McElroy,  William  Clayton  and  William  Latimer, 
building  committee.  It  is  a  good  frame  building,  twenty-eight 
feet  wide  by  forty  long,  and  cost  $2,000.  Present  Class  Leader, 
L.  F.  Carson;  the  first  was  Samuel  Knott;  first  Stewards  were 
James  Jarvis  and  Thomas  Fulkerson ;  the  present  ones  are  J. 
Bradford,  A.  K.  Owen  and  Thomas  Fulkerson. 

The  Trustees  are  B.  F.  Thompson,  A.  K.  Owen,  J.  Eaton,  J. 
Jarvis  and  J.  Jenkins.  The  first  Trustees  were  John  McElroy, 
William  Clayton.  J.  Jarvis,  William  Lattimer  and  Thomas  Ful- 
kerson. 

Present  membership,  100;  average  attendance,  150;  contribu- 
tion, §175;  average  attendance  in  the  Sunday  School,  55;  contri- 
bution, per  year,  $25. 

Friendship  M.  E.  Church. — This  is  one  of  the  oldest  religious 
organizations  in  the  county,  the  society  having  been  organized  in 
1833,  by  Rev.  Cord,  a  missionary.  The  original  members  were 
Robert  and  Xancy  Cook,  Mrs.  Penny  and  daughter,  Esther  Hunt, 
Malinda  Hunt,  Mr.  Justice  and  wife,  John  and  James  Hammer, 
John  and  Xancy  Kirk,  John  and  Margaret  Lyon.  The  following 
are  among  those  serving  as  pastors :  Revs.  Cord,  Carter,  Levi 
Springer,  Oliver  Hindell,  Freeborn  Haynie,  J.  P.  Brooks, 
Chauncy  Hobart. 

Of  late  years  this  appointment  has  been  connected  with  the 
Blandinsville  work,  but  is  at  present  with  the  Colchester  work. 

Meetings  were  held  first,  at  the  residence  of  John  Hunt,  now 
known  as  the  Kirk  place,  and  for  many  years  at  the  school  house, 
which  stood  near  the  present  site  of  the  church  The  first  camp- 
meeting  held  in  the  Military  Tract  was  at  Friendship,  in  1833. 
People  came  from  Quincy,  Jacksonville,  Beardstown,  Burlington 
and  other  points  equally  distant.  The  church  building  is  located 
on  section  5,  Tennessee  township.  It  is  a  good  frame  structure, 
thirty  feet  by  forty,  and  was  erected  in  1851.  The  value  of  church 
property  is  $1,500.  The  present  membership  is  thirty-four.  The 
present  officers  are :  Trustees,  A.  Roberts,  George  Mourning, 
Robert  Lyon,  John  Kirk,  Jr.,  and  S.  M.  Chipman;  Steward,  A. 
Roberts;  Class  Leader,  S.  M.  Chipman.  Contribution,  $130  per 
year  ;  average  attendance  of  the  Sunday  School,  35  ;  contribu- 
tion $6  ;  Superintendent,  William  Anderson. 


544  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Pennington  Point  M.  E.  Church. — One  of  the  oldest  Methodist 
organizations  in  the  county  is  the  one  at  Pennington's  Point;  this 
church  being  organized  in  1835  or  1836.  A  few  years  ago  a  good 
and  eommodious  church  structure  was  erected  upon  section  30, 
New  Salem  township.  Its  size  is  32x56,  and  it  stands  upon  a  two- 
acre  lot,  the  property  of  the  church,  and  on  which  is  also  a  good 
frame  parsonage.  The  total  value  of  church  property  is  $3,000. 
The  congregation,  which  is  at  present  in  a  very  prosperous  con- 
dition, numbers  sixty.  The  attendance  at  Sunday-school  is  seven- 
ty-live. 

Bardolph  M.  E.  Church. — The  Bardolph  society  was  organ- 
ized in  1836  at  the  residence  of  Joseph  Kepple,  about  a  mile 
south  of  Bardolph,  and  probably  by  William  H.  Jackson,  as  he 
was  a  local  preacher  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  one  of  those  sturdy 
pioneers  who  not  only  desired  to  open  up  the  beautiful  country 
for  settlement,  that  men  might  prepare  comfortable  homes  for 
their  families  and  their  children's  families,  but  to  sow  the  good 
seed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  should  be 
neighbors  ;  to  make  this  people  a  religious  and  God  fearing  peo- 
ple, that  the  rising  generations  may  be  reared  in  the  midst  of  the 
highly  elevating  influence  of  the  religion  he  through  life  held  so 
dear.  The  original  members  were  William  II.  Jackson,  Ann 
Jackson,  Mrs.  Jacob  Kepple  and  Mrs.  Culp.  Meetings  were  held 
at  Mr.  Kepple's  house  for  about  two  years,  when  they  were 
moved  to  Mr.  Jackson's  residence,  where  they  were  held  for  sev- 
eral years. 

This  society  has  been  in  existence  since  the  early  settlement  of 
the  county,  as  before  mentioned,  part  of  the  time  in  connection 
with  the  Macomb  circuit,  and  a  part  with  the  Marietta  circuit.  It 
struggled  for  existence  and  success  from  the  time  of  its  organiza- 
tion until  June,  1867,  without  any  house  of  its  own  in  which-  to 
worship,  being  dependent,  after  leaving  Mr.  Jackson's  residence, 
on  the  Presbyterians  for  their  church,  and  upon  the  school  district 
for  the  school  house,  as  places  of  worship.  At  that  date  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  and  Cumberland  Presbyterian  congregations 
jointly  had  completed  and  dedicated  a  very  neat  and  commodious 
house  of  worship.  This  arrangement  affords  the  society  a 
house  of  their  own  one-half  of  the  time  only,  leaving  them  to  work 
at  a  great  disadvantage. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  545 

The  pastors  since  1867  have  been  Revs.  B.  E.  Kaufman,  D.  S. 
Main,  A.  P.  Hull,  J.  Ferguson,  Jacob  Mathews  and  the  present 
pastor,  Rev.  J.  E.  Taylor,  who  is  now  serving  his  third  year  here. 
J.  E.  Hendrickson  and  William  Bailey  class  leaders;  John  Booth, 
Thomas  A.  Jackson,  and  J.  E.  Hendrickson  stewards;  John 
Booth,  John  AV.  Jackson,  and  J.  E.  Hendrickson  trustees.  The 
present  membership  is  ninety-eight;  the  average  annual  contribu- 
tion is  §500.  The  average  attendance  of  the  Sunday-school  is 
sixty;  the  animal  contribution  S35;  J.  E.  Hendrickson  superin- 
tendent. 

Sticklers  M.  E.  Church — This  congregation  was  organized  in 
1845  with  twelve  members  and  met  in  school  house  near  the  pres- 
ent church  until  a  church  was  built.  The  present  edifice  was 
erected  in  1854  at  a  cost  of  $1,700;  its  size  is  30x45  feet;  it  is  lo- 
cated in  section  11  Emmet  township.  It  was  named  in  honor  of 
Abraham  Stickle,  deceased,  the  prime  mover  in  organizing  the 
society.  The  membership  is  forty-five;  the  attendance  at  Sun- 
day-school is  about  fifty.  George  Stickle  and  Abraham  B.  Stickle 
are  the  trustees. 

Blandinsville  M.E.  Church. — This  chn'rch  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Barton  Cartwright,  then  in  charge  of  the  Macomb  circuit,  about 
the  year  1848.  Previous  to  this  time  the  few  Methodists  living 
in  the  town  worshipped  at  the  church  in  Hays'  settlement,  but 
there  being  enough  to  form  an  organization,  it  was  thought  advisa- 
ble to  do  so.  E.  R.  Jones  was  the  first  class  leader.  The  following 
were  in  the  original  organization :  E.  R.  Jones  and  wife,  A.  P. 

Hopper  and  wife,  and  Freeland.     The}  have  a  good  house 

of  worship,  valued  at  $3,000,  and  a  parsonage  worth  $1,000. 

Rock  Creek  M.  E.  Church. — In  1850,  this  congregation  was  or- 
ganized, with  twenty-two  members  who  met  in  school  houses  until 
1875,  when  the  present  well  finished  church  house  was  erected. 
It  stands  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  seventeen,  Hire 
township  and  cost  $2,000.  It  is  thirty  by  forty-six  feet.  The  mem- 
bership is  fifty-three.  The  trustees  are :  Isaac  Oakman,  S.  K. 
Patrick,  Mrs.  Harriett  Pedrick,  Mrs.  Katherine  Hainline,  Solo- 
mon Haiuliue,  Mrs.  Susan  Hainline,  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Hainline. 
Isaac  Oakman,  class  leader;  William  Anderson,  Steward ;  S. 
K.  Pedrick,  superintendent  of  Sunday  school.  Average  attend- 
ance twentv. 


546  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Maple  Grove  M.  E.  Church. — The  building  is  located  on  section 
nineteen  of  Emmet  township,  and  was  erected  in  1865,  at  a  cost 
of  $2,500,  Size  twenty-six  by  fifty.  The  society  was  organized 
and  held  regular  meetings  in  groves,  and  in  school  houses  fifteen 
years  previous.  The  present  membership  is  forty-five.  James 
Griffith,  G.  G-.  Guy,  B.  F.  Guy,  and  Eli  Murray,  are  the  trustees; 
J.  C.  Guy,  class  leader;  D.  T.  Guy,  Steward.  The  membership 
of  the  Sunday  school  is  forty.  Eii.Murray,  superintendent. 

Mound  Chapel  M.  E.  Church. — This  church  was  organized  at 
the  residence  of  E.  Dyer  in  1854,  with  eight  or  ten  members. 
The  church  building  is  located  on  section  22  of  Mound  town- 
ship; it  was  erected  in  1868  at  a  cost  of  $3,200;  is  a  good  frame 
building,  35x55  in  size;  the  location  and  grounds  are  beautiful. 
The  present  membership  is  sixty.  John  Holmes,  class-leader: 
Joseph  Melvin,  steward.  The  trustees  are  J.  Holmes,  J.  Gardner, 
Edward  Mitchell,  J.  Melvin,  Amos  Ilippskey,  Ross  Manly,  J. 
Manly,  Cyrus  Head,  A.  Fleming,  John  Sheely,  and  William  An- 
derson; Isaac  Sheely  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 

Pleasant  Grove  M.  E.  Church. — The  church  building  of  this 
congregation  is  located  on  section  26,  Industry  township,  and  was 
built  in  1857  at  a  cost  of  $1,200;  it  is  36x40  feet;  the  membership 
is  about  eighteen.  John  Bennett  is  both  steward  and  class-leader; 
Marion  Skiles  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  of  which  the 
average  attendance  is  twenty-five.  The  trustees  are  Joseph  Mc- 
Clean,  Marticia  Springer,  George  Bennett,  and  George  Meadows. 

Liberty  M.  E.  Church. — The  church  structure  of  this  congrega- 
tion stands  upon  the  southeast  corner  of  section  13,  Blandinsville 
township,  and  is  one  of  the  best  church  buildings  outside  of  the 
towns  in  the  county.  It  is  worth  $2,500. 

Prairie  City  M.  E.  Church. — The  following  facts  in  reference  to 
the  M.  E.  Church  in  Prairie  City  are  collected  from  the  memory 
of  some  of  its  oldest  members.  As  the  fathers  of  the  church  failed 
to  transmit  a  written  history,  this  is  our  only  source  of  informa- 
tion. While  perfect  accuracy  in  all  the  details  are  in  the  nature 
of  the  case  impossible,  yet  the  following  may  be  relied  upon  as 
substantially  correct. 

The  Methodist  preachers  who  assisted  in  laying  the  foundation 
of  Methodism  in  Prairie  City  and  vicinity  were  Revs.  James 
Haney,  R.  Berryman,  Richard  Haney,  William  Haney,  Benjamin 
Applebee,  John  Morey,  Amos  More}T,  A.  E.  Phelps,  Thomas 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  547 

Kirkpatrick  and  C.  Hobart,  pre&ching  occasionally  at  the  houses 
of  John  Griffin  and  Thomas  Brinks.  After  a  school  house  was 
erected  in  Prairie  City,  it  was  used  for  holding  meetings  in,  and 
until  the  building  of  their  church.  The  names  of  the  original 
members,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  were  Thomas  Brinks  and 
wife,  J.  Griffin  and  wife,  Vincent  Goldsmith,  David  Griffin  and 
wife,  E.  Sandtord  and  wife,  M.  T.  Hand  and  wife,  R.  C.  Benedict 
and  wife,  Elijah  Hoyt  and  wife,  John  Mann  and  wife,  J.  White 
and  wife,  E.  G.  Tally  and  wife,  L.  I.  Washburu  and  wife,  and  A. 
Burr  and  wife. 

The  present  church  edifice  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500. 
It  was  dedicated  in  1858.  The  pastors  who  have  served  the  church 
in  their  order  are  as  follows :  A.  Fisher,  M.  T.  Havermale,  William 
Watson,  M.  C.  Lewis,  J.  B.  Craig,  William  Underwood,  A.  Mc- 
Cool,  J.  C.  Rybolt,  A.  Bowers,  W.  J.  Peck,  M.  D.  Heckard,  D.  S. 
Main,  A.  Magee  and  A.  S.  Atherten.  The  parsonage  was  erected 
in  1864.  It  is  a  good  frame  residence,  costing  about  $500.  The 
financial  ability  of  the  church  is  not  so  good  as  formerly,  many  of 
its  noteworthy  members  having  removed. 

Its  present  officers  are  as  follows:  Pastor,  A.  8.  Atherton  ; 
Stewards,  A.  Burr,  A.  Mead,  S.  Davey,  R.  C.  Benedict  and  W. 
F.  Taylor;  Class  Leaders,  A.  Mead,  A.  G.  Kreider  and  J.  T.  Mor- 
gan ;  Trustees,  A.  Burr,  A.  Mead,  R.  C.  Benedict,  S.  Davey  and 
J.  T.  Morgan.  S.  Davey,  Superintendent  of  Sunday  school.  The 
attendance  is  from  eighty-five  to  one  hundred. 

Iiidustry  M.  E.  Church. — The  first  class  was  organized  by  Rev. 
E.  Montgomery  in  1855,  with  the  following  members:  John  Reed 
and  wife,  Henry  Robely  and  wife,  M.  Merrick  and  wife,  old  Mrs. 
Vance,  Fanny  Bridges,  and  Polly  Shannon.  The  growth  of  the 
society  has  been  moderate,  and  at  present  the  membership  num- 
bers sixty.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1866,  and  dedicated 
by  Rev.  Reuben  Andrews,  of  Quiucy;  value  of  building  $2,000; 
parsonage  at  Pennington's  Point;  salary  of  pastor  for  part  of  his 
time  $200;  Rev.  J.  Budd  pastor;  attendance  in  Sunday-school  sixty; 
annual  collection  $50. 

Colchester  M.  E.  Churck. — This  church  organized  February  1, 
1858,  by  Rev.  H.  Presson,  and  B.  E.  Kaufman,  with  the  follow- 
ing 21  members  :  Joseph  Taylor,  Mary  Taylor,  Abraham  Pearson, 
Elizabeth  Pearson,  Richard  Mussou,  Rebecca  Musson,  James 
Roberts,  Cecilia  Roberts,  A.  B.  Doan,  Sarah  Doan,  Mary  Bechtel, 


548  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

Margaret  Mussou,  John  Pearson,  Abraham  Newland,  Jr.,  Thomas 
Pearson,  William  Cowan,  David  Sherbine,  Mary  A.  Sherbine, 
Sarah  K.  Biell,  Philip  Lawrence,  and  John  Level.  Meetings  were 
held  in  school  house  until  1861,  when  a  good  brick  structure  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  §1,200,  its  size  is  thirty-two  by  forty-six  feet. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  various  pastors  :  Rev.  H.  Pres- 
son,  B.  E.  Kaufman,  B.  B.  Kennedy,  McKee  J.  Tate,  J.  Cavet, 
Stephen  Brink,  W.  B.  Carithers,  "W\  B.  Frazzell,!D.  S.  Main,  G.  J. 
Lucky,  William  Hany,  L.  Kirkpatrick,  B.  F.  Tallman,  T.  Pool, 
A.  S.  Atherton,  and  T.  P.  Henry.  The  trustees  are:  James  Rob- 
erts, John  Pearson,  Abraham  Newland,  Jr.,  Richard  Williams, 
and  James  Underbill.  Stewards  are  :  William  Hulson,  and  David 
Reece.  Class  leaders:  Richard  Musson,  John  Pearson,  and  John 
James.  Local  ministers  are  :  John  James,  and  John  Parnell. 

The  average  annual  contributions  for  all  purposes  is  $650.  The 
growth  of  the  church  was  for  many  years  very  great,  but  of  late 
has  decreased  in  numbers  on  account  of  so  many  removals  and 
numerous  deaths;  but  still  they  are  prosperous,  and  have  a 
good  active  membership.  The  value  of  church  property  is  $2,000. 
The  average  attendance  in  Sunday  School  is  150,  with  an  annual 
contribution  of  $100  ;  Abraham  Xewland,  Jr.,  Superintendent. 

Mound  M.  E.  Church — The  church  building  is  located  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  section  6,  Prairie  City  township,  and  was 
erected  in  1858  at  a  cost  of  $1,400;  size  82x48;  the  present  mem- 
bership is  sixty-five.  The  trustees  are  Thomas  King,  D.  Craw- 
ford, Leonard  Hall,  William  McMahill,  and  T.  J.  Breiner.  A 
parsonage,  belonging  to  the  congregation,  stands  just  east  of  the 
church. 

Linn  Grove  Chapel  M.  IE.  Church. — The  church  house  stands  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  section  24,  Walnut  Grove  township,  and 
was  erected  in  1870  at  an  outlay  of  $2,400.  It  is  a  good  frame 
building,  32  feet  wide  by  48  feet  long.  The  society  was  organized 
in  1861  with  twelve  members;  the  membership  at  present  is  thirty. 
A.  J.  Tiger,  class-leader;  William  Pugh,  steward;  William  Pugh, 
Mary  J.  George,  A.  J.  Tiger,  E.  Chidester,  David  Chidester,  S. 
Sandridge  are  the  trustees;  A.  J.  Tiger,  superintendent  of  school; 
the  average  attendance  is  fifty. 

Willow  Grove  M  E  Church. — This  society  has  been  organized 
for  many  years,  and  for  some  time  met  in  Prosperity  Hall,  Emmet 
township.  This  congregation  now  occupies  Willow  Grove  United 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  549 

Brethren  Church  on  section  1  of  Hire  township,  meeting  every 
alternate  Sunday.  The  memhership  at  present  is  thirty,  and  the 
contribution  per  year  $250.  At  present  Rev.  G.  B.  Snedaker  and 
A\".  B.  Alexander  are  pastors.  Mrs.  Emily  Wilson,  steward;  S.  B. 
Davis,  class-leader.  Sunday-school  in  union  with  the  United 
Brethren,  with  an  average  attendance  of  twenty -five. 

New  Hope  M.  E.  Church. — The  organization  of  this  church  was 
effected  in  1866,  and  in  the  following  year  the  present  church 
structure  was  erected.  It  is  a  good  frame,  thirty-two  by  forty -five 
feet,  and  cost  §1,600.  The  membership  at  that  time  was  near  sev- 
enty, at  present  but  forty.  Rev.  James  McElroy  was  the  first  pas- 
tor, the  present  is  Rev.  T.  Head.  The  annual  contribution  is  about 
8700.  The  Trustees  are  James  C.  Archer,  George  Barclay,  James 
Depoy,  and  J.  X.  X.  Horrell.  Thomas  Hanthorn  is  Class  Leader 
and  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School,  which  has  an  average  at- 
tendance of  fifty-eight;  contribution,  $4.00  per  quarter.  The 
building  is  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  four,  Bethel  town- 
ship. In  this  neighborhood,  about  forty  years  ago,  Bethel  M.  E. 
Church  was  organized,  and  about  the  year  1845,  a  building  was 
erected  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  seven.  This  house  was 
burned  in  1863,  being  set  on  fire  by  an  incendiary. 

Centennial  M.  E.  Church. — The  church  edifice  is  located  on  the 
northwest  quarter  of  section  thirty-six,  Xew  Salem  township,  and 
was  erected  in  1871  at  a  cost  of  §1,850.  It  is  thirty  by  forty  feet, 
and  a  good,  substantial,  frame  building.  It  was  dedicated  July  2, 
1876,  Rev.  "William  Rutledge  preaching  the  sermon.  The  congre- 
gation was  organized  in  1871  by  the  Rev.  C.  Atherton.  Met  for 
five  years  in  school  house.  Solomon  Ritter  Class  Leader;  Robert 
Jeffrey  Steward.  The  following  have  officiated  as  pastors  :  Rev. 
C.  Atherton,  T.  J.  Pearson,  T.  M.  Durham,  F.  R.  Boggess  and  J. 
S.  Budd.  Joseph  Porter  is  the  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
School. 

Greenwood  M.  E.  Church. — Previous  to  the  erection  of  a  church 
building,  the  class  had  met  in  the  various  school  houses  in  the 
neighborhood  for  several  years,  but  was  finally  disbanded.  In 
August,  1873,  the  class  was  reorganized,  then  numbering  eight 
members;  at  present  they  have  forty-eight.  They  proceeded  to 
build,  and  on  Sunday,  Dec.  19, 1875,  they  dedicated  their  church 
edifice ;  the  sermon  was  preached  by  President  Evans,  of  Hedding. 
It  is  situated  on  section  two,  Macomb  township:  it  is  36x46,  and 
H— 35 


550  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

cost  §2,000.  The  following  have  served  as  pastors  :  Rev.  Fergu- 
son J.  Mathews,  Rev.  Taylor.  The  Trustees  are  :  David  Chide*- 
ter,  II.  H.  McElvain,  Abraham  Switzer,  L.  H.  Shriner,  A.  C. 
Ford,  J.  Bricker  and  Geo.  Beaver;  Class  Leader,  A.  Switzer; 
H.  H.  McElvain,  Steward.  Average  attendance  in  Sunday 
School,  one  hundred. 

Adair  M.  E.  Church. — This  society  was  organized  in  1875,  and 
the  same  year  the  present  church  structure  was  erected  and  dedi- 
cated in  October.  It  was  built  by  general  contribution,  of  all  de- 
nominations', at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  It  is  a  good,  neat,  frame  edifice. 
The  original  members  were  "Washington  Williams,  Lafayette 
Williams,  Jacob  Ready,  Mrs.  Wm.  Lance,  Josephine  Porter  and 
Martha  Epperson.  The  present  membership  is  ten.  Rev.  J.  E. 
Taylor  the  first  and  present  pastor.  Trustees:  W.  Williams,  L. 
Williams,  J.  Ready, Stephen  Blackston,  and  Thornton  Randolph; 
Steward,  Jacob  Ready  ;  Class  Leader,  L.  Williams.  Annual  con- 
tribution, $350.  Joseph  E.  Porter,  Superintendent  of  Sabbath 
.School.  Average  attendance,  forty. 

Second  Church,  Macomb,  (colored) — This  society  was  organized 
in  September,  1876,  by  Rev.  Jacob,  of  Galesburg,  with  the  follow- 
ing members:  Alexander  Garner,  Mrs.  Shoots,  Miss  Rachel  An- 
derson, Miss  Walker  and  Milton  Daniels.  For  some  time  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  old  Baptist  Church  on  North  Lafayette 
street,  but  now  a  hall  on  the  south  side  of  the  square  is*  used  for 
worship.  The  present  membership  is  about  fifteen.  M.  Daniels, 
Steward ;  Allen  Cooper,  Class  Leader.  An  average  attendance 
in  Sunday  School  ot  twenty. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  551 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

RELIGIOU  S — C  ONTINUED. 
PRESBYTERIANS. 

This  eminently  respectable  body  of  Evangelical  Christians  was 
the  third  to  establish  its  cause  in  this  county. 

A  sufficient  number  of  former  members  of  this  body  having 
settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Macomb  in  the  early  part  of  the 
year  1832,  it  was  determined  to  effect  an  organization,  and  the 
Rev.  William  J.  Frazer,  of  Morgan  county,  was  invited  here  for 
that  purpose.  On  the  ninth  of  June,  in  that  year,  he  organized 
the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  county,  in  the  old  log  court 
house,  situated  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  on  the 
site  of  the  present  Union  National  Bank.  Mr.  Frazer  continued 
to  labor  for  the  congregation  for  some  years,  preaching  frequently 
•  in  various  parts  of  the  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1875,  in 
Peoria  county,  Illinois. 

Although  not  an  aggressive'  body,  the  Presbyterians  in  this 
county  have  continued  steadily  to  increase  in  numbers  and  influ- 
ence until  they  now  number  eight  hundred  and  ninety  communi- 
cants, and  have  organizations  in  nearly  every  town,  and  sev- 
eral large  ones  in  the  country.  Among  the  most  prominent  min- 
isters who  have  served  as  pastors  and  "supplies,"  we  recall  the 
names  of  Revs.  William  K.  Stewart,  James  Chase,  Ralph  Harris, 
I.  Pillsbury,  Joseph  Warren,  I).  D.,  and  J.  H.  E"esoitt.  Mr. 
Stewart  was  among  the  pioneer  preachers  of  the  county,  and  did 
much  to  here  establish  the  cause.  In  this  work  he  was  ably 
assisted  by  Rev.  James  Chase,  a  well  known  and  well  educated 
minister  of  the  denomination. 

In  the  order  of  their  organization  we  append  sketches  of  each 
congregation  in  the  county,  beginning  with  Macomb.  For  the 


552  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

information  contained  in  this  sketch  we  are    indebted    to  Rev, 
Josiah  Moore,  now  the  efficient  pastor  of  the  church  at  Macornb. 

Macomb. — The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Macomb  was  the  first 
of  this  body,  and  was  organized  June  9,  1832,  two  years 
after  the  county  se^at  was  located  at  Macomb,  then  a  wild  prairie. 

As  evidence  that  the  hardships  of  the  wilderness  did  not  bleach 
the  "true  blue"  Presbyterians,  it  is  said  that  Rev.  Romulus  Barnes, 
then  presiding  at  Lewistown,  proposed  to  assist  in  the  organiza- 
tion, but  some  objected  because  they  feared  he  was  not  sound  in 
the  faith  ;  and  so  they  sent  to  Morgan  county  for  Rev.  William  J. 
Frazer.  Here,  no  doubt,  is  the  first  step  which  resulted  afterward 
in  the  church  becoming  Old  School. 

The  organization  took  place  in  the  old  log  court  house  that 
stood  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  the  original  members,  five  men  and  nine  women : 
Thomas  Grant  and  Jane,  his  wife  ;  Alex  Harris  and  Margaret,  his 
wife;  Alex.  Campbell  and  wife  ;  John  Harris  and  Jane,  his  wife, 
afterwards  Provine,  and  now  the  widow  of  the  late  John  Clark ; 
Mrs.  Patsey  Baylor,  Thomas  Pickett,  Elizabeth  M.  Anderson, 
Miss  Ruth  Wilson,  Miss  Jane  Campbell  and  Miss  Mahala  Camp- 
bell, afterward  Mrs.  Quiutus  Walker.  The  Elders  chosen  were : 
Alex,  and  John  Harris,  Thomas  Grant  and  Alex.  Campbell.  This 
church  at  first  included  the  fields  now  occupied  by  the  prosperous 
churches  of  Camp  Creek,  Bardolph,  Ebenezer  and  Good  Hope, 
all  of  wrhich  are  from  six  to  eight  miles  distant. 

Services  were  held  in  the  log  court  house  until  1834,  when  the 
first  brick  court  house  was  erected  in  the  center  of  the  square. 
This  was  used  until  a  church  building  was  erected,  which  was  in 
1835,  or  1836,  and  on  the  site  of  the  present  edifice,  E.  Car- 
roll street.  This  was  a  brick  building,  which  in  a  few  years  had 
become  so  small  that  it  was  removed  and  a  frame  building  erected, 
which  was  first  occupied  January  10,  1853,  at  three  o'clock  P.  M. 
In  1867,  this  house  was  enlarged  and  remodelled  at  a  cost  of  $700y 
and  in  1870  the  entire  structure  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  to  its 
present  dimensions,  at  a  cost  of  $4,458.  The  building  is  a  frame, 
built  in  Gothic  style,  with  two  spires,  one  on  either  of  the  front 
corners  ;  it  is  entered  by  a  vestibule,  in  the  center  of  the  front  end. 
A  very  good  bell,  weighing  nine  hundred  pounds,  hangs  in  the 
main  Bpire,  which  rises  from  the  southwest  corner.  The  audience 
room  is  neat  and  commodious,  well  furnished  and  tastefully  fres- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  553 

•coed,  and  is  capable  of  seating  about  four  hundred  persons.  The 
value  of  the  church  structure  is  $8,000,  and  the  value  of  the  par- 
sonage, which  is  located  on  East  Jackson  street,  about  $1,600. 

For  want  of  documents  we  can  only  give  statistics  since 
1865,  or  for  about  one-fourth  of  the  church's  existence.  The 
membership  in  1866  was  200.  Since,  175  have  united  on  pro- 
fession and  120  by  certificate.  Removals  and  deaths  leave  the  pres- 
ent membership  300.  Adults  baptized,  41 ;  infants,  80.  Contri- 
butions as  follows  :  Home  missions,  $746 ;  foreign  missions,  $715  ; 
educating  ministers,  $526  ;  publishing  and  colporter  work,  $185  ; 
building  churches,  $370  ;  disabled  ministers  and  their  families, 
$180;  Freedmau's  mission,  $82 ;  sustaining  permanent  pastorates, 
$54;  commissions  to  Assembly,  $163.  Congregational  work — pas- 
tor's salary,  sexton,  repairs,  etc.,  $20,052.  Miscellaneous — Ameri- 
can Bible  society,  Sabbath  School  union,  public  charities,  etc., 
•81,629.  Total,  $24,703,  or  an  average  of  $2,245.73  per  year.  The 
membership  of  the  Sabbath  School  is  250.  J.  H.  Cummings 
Superintendent.  About  a  year  after  the  organization,  Rev. 
"W.  J.  Frazer  became  stated  supply  for  this  and  other  points 
in  the  county  until  1836,  when  Rev.  William  K.  Stewart,  of  Yan- 
<lalia,  Illinos,  was  called  as  pastor.  Mr.  Frazer,  and  some  of  the 
people  net  satisfied  with  this  move,  attempted  to  get  up  a  rival 
organization,  but  after  a  year  or  so,  the  effort  failed. 

Mr.  Stewart  remained  as  pastor  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  nineteenth  day  of  April,  1852;  aged  fifty-two  years.  He 
was  a  man  of  noble  worth  ;  an  able  minister  of  the  gospel;  a  de- 
vout Christian,  and  a  valuable  citizen.  During  the  last  year  or 
two  of  Mr.  Stewart's  ministry,  and  owing  to  failing  health,  he 
was  assisted  by  Rev.  Ralph  Harris,  a  professor  in  McDonough 
•college,  who,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Stewart,  became  stated  sup- 
ply, and  September  17,  1853,  was  elected  pastor,  at  a  salary  of 
3500  per  year.  He  resigned  the  pastorate  January  20,  1855. 
Rev.  Ithamar  Pillsbury,  President  of  McDouough  College,  was 
elected  stated  supply  March  7,  1855,  and  February  23, 1856,  he 
was  elected  pastor,  at  a  salary  of  $700  a  year.  April  10,  1859, 
he  resigned  the  pastorate,  but  acceeded  to  the  request  of  the  Ses- 
sion May  2,  to  remain  as  stated  supply  till  the  election  of  a  suc- 
cessor, which  took  place  January  25, 1860,  when  Robert  F.  Tay- 
lor was  elected  as  stated  supply  for  one  year. 

Mr.  Pillsbury  returned  to  Andover,  Illinois,  the  first  field  of 
his  labors  in  the  west,  where,  after  a  short  illness,  and  on  the 


554  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

twentieth  day  of  April,  1862,  he  died,  being  in  the  sixty-eighth 
year  of  his  age. 

Time  would  fail  to  tell  the  eminent  services  of  this  devoted  sol- 
dier of  the  cross.  He  was  intrusted  with  many  important  respon- 
sibilities ;  he  took  the  lead  and  bore  the  burden  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  colony  of  which  Andover  is  the  commercial  center, 
and  in  every  enterprise  he  acquitted  himself  as  worthy  of  the 
most  sacred  trust ;  but  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  unfurling 
the  banner  of  truth  in  these,  then  western  wilds,  he  had  no  supe- 
rior. His  ministrations  in  Macomb  were  sealed  with  the  richest 
tokens  of  divine  favor. 

Mr.  Taylor,  failing  in  health,  resigned  before  the  close  of  the 
year.  In  1862  he  went  as  Chaplain  of  the  Seventy-eighth  Illinois 
Infantry.  In  January,  1861,  Rev.  Joseph  Warren,  D.  D.,  was 
elected  stated  supply  on  a  salary  of  $800.  Mr.  "Warren  had  re- 
turned from  the  Foreign  Mission  work  in  India.  Rev.  John  H. 
Woods  was*engaged  as  stated  supply  November  5,  1862.  October 
29,  1863,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  chosen  stated  supply.  He  commenced 
his  labors  about  the  first  of  February,  1864,  but 'was  soon  elected 
pastor  at  a  salary  of  $800,  and  installed  May  28th.  April  llth,. 
1868,  his  salary  was  fixed  at  $1,000  per  year  and  a  parsonage. 

Rev.  Peter  Hathaway  K.  McComb,  of  Bloomfield,  Penn.,  was 
chosen  pastor  February  28,  1870.  Salary,  $1,000.  He  resigned 
May  11,  1873,  and  on  the  eighteenth  of  May,  Dr.  J.  Jamieson,  by 
the  direction  of  the  Presbytery,  preached  and  declared  the  pulpit 
vacant.  June  1,  8  and  15,  1873,  Rev.  J.  Moore,  of  Canton,  Illi- 
nois, the  present  pastor,  occupied  the  pulpit  for  the  first  time. 
June  16  he  was  chosen  stated  supply,  and  October  2,  1874,  was 
chosen  pastor.  Salary  $1,000  and  use  of  parsonage.  October  1, 
1875,  the  congregation  adopted  the  uTerm  Eldership,"  and  the 
session  is  as  follows :  Pastor,  J.  Moore ;  Elders,  A.  Blackburn, 
W.  E.  Withrow,  Dr.  V.  McDavitt,  William  Hunter,  J.  H.  Cum- 
miugs  and  H.  L.  Ross;  Deacons,  J.  H.  Cummings,  William  Hun- 
ter, 0.  F.  Piper,  Dr.  B.  I.  Dunn,  H.  R.  Bartleson  and  R.  L.  Coch- 
rane ;  Trustees  (elected  for  five  years),  J.  H.  Cummings,  John 
McElrath  and  0.  F.  Piper. 

Camp  Creek. — This  Church  is  located  on  section  twenty-seven 
of  Scotland  township.  The  society  was  organized  by  Rev.  W.  K. 
Stewart  and  Rev.  Samuel  Wilson,  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of 
May,  1839,  in  Joseph  McCrosky's  barn,  on  Camp  Creek.  There 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  555 

were  thirty  original  members.      The  membership  at  present  is 
ninety-nine. 

The  first  services  held  by  the  Presbyterians  were  in  1832,  and 
were  held  in  school  houses,  log  cabins,  barns,  or  in  the  open  air. 
In  1843  Rev.  J.  M.  Hoge  was  called  as  the  first  pastor.  Daring 
this  year  Sanders  W.  Campbell,  John  C.  Clark  and  Alexander 
Provine  were  elected  the  first  Ruling  Elders,  and  also  a  Church 
building  30x35  feet  was  erected  on  ground  given  by  Joseph  Mc- 
Crosky. 

In  1857  the  Church  resolved  to  elect  Deacons  instead  of  Trus- 
tees. Robert  McNair,  Alexander  McLay  and  James  C.  Watson 
were  elected  to  that'office,  since  which  time  the  following  named 
gentlemen  have  served  in  that  capacity:  James  Watson,  A. 
Walker,  James  Walker,  William  McMullan,  J.  A.  Provine,  Dun- 
can McMillan,  Grier  McGoughy,  Jonas  Ringer,  Joseph  Simpson, 
Thomas  Watson,  T.  J.  Walker  and  James  Bennie.  In  1857 
a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  §1,200.  In  1861  the  present 
Church  structure  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  Its.  size  is  36x 
48  feet.  The  old  house  was  sold  for  §40. 

The  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  Elders  since  1852: 
David  R.  Morris,  George  W.  Provine,  Cyrus  Walker,  J.  Sullivan, 
Alexander  McMullen,  Robert  McNair,  William  McMillan,  John 
Barclay  and  Joseph  Simpson. 

The  following  ministers  have  supplied  the  pulpit :  J.  M.  Hoge, 
James  Chase,  William  K  Stewart,  William  F.  Ferguson,  J.  C. 
King,  James  Cameron,  John  Steel,  C.Leavenworth,  Joseph  Platt, 
J.  G.  Bliss,  John  Giffin,  W.  H.  Goodeson,  P.  W.  Thompson  and 
J.  G.  Condit,  the  present  occupant. 

Shiloh. — Shiloh  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Alexander  Campbell,  on  section  sixteen  of  Walnut 
Grove  township,  in  1839,  and  by  Rev.  James  Chase,  with  twenty- 
three  members.  For  several  years  meetings  were  held  alternately 
at  the  residences  of  J.  G.  Walker  and  Alexander  Campbell.  In 
1852  a  large  school  house,  twenty-two  by  thirty-two,  was  erected 
on  section  eight  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  which  has  since  been 
used  for  church  purposes.  When  the  township  was  redistricted 
into  school  districts,  two  miles  square,  the  congregation  purchased 
the  building.  The  reason  given  for  no  church  building  ever  being 
erected  is,  that  the  membership  was  so  scattered  that  no  point 


556  HISTORY    OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY. 

convenient  for  all  could  be  selected.  Members  were  living  in 
Macomb  township,  as  far  north  as  the  county  line,  and  east  and 
west  several  miles.  At  one  time  the  church  was  prosperous  and 
had  a  large  and  interested  membership,  but  when  towns  sprang 
up  here  and  there  in  the  surrounding  country  and  new  congrega- 
tions organized,  the  members  residing  near  of  course  left  Shiloh 
and  united  with  the  new  church  nearer  home.  When  the  Bushnell 
Church  was  organized,  the  members  living  east  and  near  the  town 
united  there ;  when  Bardolph  was  started  those  living  south  left 
Shiloh  and  united  there ;  and  when  Good  Hope  Church  was 
organized  but  few  remained  in  Shiloh  Church,  the  present  mem- 
bership being  but  eight  or  ten.  The  building  is  worth  about  $250. 
The  first  elders  were  Alexander  Harris,  J.  G.  Walker  and  Alex- 
ander Campbell.  The  first  preachers  were  James  Chase,  Isaac  B. 
Moore,  David  Monfort,  P.  W.  Thompson  and  Joseph  Platt. 
Present  officers  are  Quintus  Walker  and  Robert  Pollock.  Sunday 
school  attendance  about  thirty-five. 

Prairie  City. — This  church  was  organized  September  19,  1841, 
with  the  following  twelve  members  :  George  Kreider,  Barbara 
Kreider,  Celinda  Woods,  James  Jackson,  Phebe  Woods,  James 
Reed,  Samuel  Mourning,  Katharine  Mourning,  Thomas  Boyd, 
Eleanor  Boyd,  Mary  Moore  and  Sophronia  Schofield.  George 
Kreider  was  chosen  Elder,  and  Samuel  Mourning  Deacon.  The 
congregation  met  for  several  years  at  the  residence  of  George 
Kreider,  five  miles  northeast  of  Prairie  City,  and  was  known  as 
the  Pleasant  Prairie  Church.  Rev.  William  Frazer  and  Robert 
Dobbins  preached  occasionally  for  ten  years.  The  church  was 
reorganized  October  25,  1851,  when  Peter  Bennett  and  J.  D.  Bel- 
ville  were  chosen  Elders.  In  1854,  P.  W.  Thompson  was  chosen 
the  first  stated  supply.  The  following  year  subscription  to  the 
amount  of  $1,115,  was  raised  toward  building  a  church  at  Yirgil, 
to  where  the  church  was  moved  this  year,  holding  meetings  in  a 
school  house  about  three  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Prairie  City.  In 
1856,  Rev.  P.  W.  Thompson  was  installed  as  pastor,  he  being  the 
first  regular  pastor  the  congregation  ever  employed.  At  this  time 
the  new  town  of  Prairie  City  was  attracting  great  attention,  and 
it  was  thought  best  to  move  the  church  there,  which  was  accord- 
ingly done,  and  a  good  frame  church  building  erected  and  dedi- 
cated November  13,  1856.  The  cost  of  this  building  was  about 
$2,800,  and  its  size  about  forty  feet  square.  In  1868  it  was  repaired 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  557 

and  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,  and  now  the  congregation 
have  a  neat  church  edifice,  forty  feet  wide  by  sixty  long,  with  a 
seating  capacity  of  two  hundred  and  fifty.  A  finely  proportioned 
spire  rises  from  the  center  of  the  front,  and  contains  a  four  hun- 
dred and  forty-three  pound  bell.  Its  present  value  is  $3,000.  It 
stands  on  the  corner  of  Clay  and  Columbia  streets.  The  present 
membership  is  one  hundred  and  seventeen.  The  average  annual 
contribution,  $900. 

The  following  have  served  as  pastors:  Revs.  P.  W.  Thompson, 
John  S.  Robertson  and  John  D.  Howey.  The  present  officers  are : 
Elders,  M.  Lichtenthaler,  M.  K.  Sweeney  and  J.  H.  Wilson. 
Deacons,  Thomas  Campbell  and  John  E.  Dunham.  Trustees, 
Thomas  Wilson,  Thomas  Leard  and  H.  W.  Kreider. 

Doddsville. — We  are  indebted  to  Henry  Black,  Esq.,  for  the 
following  interesting  sketch  of  the  church  at  Doddsville  : 

By  request,  Schuyler  Presbytery  appointed  Rev.  William  K. 
Stewart,  James  M.  Chase  and  Elder  Briscoe,  a  committee  to  visit 
Doddsville,  and  if  the  way  was  clear,  to  organize  a  church.  Ac- 
cordingly, these  brethren  visited  Doddsville,  held  services  in  the 
house  of  Andrew  Walker,  in  said  village,  on  the  twenty-ninth 
day  of  July,  1843,  and  proceeded  to  organize  a  church  ot  seven- 
teen members.  The  names  of  the  original  members  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Andrew  Walker,  Ann  Walker,  his  wife,  Charles  W. 
Walker,  Rachel  Walker,  John  M.  Clark  and  Mirah  Clark,  his 
wife,  Margaret  Hodge,  Rebecca  Clugstou,  Isabella  Clugston,  Jane 
Clugston,  Hettie  McCoy,  John  Scott  and  Rachel  Scott,  his  wife, 
Sarah  Black,  Maria  Black,  Thomas  Shannon  and  Elizabeth  Shan- 
non, his  wife.  Andrew  Walker  was  elected  Ruling  Elder.  The 
next  day,  Sabbath,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  ad- 
ministered, and  the  church  established.  Of  the  original  members, 
eleven  were  from  near  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  four  from  near 
Urbana,  Ohio,  and  two  from  Virginia.  Five  are  still  living,  viz.: 
Charles  W.  Walker,  Margaret  Hoge,  Jane  Clugston  and  Maria 
Beaver,  formally  Black.  The  first  four  still  belong  to  the  church 
at  Doddsville,  having  been  members  a  period  of  over  thirty-three 
years.  The  last  named  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Plymouth,  Illinois.  On  the  seventeenth  of  September,  about 
seven  weeks  after  the  organization,  Andrew  Walker,  elder,  was 
called  to  his  long  rest.  The  following  named  ministers  have 
served  as  supplies  to  the  church  :  Revs.  John  Hoge,  James  M. 
Chase,  John  Marshall,  Cyrus  B.  Bristow,  Joseph  H.  Marshall, 


558  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

James  T.  Bliss,  Geo.  A.  Hutchison,  Henry  C.  Mullen,  Preston  W. 
Thompson,  and  now,  the  Rev.  11.  C.  Mullens.  The  Eev.  Mr. 
Davis,  a  missionary  of  the  !N"ew  School  branch  of  the  church,, 
also  preached  a  short  time.  These  were  all  staled  supplies  ex- 
cept Rev.  Joseph  II.  Marshall,  who  was  a  regularly  installed  pas- 
tor. Of  these  ministers  all  are  now  living,  as  far  as  we  know,  ex- 
cept the  Rev.  James  M.  Chase,  and  John  Marshall.  The  following 
persons  were  elected  and  served  in  the  eldership  :  Andrew  Walker, 
John  M.  Clark,  John  G.  McGoughy,  David  R.  Hindman,  James 
McDavett,  Elijah  Hindman,  John  McMillan,  HughL.  McGoughy, 
Thomas  Conner,  Thomas  McCoy,  Henry  Black,  William  Pol- 
lock and  John  Colleasure.  Five  of  those  serving  have  departed 
this  life,  namely:  Andrew  Walker,  John  M.  Clark,  Hugh  F. 
McGoughy,  Elijah  Hindman  and  John  Colleasure.  James  Col- 
leasure was  elected,  and  would  have  accepted,  but  died  before  or- 
dination. The  following  named  persons  were  elected  and  served 
as  Deacons  of  the  Church  :  George  Bair,  William  II.  Black, 
Samuel  C.  Hoge,  John  H.  McGrath  and  James  Colleasure,  all 
living  except  John  Colleasure.  George  Bair,  Samuel  C.  Hoge, 
John  H.  McGrath  and  William  S.  McLain,  constitute  the  present 
Board  of  Trustees.  The  old  church  just  vacated  was  built  in 
1851,  as  far  as  inclosing  was  concerned,  when  it  was  taken  poses- 
sion  of,  but  was  not  completed  until  the  summer  of  1855,  four  years 
after,  consequently  it  was  never  dedicated  a  house  of  worship.  It 
cost  about  $900.  The  first  revival  wTas  in  February  and  March 
of  1858,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  John  Marshall,  when  twenty- 
eight  members  were  received — twenty-two  on  profession  and  six 
on  certificate.  The  second  was  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
James  T.  Bliss  in  January,  1867,  when  eleven  members  were  re- 
ceived— nine  on  profession  and  two  on  certificates.  The  third 
was  under  the  ministry  o±  Rev.  George  A.  Hutchinson,  Decem- 
ber, 1867,  when  eleven  members  were  received  on  examination. 
The  fourth  was  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  H.  C.  Mullens,  in 
union  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Garner,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  when  six  members  were  received  on  profession  of  their 
faith.  This  was  in  March, -1873.  The  fifth  was  in  October,  1874. 
The  meeting  was  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  J^eil  Johnston, 
an  Evangelist,  swhen  God  was  pleased  to  pour  out  his  spirit  most 
copiously,  thirty-five  being  received  to  membership  on  the  profes- 
sion of  their  faith  in  Christ.  The  church  was  organized  with 
seventeen  original  members.  At  the  close  of  the  Rev.  John 


559 

Marshall's  ministry,  the  number  was  seventy ;  run  down 
again  by  deaths  and  removals  until  only  forty-six  actual 
members  remained.  After  the  revival  of  1874  there  were 
reported  eighty  members  to  the  Presbytery,  whicb  was 
the  highest  number  the  Church  ever  attained — seventy 
being  the  present  membership.  As  near  as  can  be  ascertained, 
about  two  hundred  is  the  full  number  of  memberships  ever  be- 
longing to  the  Church  since  the  organization.  Thirty-three 
years  have  come  and  gone  since  the  organization  of  the  Church, 
and  one  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  since  worship  was  first 
held  in  the  old  church  building.  Many  who  were  then  with  us 
have  passed  away,  and,  we  trust,  have  entered  into  their  rest. 
Within  its  sacred  walls  songs  of  praise  were  heard,  earnest  prayer 
and  supplication  was  offered,  the  gospel  most  faithfully  preached 
by  many  of  God's  ministering  servants,  the  Sabbath  School 
teacher  sowing  the  good  seed  of  the  word,  and  sinners  inquiring 
''What  must  we  do'  to  be  saved?"  and  as  God  said  that  he  would 
not  let  his  mercy  depart  from  Solomon,  neither  did  he  let  it  de- 
part from  us.  For  all  of  which  we  would  give  thanks  to  the 
great  head  of  the  Church ;  and,  as  we  enter  and  take  possession 
of  our  new  and  better  edifice,  yet,  in  looking  back,  our  memories 
would  still  linger  with  affection  around  the  old  Church  building 
as  we  say  farewell. 

Bushnell. — At  an  early  date  (probably  1856)  a  Presbyterian 
Church  was  organized  in  Bushnell,  in  connection  with  the  Presby- 
tery of  Schuyler,  but  in  two  or  three  years  was  dissolved,  the 
members  generally  uniting  with  the  Reformed  Church.  At  the 
spring  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Warren,  held  at  Monmouth, 
111.,  in  1868,  a  petition  was  presented  asking  for  the  organization 
of  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  Bushnell.  This  petition  was  signed 
by  about  thirty  persons,  the  greater  number  of  whom  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  Church.  The  committee  appointed  by  this 
Presbytery,  after  visiting  the  field,  decided  to  organize  a  church, 
which  was  done  April  25,  1868.  Twenty-one  persons  presented  a 
certificate,  in  a  body,  from  the  Reformed  Church  of  Bushnell,  and 
seven  from  other  Presbyterian  churches,  or  a  total  of  twenty-five 
members,  which  were  the  following :  John  W.  Adams,  Mrs.  Min- 
erva F.Adams,  Robert  A.  Adams,  Mrs.  Caroline  Adams,  Mrs.  Car- 
rie Anderson,  Daniel  H.  Bodine,  Mrs.  Harriet  S.  Bodine,  Mrs.  Maria 
C.  Hessler,  A.  H.  McGahan,  Mrs.  Alice  W.  McGahan,  Mrs.  Eliza 
A.  McGahan,  Mrs.  Lydia  Moore,  Joseph  Neft',  Mrs.  Mary  Neff, 


560 

Mrs.  Jennie  Odell,  Robert  Rea,  Mrs.  Hannah  Rea,  Frank  Sample, 
R.  M.  Scott,  Mrs.  A.  K.  Scott,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Seiber,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
J.  Sperry,  William  Tiedrick,  Mrs.  Caroline  Tiedrick,  Henry  S. 
Wells  and  Mrs.  Francis  Wells.  The  total  membership  April  1, 
187(5,  was  110.  In  eight  years  sixty-seven  members  were  received 
aon  profession"  of  faith,  sixty-eigbt  "by  letter"  from  other 
churches,  forty  were  dismissed  to  other  churches,  and  twelve  died. 
The  pulpit  was  occasionally  supplied  with  preachers  the  first  year 
until  August,  when  Rev.  R.  T.  McMahan  became  stated  supply,  re- 
maining with  the  congregation  two  years.  April  1,  1871,  Rev. 
M.  Bigger,  of  Hamilton,  111.,  took  charge  of  the  church  as  stated 
supply.  In  May,  1872,  he  was  installed  as  pastor,  in  which  rela- 
tion he  continued  until  his  sudden  death,  by  heart  disease,  Decem- 
ber 21, 1872.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  T.  Stephenson,  commenced 
his  labors  for  this  church,  April,  1873.  During  the  first  eight  years 
the  church  had  contributed  for  congregational  purposes  between 
$15,000  and  $16,000.  The  church  property  cost  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  $7,000,  and  is  generally  regarded  as  the  neatest  church  in 
Bushnell;  it  was  erected  under  the  superintendency  of  F.  A.  Cooley- 
The  plastering  was  done  by  Shafer  &  Kuhn ;  the  painting  by 
Adams,  Barrett  &  Travis;  the  frescoing  by  Jevin  &  Almini,  of 
Chicago,  and  the  stained  glass  windows  by  Geo.  A.  Misch  &  Bro. 
of  the  same  city.  The  Board  of  Ruling  Elders,  usually  denomi- 
nated the  "Session,"  elected  at  the  organization  of  the  church 
was  composed  of  the  following  persons  ;  Robert  A.  Adams,  Rob- 
ert Rea,  Robert  M.  Scott  and  A.  H.  McGahan  ;  the  latter  was 
chosen  clerk.  The  present  session  is  composed  of  R.  A.  Adams, 
Win.  A.  Pasey,  J.  C.  Cadwalader,  R,  W.  Wheeler  and  A.  H.  Mc- 
Gahan. The  church  retains  the  life  service  plan  of  the  eldership 
adding  to  the  session  from  time  to  time,  as  deemed  necessary.  On 
the  eighteenth  of  May,  1873,  the  following  persons  were  elected 
Deacons :  R.  W.  Wheeler,  D.  A.  McDonald,  William  Tiedrick 
and  F.  M.  Duel.  Mr.  Wheeler  was  afterwards  released  from  serv- 
ing as  deacon,  on  his  election  to  the  eldership,  and  R.  W.  Fowler 
was  added.  The  first  Board  of  Trustees  consisted  of  R.  M.  Scott, 
Joseph  J^eff  and  A.  H.  McGahan.  This  board  was  re-elected  in 
1871,  and  in  1876  the  following  Trustees  were  elected:  John  C. 
Cadwalader,  D.  A.  McDonald  and  A.  II.  McGahan.  The  Sabbath 
school  was  organized  soon  after  the  dedication  of  the  church 
building,  which  was  in  1869.  A.  H.  McGahan  was  chosen  super- 
intendent, and  has  been  re-elected  each  year  since.  The  school 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  561 

has  a  library  of  over  three  hundred  volumes ;  Harvey  J.  Wells, 
Librarian.  The  actual  expense  for  conducting  the  school  has 
varied  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  dollars  per  year. 

Good  Hope. — At  the  fall  meeting,  in  1868,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
"Warren,  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  C. 
Mathews,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.T.  McMahan,  and  Ruling  Elder,  M.  Lich- 
enthale,  to  visit  Good  Hope  and  organize  a  church,  if  the  way 
be  clear.  Accordingly,  said  committee,  except  the  elder,  met  at 
Good  Hope,  January  30th,  1869,  and  after  a  sermon  by  Rev. 
McMahan,  the  chairman  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting.  After 
consultation  the  committee  proceeded  to  organize  the  church. 
There  were  received  as  follows,  from  the  Shiloh  Presbyterian 
Church  :  James  A.  McClelland,  Mary  C.  McClelland,  Warren  S. 
Bruce,  James  M.  Hummer,  Helen  Ann  Hummer,  David  Campbell, 
Mrs.  Winniford  Campbell,  Ebenezer  Campbell  and  Mrs.  E.  Duel. 
From  the  church  at  Macomb  were  the  following :  Joseph  Rollins, 
Mrs.  Harriet  Rollins,  Mrs.  Jane  M.  Painter,  Miss  I.  Ella  Rollins, 
Aaron  Bennett  and  Mrs.  Rosella  Bennett.  From  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Walnut  Grove :  Mrs.  Rebecca  Brawdy, 
Miss  Catherine  Brawdy  and  Mrs.  Matilda  Morris.  J.  A.  McClel- 
land and  Aaron  Bennett  were  elected  Ruling  Elders,  Joseph  Rol- 
lins and  J.  M.  Hummer, Deacons ;F.  Cruzer,  Clerk  and  Treasurer, 
in  the  fall  of  1869  he  was  elected  Ruling  Elder,  but  was  not  in- 
stalled. Rev.  Thomas  M.  Hench  was  the  first  stated  supply,  and 
was  subsequently  chosen  pastor,  but  was  not  installed.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  F.  Ashley,  who  supplied  the  Church  about 
two  years,  commencing  in  1870.  In  December,  1873,  Rev.  I.  T. 
Whittemore,  the  present  pastor,  took  charge  of  the  Church,  and 
in  October,  1874,  was  installed  pastor.  The  membership  at  the 
organization  consisted  of  nineteen  members — twelve  males  and 
seven  females.  There  were  received  from  the  time  of  organiza- 
tion to  January,  1874,  twenty-seven — making  a  total  of  forty-six. 
There  had  been  dismissed,  seven  ;  removed  by  death,  one.  There 
had  been  added  since  (nearly  all  upon  profession  of  faith)  eighty- 
one,  and  lost  by  dismission,  six ;  and  by  death,  five,  leaving  the 
present  membership  one  hundred  and  eight.  The  following  are 
the  present  officers  ruling:  Elders,  David  Campbell,  John  Coch- 
rane  and  Aaron  Bennett.  Deacons,  J.  A.  Brown,  Cyrus  Elliott 
and  John  Morninger.  The  system  of  {Rotary  Eldership  was 
adopted  in  December,  1875.  The  Church  edifice  was  erected  in 
1869.  It  is  located  on  block  one,  lot  six.  It  is  a  good  frame 


562  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

structure,  forty  feet  by  sixty,  and  costing  about  $4,000.  It  has  a 
seating  capacity  of  three  hunded.  The  average  attendance  of 
the  Sunday  School  is  seventy;  Cyrus  Elliott,  Superintendent ; 
Charles  Bruce,  Secretary. 

Ebenezer. — This  society  was  formed  by  a  portion  of  Camp  Creek 
Church,  in  1861,  and  the  same  year  a  good  frame  church  edifice 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  Its  size  is  thirty-six  feet  by 
fifty-six.  In  1866  a  parsonage  was  built  which  cost  $1,500.  Both 
church  and  parsonage  are  located  on  the  northwest  corner  of  sec- 
tion thirty-two,  Scotland  township.  There  were  forty-four  mem- 
bers present  at  the  organization.  Xow  the  membership  is  about 
one  hundred.  George  W.  Proviue,  John  Clark,  J.  Sullivan  and 
Robert  MoN~air  were  chosen  elders.  The  deacons  elected  were 
James  Walker,  James  Clark  and  J.  A.  Provine,  and  Rev.  J.  M. 
Chase  was  chosen  pastor.  In  1865  J.  T.  Bliss  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,  and  in  1868  Rev.  II.  C.  Mullens,  the  present  pastor,  was 
called.  Simon  Smith  and  James  Clark  were  elected  elders  in  1869. 

CUMBERLAND   PRESBYTERIAN. 

Notwithstanding  it  was  among  the  first  to  organize  in  this 
county,  this  denomination  has  never  made  any  material  progress 
here  in  building  up  their  cause,  even  in  one  instance  failing  to 
sustain  what  they  had  already  gained.  At  Macomb  a  very  flour- 
ishing congregation  once  existed,  having  a  neat  and  commodious 
house  of  worship.  The  building  has  been  sold  and  the  congrega- 
tion disbanded.  Revs.  Cyrus  Haines,  T.  R.  Roach  and  Win.  C. 
McKamy  were  among  the  most  noted  ministers  of  the  denomina- 
tion who  have  labored  here.  The  number  of  communicants  in 
the  county  are  now  about  three  hundred  and  thirty-two.  The 
first  church  organized  was  the 

.Bersheba,  or  Argyle. — The  Bersheba  congregation  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  was  organized  January  19th,  18S4, 
by  Rev.  P.  C.  Jewel.  The  organization  took  place  at  the  resi- 
dence of  John  McCord,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Emmet 
township.  The  original  membership  was  nine.  John  McCord 
and  E.  Durant  were  the  first  Ruling  Elders.  William  McCord  was 
appointed  Clerk  of  the  Session.  This  church  held  its  first  meet, 
ing  near  the  residence  of  John  McCord,  in  1838,  and  was  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  Peter  Downey,  Cyrus  Haynes,  John  Crawford  and 
William  McKamy.  The  church  remained  at  the  place  of  organ- 
ization until  1854,  when  it  moved  to  Argyle  Church,  in  the  south- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  563 

eastern  part  of  Hire  township.  For  a  while,  this  church  house 
was  held  jointly  by  the  Baptists  and  Cumberland  Presbyterians. 
In  the  spring  of  1855  the  first  Sabbath  School  was  organized,  and 
superintended  by  G.  /W.  Welch.  For  twenty  years  after  the 
house  was  erected,  Rev.  J.  W.  Stapp  had  charge  of  the  church 
the  greater  portion  of  time.  The  present  membership  is  sixty. 
Rev.  David  Hogan  took  charge  of  the  congregation  April  1st, 
1875.  In  the  spring  of  1876  a  parsonage  was  built  nea'r  the 
church  house,  and  is  held  as  the  property  of  the  C.  P.  Church  at 
this  place.  It  cost  $600.  The  cost  of  the  church  is  $1,500.  The 
Elders  of  the  church  at  present  are  :  T.  J.  Caldwell,  Allen  Mur- 
ray, A.  G.  McCord  and  G.  W.  Stapp.  The  Deacons  are  E.  A. 
"Welch  and  J.  T.  Murray.  The  average  attendance  at  the  Sab- 
bath School  is  sixty;  F.  F.  Myer,  Superintendent. 

Sugar  Creek. — Meetings  of  this  congregation  were  held  in  the 
Foster  neighborhood  as  early  as  1836.  In  that  year,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  A.  J.  Foster,  the  Rev.  William  C.  McKamy  was  or- 
dained a  minister  of  the  gospel,  being  the  first  minister  ordained 
in  the  county.  Meetings  were  held  off  and  on  in  groves,  dwell- 
ings and  school  houses  until  1865  or  '66,  when  the  present  church 
structure  was  erected.  It  is  a  good  frame,  about  thirty-six  by 
forty-eight  feet,  and  cost  $3,000.  It  stands  on  section  two  of 
Eldorado  township.  The  present  membership  is  about  seventy- 
five.  Contributions  per  year,  $450.  The  Elders  are  William  D. 
Foster  and  Samuel  J.  Foster.  Rev.  William  S.  Campbell,  pastor. 
John  T.  Foster,  Superintendent  of  Sunday  school.  Attendance, 
fifty.  Contributions,  fifty  cents  per  Sunday. 

Good  Hope. — This  was  formerly  known  as  Walnut  Grove  Church 
and  was  organized  April  28,  1838,  by  Rev.  Peter  Downey,  Cyrus 
Haynes,  and  Elder  John  McCord,  who  constituted  the  committee 
of  Rushville  Presbytery  appointed  for  that  purpose.  The  original 
members  were  Cyrus  Haynes,  Mahala  Haynes,  A.  H.  Berry,  M. 
M.  Berry,  Michael  Yincent,  Levi  Hamilton,  Malinda  Hamilton, 
Mary  Stapp,  J.  B.  Stapp,Mary  Creel,  Charles  Creel  and  Parthena 
Creel.  For  about  twenty  years  its  ministers  served  as  stated  sup- 
plies. Prominent  among  these  were  Rev.  Cyrus  Haynes,  Peter 
Downey,  Rev.  Weir,  William  S.  Campbell,  E.  Knowles,  T.  K 
Roach  and  J.  W.  Stapp.  In  1859,  Rev.  J.  W.  Carter  was  installed 
pastor,  and  served  for  nine  years.  Following  him  were  T.  S.  Mc- 
Clure,  Rev.  Richardson,  J.  H.  Morgan,  and  the  present  pastor,  J. 


564  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

D.  .b'oster.  There  has  been  two  church  buildings  erected.  The 
first  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  supposed  to  be  the 
work  of  an  incendiary.  Another  structure  was  erected  on  the 
same  site,  at  Walnut  Grove,  two  miles  and  a  half  southeast  of 
Good  Hope.  This  building  was  removed  to  Good  Hope  and  re- 
modeled. The  present  membership  is  100.  The  value  of 
church  property  is  $3,500.  The  first  Elders  were  Michael  Yin- 
cent,  Levi  Hamilton  and  J.  S.  Campbell.  Present  officers  are  L. 
Hamilton,  J.  S.  Campbell,  Silas  Creel,  JEenry  Baker,  A.  Allison, 
H.  A.  Allison,  W.  T.  Brooking,  Mr.  Hamilton,  C.  H.  Creel  and 
John  Edmonston.  H.  A.  Allison  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School. 
Average  attendance  is  eighty. 

Industry. — This  congregation  was  organized  at  the  house  of 
Thomas  Adkisson,  November  3,  1843,  with  the  following  mem- 
bers:  Nathan  Compton,  Sarah  Compton,  John  Compton,  Sarah 
Adkisson,  William  C.  McKamy,  Mrs.  0.  H.  McKamy,  Jane  P. 
McKamy,  Elizabeth  McKamy,  John  McKamy,  Margaret  Camp- 
bell, Torn.  Pollock,  Elizabeth  Osborn,  A.  J.  Osborn,  Stephen 
Cockerham,  Rachel  Cockerham,  Martha  Bridges,  Walter  Mean, 
Joseph  Peck,  Martha  M.  Berry  and  A.  H.  Berry.  Nathan 
Campbell  was  elected  Elder.  The  congregation  was  first  named 
Grindstone.  Shortly  after  the  organization,  meetings  were  held 
in  S.  Cockerham's  house.  After  this  the  camp  grounds  were 
used,  which  were  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Washington  Vail. 
In  1845  a  Union  Church  house  was  erected,  which,  at  present, 
stands  unoccupied  one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Industry.  This 
building  was  used  until  the  one  occupied  at  present  was  erected. 
The  congregation  is  not  now  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 
The  membership  is  forty-two;  value  of  church,  $2,500.  They  have 
no  Sunday  School.  Rev.  Wm.  C.  McKany  preaches  occasionally. 
J.  II.  Berry  was  the  first  supply.  Several  very  successful  meetings 
were  held  in  the  early  existence  of  this  church.'  One  shortly 
after  its  organization,  when  seventeen  professed  religion.  An- 
other commencing  August  18,  1844,  when  twenty-six  united  with 
them. 

West  Prairie. — This  congregation  was  originally  organized  at 
"Sixteen"  school  house,  where  meetings  were  held  until  the  erec- 
tion of  the  church.  Meetings  were  also  held  in  the  school  house 
of  district  number  three,  Eldorado  township,  by  another  little 
band.  At  the  close  of  the  rebelion,  Rev.  Jemes  Russell,  who  had 
served  as  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  was  employed  by  these  and 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  565 

other  congregations,  and  by  his  earnest  labor  he  united  the  two, 
and  urged  the  building  of  a  church  edifice,  which  was  done  in 
1867,  at  a  cost  of  §3,300.  The  building  is  a  neat  frame  about 
thirty-three  feet  by  fifty.  It  is  located  upon  the  southwest  cor- 
ner ot  section  nine,  Eldorado  township.  Rev.  James  Russell  was 
the  first  pastor,  Rev.  McClellan  followed,  and  at  present,  Rev. 
James  Morgan  has  pastoral  charge.  Pastor's  salary  for  one-half 
of  his  time,  §400.  The  church  has  been  rather  prosperous,  and 
now  has  a  membership  of  fifty-five.  The  elders  are,  Samuel  Wil- 
coxen,  Thomas  Moore,  William  McFadden  and  William  M. 
Hammock.  Deacons  :  Henry  Hushaw  and  John  Burson.  Trus- 
tees :  Samuel  Wilcoxen,  Isaac  Chandler  and  Thomas  Moore.  The 
Sunday  school,  under  the  superinteadency  of  Maxwell  Kennedy, 
is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  The  average  attendance  is  sixty. 

COXGREGATIONALISTS. 

This  branch  of  the  Church  of  Christ  has  never  succeeded  in 
any  special  degree  in  this  county,  there  being  two  congregations 
organized,  one  at  Prairie  City  and  the  other  at  Macomb.  In  both 
places  neat  and  commodious  houses  of  worship  have  been  erected, 
and  every  advantage  would  seem  to  be  enjoyed  by  them,  but  pros- 
perity does  not  seem  to  attend  them  in  the  way  of  membership, 
the  entire  number  in  the  two  churches  being  only  one  hundred 
and  fifteen.  The  first  congregation  organized  was  that  of 

Prairie  City — The  First  Congregational  Church  of  Prairie  City 
was  organized  at  Virgil,  Fulton  county,  October  1,  1842.  The 
Rev.  Levi  Spencer,  who  was  laboring  at  Canton,  had  held  a  series 
of  meetings  at  this  place,  and  his  conversions  formed  a  nucleus 
out  of  which  this  congregation  was  organized,  and  consisted  of 
the  following  eleven  members  :  Ezra  D.  Smith,  Cyntha  Smith, 
A.  G.  Andrews,  Frederick  R.  Andrews,  George  S.  Smith,  Almon 
Tainter,  Levi  Curtis,  Kancy  Smith,  Sarah  Schofield,  Laura  Gor- 
ham  and  Chloe  Andrews.  This  church  was  dependant  on  the 
Home  Missionary  Society  until  November  15,  1845  ;  then  for  ten 
years  it  received  aid  from  the  Knox  Presbytery.  After  that,  and 
until  1868,  aid  came  from  the  Home  Missionary  Society.  The 
church  was  removed  to  Prairie  City,  October  9,  1858,  and  those 
called  to  labor  with  the  church  since,  as  pastor,  were  Revs.  Samuel 
Dilley,  B.  F.  Worrell,  A.  Y.  Drake,  L.  Jones  and  H.  B.  Swift. 
Initiatory  steps  were  taken  October  6,  1860,  toward  erecting  a 
H— 36 


566 

house  of  worship.  The  building  was  completed  and  'dedicated 
September  27,  1865.  It  is  a  good,  substantial  frame  building, 
costing  $3, 000.  The  present  membership  is  thirty-five.  oS"o  pastor 
employed  since  December,  1876.  Trustees,  B.  F.  Hoyt,  Francis 
T.  Emery,  E.  D.  Smith  and  E.  S.  Bates.  Deacons,  B.  F.  Hoyt 
and  E.  S.  Bates.  Clerk,  E.  A.  Boyntou.  Annual  contributions, 
$800.  B/  F.  Hoyt,  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  At- 
tendance, thirty-five.  Contributions,  twenty-five  cents. 

Macomb. — The  first  Congregationalist  Church  of  Maconib  was 
organized  in  1858,  the  following  being  the  original  members :  L. 
Clisby  and  family,  J.  Trull  and  family,  J.  P.  McCandless  and 
family,  James  Anderson  and  family,  Dr.  Chase,  Thomas  Gilmore 
and  wife,  Hector  McLean  and  family,  Reid  and  family,  and  Mrs. 
S.  Beardsley.  From  1863  to  1867  no  regular  pastor  was  em- 
ployed, and  no  religious  advancement  was  made.  In  1867  the 
Rev.  G.  L.  Granger  was  called  as  pastor,  and  spent  two  years, 
when  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Jones  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  Rev. 
Z.  3L  Hawley  was  the  first  pastor.  In  1872  and  1873,  the  congrega- 
tion erected  a  neat  church  edifice  on  Carroll  street,  east  of  Ran- 
dolph street,  at  a  cost  of  $6,500.  The  present  member- 
ship is  eighty.  The  average  annual  contribution  is  about  $1,000. 
The  salary  of  the  pastor,  $900.  There  are  seventy-five  scholars 
enrolled  in  the  Sunday  School,  with  an  average  attendance  of 
fifty-five  scholars,  and  a  contribution  of  fifty-five  cents  per  Sun- 
day. 

BAPTISTS. 

Although  this  denomination  was  the  first  to  hold  service  in  this 
county,  and  occupied  the  field  alone  for  some  time,  its  congrega- 
tions are  none  of  them  very  old.  Whether  the  first  organizations 
ceased  to  exist,  or  were  merged  in  others,  we  are  unable  to  deter- 
mine. As  a  denomination  they  have  been  growing  rapidly  in 
numbers  during  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years.  They  now  number 
ten  congregations  and  seven  hundred  and  forty-six  members  in  the 
county.  Following  will  be  found  short  sketches  of  each  con- 
gregation : 

Hillsborough. — This  congregation  was  organized  in  1849,  and  in 
the  year  following  a  good  frame  house  of  worship  was  erected, 
at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  It  is  located  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 18,  Blandinsville  township.  The  house  at  present  is  in  good 
repair.  The  membership  is  one  hundred  and  thirteen.  The  fol- 


567 

lowing  persons  have  served  as  pastors  :  Elder  J.  G.  Ward,  Wil- 
liam Forrest,  John  Eay  and  the  present  pastor,  Elder  William 
Hobbs,  who  came  among  this  people  in  1868. 

Mdcomb. — The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Macomb  was  organized 
in  1827,  by  Eev.  D.  D.  Gregory.  The  congregation  purchased  the 
Macomb  Female  Seminary  building  on  north  Lafayette  street,  now 
occupied  by  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  and  continued  to  worship 
there  until  their  new  church  edifice  was  erected,  which  was  in 
1869.  It  is  on  Carroll  street  west  of  Lafayette  street,  and  is  the 
largest  and  most  expensive  church  structure  in  the  county.  The 
architectural  design  of  the  building  is  rather  imposing,  of  good  pro- 
portion and  pleasing  to  the  eye;  a  very  tall  steeple,  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two  feet  high,  rises  from  the  center  of  the  building,  over 
the  front  and  main  entrance,  it  is  beautifully  designed  and  pro- 
portioned. The  present  value  of  the  structure  is  $11,000,  al- 
though it  cost  the  congregation  several  thousand  dollars  more 
to  erect  it ;  real  estate,  material  and  labor  were  much  higher  then 
than  at  present.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original 
members :  D.  D.  Gregory,  J,  Pennington,  T.  Axford,  J.  W. 
Biount,  M.  T.  Winslow,  Mrs.  Rice,  Mrs.  McCabe  and  Mrs.  Sum- 
mers. The  congregation  has  grown  gradually  until  the  member- 
ship at  present  numbers  one  hundred  and  seventy-two,  with  an 
average  contribution  of  $2,000  per  year.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  various  pastors  since  the  organization  :  Rev.  L.  M. 
Whitman,  J.  O.  Metcalf,  C.  W.  Palmer,  J.  L.  Benedict,  C.  B. 
Roberts,  and  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  L.  M.  Young.  The 
salary  of  the  pastor  is  $1,000  per  annum.  There  are  enrolled  in 
the  Sunday  school  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  with  an 
average  contribution  of  from  seventy-five  to  ninety  cents  per  Sun- 
day. 

Prairie  City. — The  Baptist  church  of  Prairie  City  was  organized 
November  9,  1856,  by  Elder  E.  J.  Lockwood,  with  the  following 
fourteen  members :  Alonzo  Barnes,  Martha  L.  Barnes, 
Wm.  Davis,  Susan  Davis,  Kate  Smith,  J.  B.  Robinson  and  wife: 
Ann  Legg,  M.  Heminover,  Martha  Macomb,  T.  C.  Luther,  Porter 
J.  Jack,  Ruth  H.  Bell  and  Rebecca  Barnes.  Meetings  were  held 
in  the  school  house  until  1850,  when  a  good  frame  church  edifice 
was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000  ;  it  is  32x48  feet,  with  a  spire  con- 
taining a  fair-sized  bell;  it  is  situated  on  Smith  street  near  Main. 
The  first  Deacons  chosen  were  :  M.  Heminover  and  Alonzo  Barnes. 
Mr.  Barnes  was  also  chosen  clerk.  The  following  have  served  this 


568  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

church  as  pastors  :  S.  A.  Kingsbury,  H.  S.  P.  Warren,  C.  llutchins, 
E.  J.  Lockwood,  Danforth  0.  A.  Hewett,  A.  J.  Colville,  and  S.  H. 
I).  Vaughn,  the  present  pastor.  The  present  officers  are  :  Deacons, 
Alouzo  Barnes  and  J.  H.  Taylor  ;  Clerk,  J.  S.  Barnes.  The  present 
membership  is  about  fifty,  and  the  annual  contribution  $800.  A 
good  Sunday  School  with  an  average  attendance  of  seventy-five, 
is  presided  over  by  Alonzo  Barnes.  The  contribution  of  the 
school  is  about  $1.00  per  Sunday. 

Independent. — The  church  building  of  this  congregation  is 
located  upon  section  ten  of  Emmet  township,  and  was  erected  in 
1858  or  '59.  The  organization  was  originally  perfected  July  4, 
1847,  with  a  membership  of  eight,  and  until  the  erection  of  the 
house  of  worship,  met  in  a  school  house.  Rev.  J.  Owen  was  the 
first  pastor,  succeeded  respectively  by  the  following :  Elders 
Hays,  Thomas  Camp,  W.  L.  Forrest,  Ray,  Canfield,  Joel  Penning- 
ton,  Parks,  Hobbs  and,  in  1876,  the  present  pastor,  Elder  W.  L. 
Lemly,  was  called.  Since  the  organization  of  the  church  220 
persons  have  taken  membership.  Of  this  number,  16  have  died, 
91  dismissed  by  letter,  and  23  excluded.  The  present  member- 
ship is  but  42.  The  value  of  the  church  property  is  $600.  Joshua 
Simmons  and  James  Simmons  are  Trustees.  The  latter  is  also 
Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  which  has  an  attendance  of 
about  40. 

Cedar  Creek. — The  church  structure  is  located  on  section  twen- 
ty-two of  Walnut  Grove  township.  It  is  a  good  frame  building, 
26x46  feet,  and  was  erected  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  Rev. 
John  Thompson,  pastor. 

Tennessee. — This  church  was  organized  February  8,  1860,  by 
Elders  Farris,  and  Garnett.  Held  meetings  in  school  house  until 
1863,  when  the  present  church  structure  was  erected,  and  at  a  cost 
of  $2,000.  It  is  a  good  frame  building  thirty-six  feet  by  forty- 
four.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members : 
Michael  Stookey,  Lucinda  Stookey,  Joseph  Wood,  Mary  Wood, 
Carolina  Samuel,  B.  Smith,  Sarah  Smith,  John  Carroll,  Elizabeth 
Hawker,  Thomas  Howell,  Sarah  Howell,  G-.  D.  Mourning,  Rebec- 
ca Mourning,  and  J.  G.  Eastwood.  The  present  membership  is 
thirty-five ;  a  few  years  ago  it  numbered  one  hundred  and  forty, 
but  two  or  three  churches  have  been  organized  through  the  country 
by  members  attending  here,  and  this  of  course  largely  diminished 
the  membership.  The  following  are  the  pastors  serving  this  church 
respectively:  Elders  D.  J.  Garnett,  J.  D.  Ward,  W.  R.Welch, 


569 

H.  H.  Parks,  T.  K  Lowe,  and  Elder  "W.  R.  Welch,  the  present 
pastor,  who  has  labored  with  this  people  before.  James  L.  Trow- 
•er,  moderator;  D.  J.  Garnett,  clerk. 

Bmhndl. — The  Baptist  Church  of  Bushnell  was  organized 
March  1,  1862.  Elder  H.  S.  P.  Warren  was  moderator  of  the 
meeting  and  John  F.  Smith,  clerk.  The  original  members  were  : 
Elder  Warren,  J.  F.  Smith,  Jonathan  (Greene,  William  II. 
Greene,  Moses  Wilson,  William  S.  Hummell,  Augustine  Kenyon, 
Jane  Fusin,  Esther  Adams,  Laura  J.  Warren,  Lucy  P.  Greene. 
The  pastors  from  that  time  to  the  present  are  the  following  in  or- 
der :  Rev.  H.  P.  S.  Warren,  William  T.  Bly,  Elijah  Ross,  Wm. 
T.  Hill,  J.  J.  W.  Place,  G.  P.  Guild  and  Mies  Kinney,  the  present 
pastor.  The  church  building  was  erected  in  1867,  and  dedicated 
in  October  of  the  same  year.  The  meetings  of  the  church  had 
previously  been  held  in  the  German  M.  E.  Church,  in  Andrews, 
Hall,  and  in  Smith's  Hall.  The  building  is  situated  on  Crafford 
street  east  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  depot,  and  is  a  good  frame 
structure  thirty-six  feet  by  forty-four,  and  is  worth  §2,700.  The 
growth  of  the  church  has  been  gradual,  mostly  by  members  mov- 
ing in  from  other  places,  and  in  the  conversion  of  the  children 
and  friends  of  its  members.  The  church  has  had  several  revivals 
of  religion,  but  no  very  extensive  work.  The  present  member- 
ship is  102;  average  annual  contribution,  $850.  The  present 
officers  are  :  Clerk,  J.  R.  Kay  ;  Treasurer,  J.  L.  Griffith  ;  Trustees, 
W.  L.  Sheaff,  J.  Dixou,  W.  S.  Hummell,  H.  Fowler  and  E.  B. 
Hunt;  Deacons,  W.  II.  Greene,  H.  Fowler  and  J.  R,  Kay.  The 
average  attendance  in  the  Sunday  school  is  eighty-five;  the  con- 
tribution, $60.00  per  year.  J.  R.  Kay,  superintendent  and  has 
been  for  ten  years.  Since  the  organization  ten  members  have 
died. 

Sciota. — This  church  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1870,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  Christian  Church,  at  which  Elder  Corfield 
officiated,  and  with  seven  or  eight  members.  Meetings  were  held 
in  the  Christian  Church  until  a  church  edifice  of  their  own  was 
erected,  which  was  in  1871.  It  is  a  good,  plain  church  structure, 
about  thirty  feet  wide  by  forty  long,  with  a  well  proportioned 
spire  rising  from  the  centre  of  the  front,  which  contains  a  good 
toned,  ordinary  sized  bell.  The  building  cost  $1,950.  The  pres- 
ent membership  is  about  eighty,  and  the  contributions  about  $700 
per  annum.  The  first  sermon  preached  by  a  Baptist  minister  in. 
Sciota  was  by  Elder  Sutton,  in  the  year  1868.  The  church,  after 


570  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

its  organization,  was  very  prosperous,  and  continued  so  until  a 
short  time  ago,  when,  unfortunately,  discord  and  strife  arose 
among  its  members.  The  present  officers  are  :  Deacons  William 
Perrine  and  F.  Hollenbeck ;  Pastor,  Rev.  Colvin ;  Evan  Rogers, 
Superintendent  of  Sunday  school.  Attendance,  thirty  ;  contribu- 
tion, thirty  cents  per  week. 

Blandinsville. — The  following  correct  history  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  church  we  copy  from  the  digest  of  letters  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  37th  anniversary  of  the  Salem  Baptist  Association, 
held  at  Macomb :  "Rev.  S.  Pickard,  during  the  month  of  June, 
came  among  us  and  held  a  series  of  meetings,  which  resulted  in 
our  organization.  By  the  blessings  of  the  great  head  of  the 
Church,  saints  were  revived  and  sinners  made  to  bow.  We  were 
organized  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  June,  1870,  by  Elders  Samuel 
Pickard  and  Win.  Hobbs,  and  publicly  recognized  as  the  Baptist 
church  of  Blandinsville  by  a  regular  council  called  for  that  pur- 
pose. We  have  commenced  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship, 
which  we  expect  to  complete  before  winter.  Have  preaching 
every  alternate  Thursday  evening,  by  Elder  J.  J.  W.  Place,  and 
occasionally  by  Elder  Gorman  Parks,  of  Raritan,  on  Sunday." 
The  following  were  the  original  twelve  members  :  J.  C.  Feigley? 
Mrs.  J.  R.  Harmon,  Edith  Porter,  Mary  A.  Ward,  Helen  Gruber, 
Eliza  Feigley,  Jane  Ray,  Eleseph  Ray,  Matilda  Seybold,  Paulina 
Logan,  Henry  Harmon  and  Isaac  II.  Bogarth.  The  church  has  been 
prosperous,  enjoying  four  seasons  of  revival,  which  brought  many 
into  the  fold  of  Christ.  At  present  the  membership  is  ninety-one  ; 
the  congregation  has  a  good  church  edifice  on  Maple  street  which  is 
valued  at  §4,000.  Those  serving  as  pastors  since  its  organization,, 
have  been  :  Rev.  J.  H.  Delano,  Wm.  Hobbs,  G.  E.  Eldridge  and 
Rev.  J.  Wood  Sanders.  The  average  salary  paid  pastors  has  been 
$550  per  year  ;  the  annual  contribution  is  $800.  The  attendance 
at  Sunday  School  is  sixty  ;  the  annual  collection,  $40. 

Second  Church  (colored),  Macomb. — This  congregation  was- 
organized  by  Elder  Doling,  of  Quincy,  J.  C.  Graves,  Galesburg, 
J.  W.  Harrington,  Sciota,  and  A.  Blackburn,  Macomb,  May  9r 
1875.  The  following  were  the  original  members :  Andrew 
Pleasant,  Hattie  Pleasant,  David  and  Emma  Hammond,  Winnie 
Fields,  Matilda  Mayweather,  Wisten  Jackson  and  Maria  Sanford. 
The  church  has  had  two  revivals,  at  which  thirteen  were  added  to 
the  church,  making  a  membership  at  present  of  twenty-five.  The 
church  building  is  situated  on  North  Lafayette  street,  and  was- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  571 

formerly  owned  by  the  First  Baptist  Church,  but  purchased  from 
them  recently,  $400  being  the  consideration.  The  annual  contri- 
bution is  about  $240.  The  pastor's  salary  for  one-half  his  time  is 
$120  per  year.  There  are  twenty  scholars  enrolled  in  the  Sunday 
School.  Rev.  William  Webster,  pastor;  J.  B.  Fields,  W.  Jack- 
son and  William  H.  Ball,  Trustees  ;  D.  Hammond,  M.  Clay  and 
Wisten  Jackson,  Deacons  ;  J.  B.  Fields,  Clerk  ;  D.  Hammond, 
Treasurer;  and  Henry  Fields,  Sexton. 

UNIVERSALISTS. 

This  denomination  has  never  made  any  special  effort  to  evan- 
gelize in  this  county,  and  therefore  do  not  number  very  largely, 
having  only  one  congregation,  which  is  located  at  Macomb. 

Universalist  Church,  Macomb. — The  first  sermon  of  this  denom- 
ation  ever  preached  in  Macomb  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Gard- 
ner in  1846.  In  1851  a  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  I. 
M.  Westfall.  The  following  named  persons  were  among  the  orig- 
inal members:  R.  M.  Bonham,  J.  W.  Westtall,  J.  M.  Martin,  John 
S.  Smith,  Orsamus  Walker,  J.  L.  K  Hall,  William  D.  Penrose,  F. 
L.  Westfall,  D.  D.  Roll,  Green  C.  Lane,  H.  H.  Burr,  John  Q. 
Lane,  John  L.  Henton,  and  J.  H.  Baker.  Services  were  held  in 
the  court  house  until  1855,  when  the  present  church  structure  was 
erected.  It  is  located  on  East  Jackson  street,  near  the  Square, 
and  is  a  good  frame  building.  Those  that  have  served  as  pastors 
for  this  congregation  are :  Revs.  I.  M.  Westfall,  William  S.  Bal- 

lou,  D.  P.  Livermore,  Carney,  William  Livingston,  John 

Hughes,  T.  H.  Tabor,  J.  P.  Weston,  D.  R.  Biddlecome,  S.  West, 
and  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  B.  1ST.  Wiles.  The  present  member- 
ship is  about  one  hundred;  the  value  of  church  property  is  $5,000. 
J.  H.  Baker,  J.  L.  X.  Hall,  R.  M.  Bonham  are  trustees;  J.  H. 
Baker,  superintendent  of  Sunday-school. 

REFORMED    CHURCH. 

Only  one  congregation  of  this  body  exists  in  this  county,  no 
special  effort  having  ever  been  made  to  extend  the  cause  else- 
where than  at 

Bushnell. — This  church  was  organized  October  19,  1856,  by  a 
committee  consisting  of  Rev.  A.  Wilson  and  S.  B.  Ayers.  The 
original  members  were  Frederick  Cruser,  Thomas  Plotts  and  wife, 
Aaron  Sperling  and  D.  M.  Wyckoff.  The  church  edifice  was 
erected  in  1860  or  '61,  and  dedicated  May  1,  1861.  It  is  a  good 


572  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

frame  building,  and  is  on  the  corner  of  Church  and  Crafiord 
streets.  It  is  valued  at  $5,000,  and  the  parsonage  at  $1,600.  The 
first  meetings  of  the  society  were  held  in  a  school  house,  and 
afterward  in  a  carpenter  shop  which  was  purchased  and  fitted  up 
as  a  chapel.  The  present  resident  membership  is  one  hundred  and 
four.  The  first  consistory  was  composed  of  Elders  John 
Wyckoff,  Thomas  Plotts  and  Frederick  K.  Cruser;  Deacons  D. 
M.  Wyckoff  and  Aaron  Sperling.  The  present  consistory  is  com- 
posed of  the  following :  Lewis  Smick,  J.  S.  Clark,  Abram  lloag- 
land  and  D.  M.  Wyckoff,  Elders;  and  J.  B.  Pearson,  J.  I.  Per- 
rine,  J.  B.  Cummings  and  M.  L.  Sperry,  Deacons.  For  the  past 
eight  years  the  annual  contributions  have  been  $1,665.  The  Sab- 
bath school  is  superintended  by  J.  B.  Cummings.  The  average 
attendance  is  eighty.  There  have  been  but  three  pastors  :  Revs.  E. 
P.  Livingston,  James  Wyckoff  and  the  present  one,  Rev.  G.  D.  W. 
Bodine. 

FREE    WILL    BAPTIST. 

Prairie  City. — This  congregation  was  organized  in  September, 
1857,  by  Elder  John  B.  Fast,  assisted  by  Elders  S.  Shaw  and  P. 
Christian,  and  consisted  of  the  following  members  :  Elder  J.  B. 
Fast  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  John  J.  Fast,  Samuel  Kestleroad  and 
Catharine,  his  wife,  William  Nestleroad,  William  Bolin,  Adaline 
Tainter,  Belchy  Mary  White  and  David  S.  Johnson.  From  1859 
to  18(58,  the  congregation  met  in  the  Prairie  City  Academy  build- 
ing; Elder  J.  B.  Fast  was  employed  as  the  first  pastor,  and  the 
first  deacons  were  Samuel  !N"estleroad  and  John  Murphy.  For 
awhile  the  church  was  quite  prosperous,  having  a  membership  of 
two  hundred,  at  present  the  membership  is  but  seventy.  In  1866 
and  1867  the  church  edifice,  which  stands  on  Fremont  avenue, 
was  erected,  and  at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  It  is  a  frame  forty  feet  wide 
and  sixty  feet  long,  having  two  floors;  the  lower  for  Sunday 
school  and  prayer  meetings.  The  upper  is  the  main  auditorium  and 
has  a  seating  capacity  of  four  hundred.  The  average  annual  con- 
tribution is  $1,000.  Rev.  B.  F.  World  is  the  present  pastor;  J. 
F.  Davis,  deacon  and  clerk.  Cr.  W.  Closson  is  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school,  which  has  an  average  attendance  of  one  hun- 
dred, with  a  contribution  of  fifty  cents  per  Sunday. 

Maple  Hilt. — This  congregation  was  organized  in  1875,  by  Rev. 
T.  J.  Dodge,  with  twelve  members.  They  meet  in  Maple  Hill 
school  house,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  section  twenty-six,  Bush- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  573 

nell  township.  Benjamin  Tainter,  deacon  ;  George  W.  Thomp- 
son, superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  which  has  an  average 
attendance  of  twenty-seven. 

CATHOLIC. 

Two  congregations  exist  in  this  county,  viz  :  at  Tennessee  and 
Macomb,  both  in  good  condition.  Contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the 
denomination  there  seems  never  to  have  been  any  special  effort 
put  forth  to  build  up  their  cause  in  this  county.  The  first  congre- 
gation organized  was  that  at  Tennessee. 

Tennessee. — About  1839,  the  old  church  at  Fountain  Green  (St. 
Simon's)  was  built,  but  not  completed.  In  1860,  the  church  was 
removed  to  Tennessee,  and  a  good  church  building  erected. 
Among  the  original  members  at  Tennessee  were  the  following: 
Mr.  Irwin,  and  family,  Mr.  McKeons,  Mr.  Rutledge,  Mr.  Neater, 
Mr.  Cosgroves,  with  their  their  families.  Rev.  Father  Albright 
was  the  first  pastor.  Rev.  Father  Touhey  (of  Macomb)  is  the 
present  pastor. 

Jf  LI  comb. — The  Catholic  congregation  of  Macomb  was  organ- 
ized in  1854  by  the  Rev.  Father  O'Neill.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  original  members  :  Frank  McSpirit  and  family,  Jo- 
seph Reilly  and  family,  Terence  and  Patrick  McGinuis,  Peter 
Crawford,  Patrick  Laughlin,  Francis  Campbell  and  Michael  Mc- 
Gan.  Services  were  held  at  the  residence  of  Frank  McSpirit, 
where  Peter  Sullivan,  Sr.,  now  lives.  The  Rev.  Mr.  O'Neill  offi- 
ciated for  about  four  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Father  Schile- 
ing,  who  was  instrumental  in  purchasing  the  lots  on  West  Jackson 
street,  corner  of  Johnson,  upon  which  the  present  church  structure 
and  parsonage  stands.  In  1864  Rev.  John  Larmer  came  as  pastor. 
During  his  pastorate  the  church  was  built  and  parsonage  refitted. 
Rev.  Thomas  F.  Mangan  succeeded  Rev.  Larmer,  and  remained  as 
pastor  for  two  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  J.  Cogan. 
The  Rev.  James  Tuohy,  the  present  pastor,  succeeded  Rev. 
Cogan.  In  1875  a  revival,  or  mission,  was  held  by  a  missionary 
clergyman  from  New  York.  The  church  financially  is  in  good 
condition.  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $7,000.  The 
annual  income  about  §1,000.  The  average  attendance  in  the  Sun- 
day school  is  about  eighty. 


574  HISTORY  OP  M'DONOUGH  TOUNTY. 

^CHRISTIANS. 

The  Christians,  as  an  organized  denomination,  commenced 
their  distinct  existence  from  other  Christian  bodies  about  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century,  viz  :  in  three  different  localities 
— in  the  East,  in  1804,  from  the  Baptists,  Abner  Jones  and  Elias 
Smith  being  prominent  leaders  in  the  movement ;  in  the  South 
(North  Carolina),  in  1802,  from  the  Methodists,  led  by  Elder 
O'Reilly;  and  in  the  West,  from 'the  Presbyterians,  led  by  Ful- 
ton "W.  Stone,  Marshal],  Thompson,  Duulany,  and  David  Purvi- 
ance.  These  men  were  moved  by  a  common  impulse,  East,  West 
and  South,  to  work  a  reformation  in  the  religious  world,  and 
were  eminently  successful.  The  leading  principles  of  the  "Chris- 
tians," as  urged  by  those  pioneers  and  still  held  prominent  by  the 
body  are : 

First. — The  Bible  their  only  written  creed  of  faith  and  conduct. 

Second. — Christian  their  only  name. 

Third. — Conversion;  vital  piety  :  Christian  character  ;  Christ's  likeness  in  spirit  and 
practice  their  test  of  fellowship. 

Fourth. — Private  judgment  the  right  of  all  Christians  in  matters  of  doctrine  and 
conscience.  They  believe  in  God,  as  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  in 
the  Son,  as  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father  ;  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  proceeding  from  the 
Father ;  one  Comforter  and  Sanctifier. 

N.  Summerbell,  D.  D.,  the  present  editor  of  their  denomina- 
tional paper,  summarizes  thus:  "If  the  Christians,  generally  r 
believe  in  one  God,  in  Christ  as  the  Divine  Son  of  God,  in  the 
influence  of  the  Sprit,  in  the  fullness  of  atonement,  in  repent- 
ance, faith,  conversion,  baptism,  holiness,  the  resurrection,  the 
judgment  and  eternal  life,  it  is  not  because  they  have  a  human 
creed,  but  because  these  doctrines  are  so  frequently  and  so 
luminously  set  forth  in  the  word  of  God  that  they  naturally  adopt 
them.  *  *  *  Nothing  is  more  dear  to  the  heart  of  the  Chris- 
tian than  the  hope  that  all  Christians  will  yet  return  to  the  apos- 
tolical basis  and  be  united  in  Christ.  The  evangelical  basis, 
insisting  only  on  pure  Bible  words  for  doctrine,  and  faith  and 
fellowship,  removes  the  greatest  obstacle  to  union." 

Baptism  is  administered  by  an  entire  immersion  or  burial  with 
Christ.  The  Christians  have  some  1,600  churches,  about  as  many 
ministers,  ninety  conferences,  and  about  250,000  membership. 
Schools  and  colleges  are  encouraged ;  and  a  Bible  school,  at 
Standfirville,  New  York.  They  claim  the  earliest  religious  paper, 
the  Herald  of  Gospel  Liberty,  commenced  in  1808  ;  now  published 
at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

*Nickname  New  Lights. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  575 

Christian  Church,  Industry. — This  congregation  was  organized 
January  27,  1858,  by  Rev.  John  McMillin,  with  the  following 
members,  James  M.  Vail,  Elizabeth  J.  Vail.  James  B.  Vail.  So- 
phia Yail,  Jessie  Brown,  J.  Brown,  Hexey  Downen,  and  Xancy 
Yail.  Meetings  were  held  in  school  houses  until  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church  was  erected,  when  it  was  used  until  1869, 
when  a  building  of  their  own  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $5,000, 
it  is  a  good  frame  forty  feet  by  sixty  feet.  The  present  member- 
ship is  one  hundred  and  twenty,  but  the  general  attendance  is 
about  four  hundred.  The  following  pastors  have  served  this 
church  :  John  McMillin,  Alvin  H.  Chase,  Eli  Linscott,  and  the 
present  pastor  J.  L.  Towner.  The  trustees  are  John  B.  Yail, 
Washington  Yail,  T.  B.  Stewart,  and  Caleb  Hathaway.  The  at- 
tendance of  the  Sunday  school  is  about  seventy-five,  contribution 
about  §75  per  year,  mostly  raised  by  entertainments.  Aaron 
Shusley.  superintendent. 

GERMAN    BAPTISTS,    OR    BRETHREN. 


In  all  their  periodicals  and  records  this  sect  is  known  as  Ger- 
man Baptists,  but  always  among  themselves  as  Brethren, 'and  are 
better  known,  perhaps,  by  others  by  their  nickname  Dunkers. 
This  denomination  claims  to  have  re-organized  the  church,  with 
all  of  its  primitive  rites  in  1708  in  Germany.  The  awakening 
that  followed  Luther's  reformation  caused  many  to  seek  after  true 
''primitive  Christianity,"  who,  from  their  Christian  association  to- 
gether and  fidelity  to  the  teachings  of  their  Master,  were  called 
"Pietists."  Their  zeal  aroused  the  indignation  of  the  priesthood, 
who,  by  the  relentless  hand  of  persecution,  drove  them  for  pro- 
tection to  Witgenstein. 

They  still  held  to  the  name  of  Pietists,  but  notwithstanding 
much  difference  of  opinion  among  themselves,  they  called  each 
other  brothers  and  labored  together.  It  was  found  necessary  to 
have  a  form  of  regular  church  government.  A  convention  for 
this  purpose  was  held,  which  resulted  in  partial  failure.  There 
were  eight  souls  who  here  covenanted  with  God  in  Christ  Jesus — 
to  take  the  Bible  as  their  man  of  council,  and  the  Gospel  of  their 
blessed  Savior  for  their  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  ignoring  all 
creeds  and  discipline  of  human  invention,  but  resolved,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  make  all  things  according  to  the  pattern  shown 
to  them  on  Mount  Zion.  There  were  eight  present  at  this  con- 
vention. The  little  band  made  considerable  headway  lor  several 


576  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

years,  when  again  they  were  driven  from  their  homes  by  persecu- 
tion. They  sought  shelter  under  the  King  of  Prussia,  and  still 
further  persecution  followed,  when  they  resolved  to  go  to 
America,  and  in  1719  the  first  party  landed,  and  in  1729  the  re- 
mainder arrived,  and  settled  in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania.  From 
this  point  they  have  spread  all  over  the  nation,  numbering  at 
present  about  150,000,  with  1,466  ministers,  with  140  in  Illinois. 

Mr.  A.  G.  Black,  a  minister  of  the  Washington  arm  of  the 
Church,  located  in  the  county  of  Kosciusko,  Ind.,  came  to  this 
county  in  1864,  and,  after  visiting  the  members  residing  here  and 
in  the  western  part  of  Fulton  county,  concluded  to  organize  a 
Church  in  this  county,  and  on  June  2nd,  1865,  through  the  kind- 
ness of  the  friends  in  school  district  number  eight,  in  Mound 
township,  were  permitted  to  meet  in  their  school  house.  There 
were  fourteen  present :  John  Pool  and  wife,  Henry  Zuck  and 
wife,  John  Crowl  and  wife,  Joseph  Rinker  and  wife,  Martin  My- 
ers and  wife,  Isaac  !N".  Crosswait  and  wife,  A.  G.  Black  and  wife, 
and  some  foreign  brethren.  After  the  usual  solemnities  of  such 
occasions,  it  was  ascertained  that  John  Pool  and  Henry  Zuck 
were  already  authorized  Deacons,  and  A.  G.  Black  a  Minister  in 
the  second  degree.  The  members  present,  on  being  examined 
separate  and  apart  from  the  official  members,  agreed  to  accept 
them  in  their  official  capacity  in  the  new  organization.  After  the 
Elders  had  dedicated  them  to  their  Lord  and  Master  in  solemn 
prayer  to  God,  the  organization  was  given  the  name  of  the  Bush- 
nell  Arm  of  the  Church.  Since,  thirty  members  have  moved 
within  the  boundary  of  the  congregation,  and  thirty-four  joined 
by  baptism,  while  sixteen  have  removed — leaving  a  total  of  sixty- 
two. 

In  1867  John  L.  Myers  and  Jacob  Burgard,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, were  chosen  to  the  ministry,  and  in  the  same  year  Hiram 
Morrison  and  P.  Carson  were  elected  deacons,  and  in  1875  John 
Pool,  Jr.,  was  chosen  to  the  ministry  and  William  Cook  as 
deacon. 

The  tenets  of  the  church  are,  in  brief,  as  follows;  They  con- 
sider faith,  repentance  and  baptism  as  essential  to  church  mem- 
bership, also  valid  Christian  baptism  to  be  performed  by  utriue 
immersion,"  Matthew  28  : 19;  members  are  to  observe  all  things 
Christ  has  commanded  them,  Matt.  28  :  20;  they  are  not  to  engage 
in  carnal  warfare,  Isa.  2  :  4,  Matt.  16  :  52  and  5  :  88-47;  they  are 
not  to  take  an  oath,  Matt.  5  :  33-37,  James  5  :  12;  they  are  to 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  577 

wash  one  another's  feet,  as  commanded  in  John  13;  and  are  to 
salute  one  another  with  the  kiss,  as  commanded  five  times  by  the 
Apostles,  and  observe  plainness  of  dress  as  commanded  in  I.  Peter 
3,  and  other  places.  Respectfully, 

A.  G.  BLACK. 

UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST. 

The  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  was  organized  by 
Rev.  Philip  William  Otterbein,  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  the 
year  1774,  and  until  1800,  were  called  United  Brethren.  In  order 
to  distinguish  this  church  from  the  Moravian  United  Brethren 
Church,  the  words  "in  Christ"  were  added.  The  highest  ecclesi- 
astical body  in  this  church  consists  of  a  General  Conference, 
composed  of  Bishops  and  three  Delegates  from  each  Annual  Con- 
ference. It  is  the  duty  of  the  General  Conference  to  enact  such 
laws  as  are  required  for  the  good  government  of  the  church,  and 
to  see  that  they  are  properly  administered  and  observed  by  the 
Annual  Conference,  which  is  the  next  highest  body,  and  is  com- 
posed of  Ordained  Elder's,  and  Annual  Conference  Licentiates, 
presided  over  by  a  Bishop.  The  duty  of  this  body  is  to  enquire 
into  the  moral  and  official  character  of  its  members,  look  after 
the  various  interests  of  the  church  in  its  district,  elect  presiding 
elders  and  station  ministers  on  their  various  fields  of  labor.  There 
are  now  forty  Annual  Conferences  in  the  entire  church.  The  one 
of  which  the  churches  of  this  county  form  a  part,  embraces  the 
territory  between  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers,  as  far  north 
as  the  mouth  of  Rock  river  and  the  city  of  Peru,  and  is  known 
as  the  Illinois  Conference.  The  next  body  in  authority  is  the 
Quarterly  Conference,  composed  of  the  pastors,  local  preachers, 
exhorters,  class-leaders,  stewards,  Sabbath  school  superintendents 
and  trustees  of  churches  and  parsonages  belonging  to  the  circuit, 
mission  or  station.  This  body  is  presided  over  by  a  Presiding 
Elder,  and  its  duty  is  to  inquire  into  the  moral  and  official  char- 
acter of  its  members,  and  look  after  the  various  interests  of  the 
church.  Classes  are  organized,  consisting  of  three  or  more  mem- 
bers, who  elect  a  leader,  whose  term  of  office  continues  one  year. 
A  steward,  whose  duty  it  is  to  look  after  the  finances  of  the  class, 
is  also  elected  annually.  The  highest  office  in  the  church  is  that 
of  Bishop,  which  is  filled  every  four  years  by  an  election  of  the 
General  Conference.  There  are  now  five  Bishops  in  the  church  : 
J.  Weaver  is  Bishop  of  this  district.  Presiding  Elders  are  elected 


578  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

annually  by  the  Conference  to  which  they  belong.  The  church 
has  always  opposed  intemperance,  slavery  and  secret  societies,  and 
has  special  laws  against  them.  The  doctrine  is  similar  to  that 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  There  are  at  present  in  this 
county  fifteen  societies  and  eleven  church  buildings,  viz. :  Pleas- 
ant Gale,  Willow  Grove,  Jerusalem,  Center,  Mound  Chapel,  Pilot 
Grove,  Lutz  Chapel,  Blandinsville,  Elm  Grove,  Salem  and  La- 
moine  Chapel.  The  numerical  strength  of  this  denomination  in 
the  county  is  net  large,  and  it  was  a  number  of  years  after  its  or- 
ganization before  a  congregation  was  formed.  There  are  now 
nine  in  the  county,  having  a  membership  of  about  three  hundred 
and  fifty.  The  first  organized  was  the 

Elm  Grove. — The  church  building  is  located  on  section  fifteen 
of  Hire  township,  and  was  erected  in  1866  at  an  outlay  of  $1,200. 
Its  size  is  twenty- six  by  thirty-six  feet.  The  church  was  organ- 
ized in  1855,  with  fifteen  members.  The  present  membership  is 
thirty-five.  Isaac  Valentine,  Pastor;  Israel  Null,  Class  Leader; 
Perry  Keithly,  Steward.  The  Trustees  are  John  Nelson,  James 
Boyce,  William  H.  Null  and  Israel  Null.  William  H.  Null  is 
Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  The  average  attendance  of 
the  school  is  thirty. 

Willow  Grove. — The  United  Brethren  ministers  began  preaching 
in  Prosperity  Hall,  in  1867,  but  it  was  not  until  1871  that  a  regu- 
lar organization  was  effected,  which  was  by  Rev.  I.  Valentine. 
Prosperity  Hall  alluded  to  was  erected  in  1862  by  a  Good  Tem- 
plar society,  and  used  by  that  order  of  temperance  workers  for 
seven  or  eight  years.  The  hall  was  thrown  open  to  the  general 
public,  and  meetings  by  the  various  denominations  were  held  in 
it.  The  building  was  about  eighteen  feet  by  thirty-two,  and  cost 
$450.  Many  interesting  and  profitable  meetings  and  conventions 
were  held  in  this  hall,  and  were  largely  attended  by  those  living 
in  all  parts  of  the  county.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  hall, 
meetings  were  held  at  the  residence  of  A.  J.  Hainline.  The 
church  building,  which  stands  upon  section  one  of  Hire  township, 
was  dedicated  by  Bishop  D.  Edwards  on  the  tenth  of  November, 
1872.  The  building  is  a  good  frame,  thirty  feet  by  forty,  and  cost 
12,000. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members:  A. 
Brown  and  wife,  Quincy  Hainline  and  wife,  Georgiana  Watts, 
Emma  Watts,  Lodelia  Watts,  James  Fielding,  Rebecca  Hainline, 


579 

'lora  Mainline  and  Amanda  M.  Mainline.  Several  successful  re- 
vival meetings  have  been  Jield,  and  present  membership  num- 
bers thirty.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  various  Pastors  : 
Rev.  J.  H.  Snyder,  X.  A.  Walker,  I.  Valentine,  A.  Worman,  E. 
Godfrey,  J.  Wagner  and  W.  P.  Pease.  The  Trustees  first  elected 
still  serve;  they  are:  A.  Brown,  Q.  C.  Mainline,  J.  B.  Isom, 
William  Watts  and  A.  J.  Mainline,  Steward,  J.  B.  Isom.  Class 
Leader,  Isaiah  Stambaugh.  Average  contribution  is  $200  per 
year.  Sunday  School  is  held  in  union  with  the  M.  E.  Church — 
attendance,  thirty-five. 

New  Philadelphia. — The  church  structure  is  situated  on  section 
fourteen  of  Mound  township,  and  was  erected  in  1868.  G.  A. 
Cadwallader  is  the  Class  Leader,  and  J.  Pickering,  Steward.  The 
membership  of  the  Sunday  School  is  forty.  G-.  A.  Cadwallader, 
Superintendent. 

Jerusalem  Chapel  of  the  United  Brethren  Chureh. — This  society 
was  organized  October  29,  1867,  at  the  residence  of  A.  Switzer. 
J.  B.  Conly,  A.  Switzer,  William  Early,  Enos  Spangler  elected 
trustees.  A  church  edifice  was  commenced  immediately,  and  on 
the  twenty-second  of  December,  1868,  it  was  dedicated.  It  ia 
built  for  the  use  of  all  orthodox  denominations  when  not  in  use 
by  the  United  Brethren.  The  size  of  the  building  is  28  by  36 
feet,  and  the  cost  $1,411  85.  It  is  located  on  section  11.  The 
present  membership  is  about  thirty;  at  the  organization  but  sixteen. 
The  following  are  the  various  pastors  since  1867 :  J.  B.  Austin, 
J.  Dunham,  S.  K.  Coats,  K.  A.  Walker,.  Amos  Worman,  Isaac 
Valentine,  J.  Wagner,  and  William  Pease. 

Blandinsville. — Elder  Josiah  Terrel  preached  the  first  sermon 
in  1846,  and  organized  the  church  same  year,  with  the  following 
named  persons,  as  original  members:  Thomas  Fisher  and  wife, 
Frank  Freeland  and  wife,  Sylvester  Ruddle  and  wife,  Jacob  Keith- 
ly  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Freeland,  Wesley  Freeland,  Joseph  Way, 
John  Freeland.  Rev.  D.  G.  Porter  was  the  first  pastor.  The 
church  at  one  time  was  quite  powerful  in  the  commuuity  and  es- 
tablished an  institution  of  learning  in  the  place,  the  well  known 
Blandinsville  Seminary,  which  was  in  successful  operation  some 
years.  The  building  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  village  and 
is  still  used  for  school  purposes.  For  some  years  the  cause  has 
not  prospered  so  well  and  is  attributed  by  its  members  from  the 
fact  the  society  has  always  opposed  slavery  and  secret  societies. 


580  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

They  have  a  church  building  valued  at  $1,200,  and  a  parsonage 
$250.  They  pay  pastor  $100  for  one-third  his  time,  and  raise  for 
all  church  purposes  $200  per  year.  The  society  is  financially 
weak.  In  the  Sunday  school  they  have  enrolled  seventy-iive  with 
an  average  attendance  of  fifty,  and  raise  about  $25  per  year  for 
school  purposes,  J.  Dunham  is  the  presiding  elder  for  the  dis- 
trict, and  has  occupied  like  position  for  many  years.  The  follow- 
ing named  have  served  as  pastors ;  D.  T.  Porter,  J.  R.  Evans,  J. 
Dunham,  J.  L.  Condon,  A.  Wimset,  Newton  Walker,  David  Mar- 
tin, L.  P.  Parvin,  Isaac  Valentine,  and  A.  Callahan. 

Pleasant  Gale. — This  church  was  organized  in  1868  by  Rev.  J. 
Dunham,  about  one  mile  east  of  the  present  church  building, 
which  is  located  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  eight,  Sciota 
township,  and  was  dedicated  November  1,  1874,  by  Rev.  N.  A. 
Walker.  The  building  is  a  good  frame  structure,  and  cost  $2,000 
to  erect  it.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members  : 
Samuel  Rush  and  wife,  Mr.  Elwell  and  wife,  Mrs.  B.  K.  Purkey 
and  Mrs.  Samuel  McDonald.  Revival  meetings  have  been  held 
by  Revs.  Dunham,  Martin,  Worman,  Wagner,  Smith  and  Pease, 
which  resulted  in  additions  to  the  church  each  meeting.  The 
growth  has  been  continual  and  steady,  both  in  numbers  and 
spirituality.  The  following  have  served  as  pastors  :  Revs.  J. 
Dunham,  S.  K.  Coats,  I.  Valentine,  A.  Worman,  ST.  A.  Walker,  I. 
Wagner,  and  W.  P.  Pease,  the  present  pastor.  The  trustees  are 
W.  H.  Allen,  Samuel  Rush  and  Joseph  Breiner.  The  present 
membership  is  fifty.  Annual  contributions,  $450.  Average  sal- 
ary of  pastor  for  one-fourth  of  his  time,  $150.  Value  of  church 
building,  $2,000 ;  value  of  parsonage  in  the  town  of  Good  Hope, 
$450.  The  average  attendance  of  the  Sunday  school  is  fifty. 
Thomas  Kellough,  Class  Leader,  and  George  Torrence,  Steward. 

Centre  Chapel. — This  Church  was  organized  in  November,  1875, 
by  Rev.  W.  P.  Pease,  and  with  the  following  thirty-six  members  : 
John  Snook,  Thomas  Brooks,  Henry  Rodenbach,  Andrew  J. 
Hyde,  George  B.  Hastings,  Edith  Snook,  Sarah  Brooks,  Elias  R. 
Smith,  Cyntha  Arbogast,  Mary  M.  Hastings,  Richard  H.  Paugh, 
Edwin  M.  Smith,  Belle  Smith,  Eva  Smith,  John  Snapp,  Barbara 
Cinn.  Snapp,  David  Hyde,  Eliza  Hyde,  James  C.  Booth,  Sarah 
Booth,  George  W.  Hudson,  Rebecca  Hudson,  Simon  Rutledge, 
Mercy  Rutledge,  R.  G.  Carter,  Mattie  Carter,  Matthew  M.  Boden, 
Francis  Boden,  Jacob  Van  Doren,  Margaret  Van  Doren,  Catha- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOUGH  COUNTY.  581 

rine  Van  Doren,  Harry  Rodenbach,  Joseph  Arthur,  Elizabeth  Ar- 
thur, Henry  Hudson  and  J.  W.  'Buckley.  Since  the  organization 
the  names  of  J.  C.  Barrett  and  Lizzie  Robertson  have  been  added. 
The  growth  of  the  Church  since  its  organization  has  been  more 
in  the  spiritual  advancement  of  its  members  than  in  new  addi- 
tions. The  Church  building  was  erected  in  1876  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  section  sixteen,  \Vralnut  Grove  township.  It  is  valued 
at  $1,600;  size,  30x42  feet.  This  Church,  in  connection  with  the 
following  three  United  Brethren  in  Christ  Churches,  own  a  par- 
sonage in  Good  Hope  valued  at  $450 :  Willow  Grove,  Pleasant 
Gale  and  Jerusalem  Churches.  Center  Church  was  dedicated 
December  10,  1876,  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Hott,  of  Dayton,  Ohio— Rev. 
W.  P.  Pease,  Pastor.  The  average  salary  of  Pastor  is  $125.  The 
Trustees  are  George  Hasting,  Henry  Rodenbach,  Simon  Rutledge, 
Thomas  Brooks  and  Quintus  Walker.  Attendance  at  Sunday 
School,  seventy  ;  collections,  twenty  dollars  a  year. 

EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN. 

We  are  indebted  to  Rev.  G.  H.  Schnurr,  of  Macomb,  for  the 
iollowing  sketch  of  this  denomination. 

The  Evangelical  Lutherans  date  their  organization  from  Octo- 
ber 31,  1517,  when  Luther  nailed  ninety -five  theses  (propositions) 
against  the  old  church  door  of  Wittenberg,  which  -he  proposed 
to  defend  ;  they  being  directed  against  the  papal  abuses.  In  1530 
the  adherents  of  Luther,  in  defense  of  their  faith,  laid  before  the 
Diet  at  Augsburg  a  summary  of  their  doctrines,  which  has  been 
known  as  the  "Augsburg  Confession,"  and  which  has  formed 
the  foundation  for  all  Protestant  confessions.  These  ad- 
herents to,  and  defenders  of,  the  pure  Bible  doctrine  wished  to  be 
known  simply  as  Evangelical  Christians,  but  they  were  constantly 
called  Lutherans  in  derision ;  and  since  Luther  restored  the  gos- 
pel to  the  people,  they  finally  accepted  the  name  as  an  honor,  and 
joined  it  to  their  "'Evangelical"  designation.  Doctrinally,  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  glories  in  being  "the  church  of  the 
Word,"  maintaining  the  duty  of  simple  faith  in  the  Word  of  God 
without  regard  to  human  philosophy  or  logic.  She  insists  on  the 
careful  indoctrination  of  her  young  people  in  Luther's  Catechism, 
•a  summary  of  Bible  doctrines  through  her  pastors.  In  theologi- 
cal literature  the  Lutheran  Church  stands  pre-eminently  front  in 
the  ranks. 

H— 37 


582  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Her  researches  are  acknowledged  as  the  most  profound,  and 
many  of  her  writers  are  the  indispensable  aids  of  every  Christian 
scholar.  Her  progress  in  this  country  was  much  retarded  on 
account  of  the  less  demonstrative  character  of  her  people  when 
compared  with  the  puritanic  element  corning  from  England,  and 
also  by  the  transition  from  the  various  foreign  tongues  to  the 
English  language.  For  the  last  twenty-five  years,  however,  she 
has  increased  at  a  much  greater  ratio  than  any  other  Evangelical 
denomination.  She  now  numbers  in  this  country,  54  synods, 
2,795  ministers,  4,822  churches,  and  600,353  communicants.  In 
this  county  the  first  organization  was  effected  April  7,  1871,  by 
the  Rev.  G.  H.  Schnurr,  who  located  at  Bushnell  at  that  time. 
The  said  congregation  held  its  services  at  the  Jerusalem  Chapel, 
three  miles  northwest  of  Bardolph.  Another  organization  was 
effected  in  Bushnell  and  regular  services  held  for  one  year ;  but 
owing  to  present  difficulties  they  were  suspended,  in  the  hope  of 
more  auspicious  circumstances.  In  the  space  of  a  few  years,  sev- 
eral families  having  removed  from  the  neighborhood  of  Jerusalem 
Chapel  to  the  vicinity  of  Macomb,  the  question  of  transfer  of  the 
congregation  to  Macomb  was  agitated.  The  proper  arrange- 
ments having  been  made,  a  meeting  for  that  purpose  took  place 
at  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  Macomb,  January  11, 
1875,  where  the  congregation  re-organized  under  the  name  and 
title  of  "  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,"  and  the  old 
Congregational  Church  was  purchased  and  refitted  for  Divine 
Services. 

In  the  meantime  (July,  1872)  another  organization  was  effected 
five  miles  southwest  of  Macomb,  and  a  house  of  worship  erected 
conjointly  with  Methodists  in  the  neighborhood,  and  called  Salem's 
Church.  These  two  churches,  at  Macomb  and  in  Chalmers  town- 
ship, are  still  regularly  served  by  their  first  pastor,  and  embrace  a 
membership  of  eighty  communicants. 

We  have  one  Sunday  school  in  Macomb  (C.  II.  Rahe.  Superin- 
tendent), and  unite  with  others  in  a  Union  school  at  Salem  church. 
There  are  connected  with  the  two  seven  teachers,  sixty-five 
scholars.  Average  attendance,  forty-five.  Contributed  for  cur- 
rent expenses,  per  year,  $15;  for  benevolent  purposes,  $15.  Pas- 
tor's salary,  one-half  the  time,  $325.  '  Missionary  purposes,  $50. 


HISTORY   OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY. 


583 


SUMMARY. 


The  following  table  will  show  at  a  glance  the  relative  strength 
of  the  different  denominations^!!  the  county,  with  the  number  of 
their  churches,  value  of  church  property,  annual  contributions 
for  all  church  purposes,  number  of  Sunday  Schools,  pupils  enrolled, 


average  attendance  and  contributions 


CHUBCHES. 

Tot.  No.Chu  relics 

Total  Memb'rship 

Total  Value  of 
Church  Property. 

Annual  Contri- 
tributlon  

Kin-oilmen  t  in 
Sunday  Schools. 

Avcrape  Attend- 
ance S.  Schools. 

Annual  Colloct'n 
Sunday  Schools. 

Baptists         

in 

746 

«•*)  '^50 

$8  490 

815 

6°5 

§328  00 

Catholic              

•> 

350 

9  000 

i  =>(jo 

140 

195 

Christian  ..... 

q 

1  131 

22  100 

7  200 

1  190 

777 

416  00 

-"•Christian 

1 

1*20 

5  QUO 

800 

100 

38  00 

Congregational  

9 

115 

9  500 

1  800 

120 

90 

37  00 

Cumberland  Presbvterian 

832 

13  600 

2  350 

310 

250 

148  00 

Evangelical  Lutheran  

9 

80 

1  500 

*400 

72 

45 

30  00 

Free  Will  Baptist 

2 

82 

5  000 

1  000 

147 

127 

35  00 

German  Baptist  „ 

1 

62 

Methodist  Episcopal 

23 

1  374 

56  450 

10  380 

1  870 

1  431 

876  00 

8 

890 

33,  350 

8  650 

980 

'&iO 

472  00 

Reformed  

1 

104 

6  600 

1  665 

100 

80 

45  00 

Regular  Baptist  

T 

60 

I'nited  Brethren   . 

q 

330 

13  113 

2  600 

545 

370 

154  00 

Universalist 

1 

100 

5  000 

1  000 

150 

19T 

81  00 

<Jrand  Total  

87 

5,876 

$209,463 

848,135 

6,539 

4,950 

$2,660  00 

-Called  in  derision  "New  Lights." 


584  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXVJL 

REMINISCENCES. 

Recollections  of  John  Wilson. — Until  1828,  when  I  was  married, 
I  cannot  say  that  I  ever  had  a  home.  On  the  thirtieth  day  of 
October,  1828,  I  was  married  to  Martha  II.  Vance  by  Elder  John 
Logan,  with  whom  I  yet  live. 

When  I  commenced  farming  I  had  one  horse  and  three  cows. 
The  first  year  I  broke  my  land  with  a  Barshire  plow,  a  wooden 
affair.  I  borrowed  a  wagon  from  William  Moore,  whe  was  just 
from  Georgia.  He  went  crazy  soon  atterward  and  was  taken 
back  by  his  friends.  After  this  I  made  a  wagon  myself  entirely 
of  wood,  the  wheels  of  which  were  made  solid  and  hewed  out  of 
a  large  tree.  There  being  no  iron  about  it,  I  had  to  keep  it  well 
soaped  to  keep  it  from  being  set  on  fire  by  the  friction.  I  now 
had  three  calves,  two  of  which  I  yoked  together,  and  the  third 
harnessed  and  used  as  a  leader.  With  them  I  done  my  plowing, 
and  hitched  them  to  my  wagon  and  done  all  my  hauling  of  wood 
and  rails,  they  being  able  to  draw  ten  or  twelve  rails  to  the  load. 
This  wooden  wagon  I  used  for  several  years,  going  to  mill  with  it 
and  doing  all  my  hauling. 

What  little  education  I  have  I  got  after  I  was  married.  I  got 
a  United  States  spelling-book  and  a  primer,  and  at  night,  while 
my  wife  was  spinning,  I  would  throw  a  quantity  of  brush  upon 
the  fire,  having  first  placed  in  the  fireplace  a  large  back-log,  and 
lying  down  on  the  floor,  by  the  light  given,  I  would  study.  I 
would  do  this  after  having  worked  hard  all  day  mauling  rails 
and  other  work.  In  this  way  I  soon  mastered  my  speller  and 
primer  and  then  took  up  the  Bible,  reading  it  through  twice, 
when  I  thought  myself  able  to  read  anything.  By  the  same 
course  of  study  I  obtained  a  little  knowledge  of  geography  and 
arithmetic. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  585 

Game  was  very  abundant  in  the  early  times,  and  wild  animals 
were  not  uncommon,  such  as  .wolf,  wildcat,  fox,  lynx,  badgers, 
-and  even  the  black  bear.  Deer  were  very  plentiful.  The  strength 
and  powers  of  endurance  of  this  animal  are  wonderful  indeed.  I 
once  shot  and  crippled  one,  when  the  dogs  attacked  it  and  fought 
it  a  long  time,  until  I  got  in  another  shot,  when  it  jumped  about 
twenty  feet  away  from  the  dogs  that  were  holding  it,  and  fell 
dead.  One  morning  I  heard  my  dogs  barking  and  went  to  see 
what  was  the  matter,  when  I  discovered  they  were  chasing  a  little 
fawn.  I  caught  it  and  carried  it  in  my  arms  to  the  house,  where 
it  grew  up  as  a  pet.  One  day  some  strange  dogs  came  around, 
and,  frightening  it,  caused  it  to  break  one  of  its  legs.  I  tied,  it 
down  for  the  purpose  of  fixing  it,  when  it  endeavored  to  get 
away.  At  last  it  gave  a  powerful  leap  and  actually  pulled  itself 
in  two,  thus  killing  itself. 

I  have  an  old  flint-lock  rifle,  one  I  traded  tor  when  I  first  came 
to  the  county.  It  was  then  an  old  gun  and  had  done  much  ser- 
vice, but  still  to-day  it  is  in  as  good  order  as  it  ever  was,  and  as 
true  as  the  modern  breech-loader.  As  I  roamed  the  wild  forest, 
often  this  gun  was  my  only  companion,  and  it  was  always  faith- 
ful. Many  are  the  excitings  incidents  that  could  be  related  in 
connection  with  it.  A  short  time  ago  one  of  little  grandsons  de- 
sired to  see  me  shoot  it.  To  please  the  boy,  I  took  the  faithful 
old  gun  from  its  hook  on  the  wall,  and,  as  was  my  custom  nearly 
a,  half  century  ago,  I  threw  it  across  my  shoulder  and  started  forth 
for  game.  We  soon  spied  a  squirrel  in  a  tall  oak.  I  took  aim 
and  fired.  Though  my  hand  was  not  so  steady  or  my  eye  so  keen" 
as  it  used  to  be,  I  brought  the  little  animal  to  the  ground. 

I  well  remember  quite  an  exciting  fight  I  had  with  a  lynx,  one 
winter.  During  the  day  a  good  sized  calf  had  died,  and  that 
night  it  snowed.  While  but  doing  chores  the  next  morning,  I 
noticed  some  tracks  near  the  carcass  of  the  calf  which  I  supposed 
were  made  by  a  panther,  knowing  it  must  be  somewhere  near  by. 
I  called  my  dogs  that  they  might  trace  it,  but  when  they  came 
they  refused  to  go  near  it.  I  then  went  over  to  Yances  after  a 
•couple  of  hounds  which  were  -glad  enough  for  a  fight,  and  soon 
had  the  animal  treed  ;  it  was  as  large  as  a  gray  wolf  and  resembled 
one.  I  got  my  old  flint  lock  and  determined  to  have  a  fight.  I 
shot  its  paw  a  time  or  two  but  it  would  not  jump  down  from  the 
tree.  I  then  shot  it  in  the  head  knocking  it  down.  The  dogs 
would  run  up  to  it  and  each  time  would  have  great  pieces  of  flesh 


586  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

torn  from  their  bodies  by  the  savage  animal.  I  thought  I  would 
help  the  dogs,  so  I  got  a  club  and  waded  in,  when  the  lynx,  dogs 
and  myself  had  a  lively  battle,  but  we  were  too  much  for  it,  and  at 
last  killed  it.  For  many  years  I  kept  the  skin  of  this  fierce  lynx 
that  had  fought  so  hard  for  its  life. 

Accommodations  in  Macomb  in  those  early  days  were  not  so 
great  as  they  are  now.  Wm.  Shannon  and  myself  were  once 
summoned  to  attend  court  as  witnesses,  and  when  we  arrived,  the 
houses  were  all  full  and  we  could  get  no  place  to  stop.  We  were 
compelled  to  go  out  of  town  a  short  distance,  and  crawl  under  a 
hay  stack  to  sleep  during  the  night. 

I  used  to  raise  large  fields  of  cotton  and  we  made  all  the  cotton 
goods  we  used.  I  also  raised  flax,  which  we  spun  and  wove  and 
made  into  goods.  We  didn't  buy  many  "store  goods"  then. 

I  have  on  my  place  a  log  house  built  in  1829,  now  forty-eight 
years  old,  but  we  have  out-grown  it,  and  live  in  more  modern 
style. 

I  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Tennessee,  November,  2,  1806, 
and  am  now  seventy-one  years  old. 

Salem  Woods'  Reminiscence — To  give  some  idea  of  the  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  early  settlers  reached  this  county,  traveling 
over  the  almost  boundless  prairies  and  through  the  wild  woods,  I 
will  relate  my  own  experience. 

I  left  Erie  county,  Pa.,  May  28,  1828,  and  came  to  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.,  intending  going  to  Yandalia,  then  the  capital  of  the  State  of 
Illinois.  While  in  a  store  in  Terre  Haute,  I  met  the  Captain  of 
a  boat  who  told  me  he  would  take  me  to  Yincennes,  if  I  would 
work  my  passage.  While  Yincennes  was  no  nearer  Yandalia 
than  Terre  Haute,  the  country  was  better  settled,  and  I  decided  to 
accept  his  offer.  Arriving  at  Yincennes,  I  at  once  started  on  foot 
to  Yandalia,  traveling  one  day  thirty  miles  and  passing  but  one 
house.  At  the  capital  I  called  upon  the  State  Auditor  and  told 
him  I  wanted  to  pay  my  taxes  on  a  quarter  section  of  land,  the 
same  I  now  own  and  on  which  I  have  lived  for  forty-seven  years. 
He  asked  me  if  I  had  any  State  paper,  when  I  answered  that  I 
had  nothing  but  silver.  My  taxes  were  one  dollar  and  sixty  cents. 
He  took  one  half  of  a  three  dollar  bill,  telling  me  to  add  ten  cents 
to  it  and  it  would  settle  the  bill.  This  he  let  me  have  for  seventy- 
five  cents.  I  therefore  paid  my  taxes  for  eighty-five  cents. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  587 

Being  very  anxious  to  reach  McDonough  county,  I  start- 
ed from  Vandalia  late  in  the  afternoon  thinking  to  stop 
at  a  house  I  was  informed  was  only  six  miles  on  the 
road.  This  house  I  reached  just  before  sundown,  where 
I  found  the  woman  sick  and  was  refused  admittance.  I  then  had 
to  trudge  on  six  miles  to  the  next  house,  endeavoring  to  make  it 
in  as^short  a  time  as  possible.  The  night  was  very  dark  and  a 
thunder  storm  came  up  and  in  a  short  time  I  was  drenched  to  the 
skin.  By  the  lightning's  flash  I  noticed  a  point  of  timber  some 
distance  ahead,  and  reaching  it  gave  several  yells,  thinking  it 
possible  some  one  might  live  there.  I  received  no  answer,  and 
would  feign  have  stopped  there  for  the  night,  but  was  afraid  to 
on  account  of  the  wolves,  which  were  then  in  great  numbers.  I 
passed  on,  crossing  a  creek  and  coming  to  another  open  prairie, 
and  after  traveling  some  distance  I  was  met  by  a  pack  of  dogs. 
I  called  loudly  for  some  one  to  take  off  the  dogs,  and  my  call  was 
answered  by  a  man,  who  kindly  took  me  in.  I  asked  for  some 
bread,  but  this  they  did  not  have,  and  for  a  supper  I  had  a  bowl 
of  milk.  I  then  lay  down  on  the  floor  in  my  wet  clothes  and 
slept  soundly  during  the  remainder  of  the  night.  In  the  morning 
I  was  directed  to  Beard's  Ferry,  now  Beardstown,  where  I  intend- 
ed to  cross  the  Illinois  river.  There  was  but  one  house 
there  at  that  time,  although  the  town  had  been  laid  out.  I 
came  out  into  Schuyler  county,  where,  on  Sunday,  I  met 
several  people  going  from  Church.  Of  them  I  enquired 
of  certain  lands,  telling  the  township,  range  and  section. 
One  of  the  party  spoke  up  and  said  that  he  had  the  adjoining 
farm.  This  was  William  Pennington,  who  now  lives  in  Emmet 
township,  and  who  had  come  down  to  mill  and  was  compelled  to 
wait  several  days  for  his  grist.  He  directed  me  on  to  Carters 
settlement,  where  I  met  for  the  first  time  Elder  John  Logan,  the 
pioneer  preacher.  From  this  settlement  I  passed  on  to  hunt  my 
land,  intending  to  stop  at  AVilliam  Pennington's.  On  arriving 
near  where  I  thought  the  place  ought  to  be,  I  could  find  no 
house,  no  path,  or  any  signs  of  life,  until  after  a  long  search  I 
heard  a  rooster  crow.  This  led  me  to  Mr.  Pennington's  house, 
which  was  then  the  only  one  in  the  township.  I  found  my  land 
beautifully  located  near  the  timber,  which  I  thought  would  soon 
be  cut  away. 

There  was  a  piece  of  land  north  of  Crooked  creek  that  I  desired 
to  see,  and  I  told  Mr.  Pennington  that  if  he  would  accompany 


588  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

me  I  would  work  for  him  as  many  days  as  he  should  be  gone 
from  home.  He  accepted  my  offer  and  we  started  out,  having 
plenty  of  "  corn  dodgers"  and  pork  to  take  along.  Southwest  of 
the  present  town  of  Macomb  we  came  on  to  a  number  of  wig- 
wams, from  which  the  Indians  had  vacated  but  very  recently.  We 
crossed  Crooked  creek,  where  Bacon's  mill  was  afterwards  built. 
West  of  Macomb,  after  passing  through  the  timber,  which  but  few 
white  men  had  ever  trod,  we  came  to  a  large  prairie.  Here  we 
halted  and  could  see  nothing  beyond.  I  told  Mr.  Pennington  it 
was  no  use  to  go  further,  as  I  did  not  want  the  land  thus  situ- 
ated. So  we  retraced  our  steps  and  arrived  at  the  home  of  Mr. 
Pennington  the  next  evening.  I  thought  it  a  beautiful  country, 
but  not  enough  timber  to  fence  even  a  small  portion  of  the  vast 
prairie. 

Some  years  after  this  I  carried  eight  bushels  of  wheat  to 
Bacon's  mill,  on  Crooked  creek,  to  get  ground,  but  on  account  of 
low  water  I  was  unable  to  get  my  grist.  I  came  up  from  home 
after  it  two  or  three  times,  and  still  failed  to  get  it.  Being  out  of 
flour,  I  took  my  wheat  to  Ellisville,  in  Fulton  county,  and  finding 
so  many  teams  here  before  me,  I  knew  my  chances  were  poor,  so 
J  took  my  eight  bushels  of  grain  on  to  Rushville,  where,  after 
waiting  a  considerable  length  of  time,  1  succeeded  in  having  it 
ground.  At  Ellisville  I  met  two  four-horse  teams  all  the  way 
from  Burlington,  Iowa,  and,  like  me,  they  had  to  go  on  to  Rush- 
ville to  have  their  grain  ground.  Such  experience  as  this  would 
terrify  the  modern  farmer,  but  they  are  only  a  specimen  of  what 
the  early  settler  had  to  undergo. 

Silas  J.  Creel's  Reminiscences. — In  1838  I  settled  on  a  piece  of 
Congress  land,  which  was  said  at  the  time  not  to  be  in  market. 
It  was  located  in  what  was  called  the  "  Lost  Township.  "  I  built 
a  house  and  cultivated  a  portion  of  the  land,  thinking  I  would 
soon  be  entitled  to  a  pre-emption.  Some  years  after  Congress 
passed  a  new  pre-emption  act,  in  substance,  that  if  any  person, 
after  its  passage  and  approval,  would  build  a  house  and  move  up- 
on its  land,  shall  be  entitled  to  pre-emption.  This  act  applied  to 
the  farm  I  was  already  living  on,  so  that  if  any  one,  according  to 
the  provision's  of  this  act,  had  erected  a  house  upon  the  premises 
and  moved  into  it,  they  could  have  taken  it  from  me,  a  proceed- 
ing that  I  did  not  care  to  have  done.  In  order  that  I  should  com- 
ply fully  with  the  act,  I  must  move  on  and  build.  I  therefore 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  589 

moved  off  the  place,  and  with  my  neighbors,  many  of  whom 
lived  a  great  distance,  went  five  miles  to  Spring  creek,  cut 
logs,  hauled  them  up  and  erected  a  house  in  one  day — fourteen  by 
sixteen  feet — in  which  I  moved  with  my  family,  in  strict  compli- 
ance with  the  very  letter  of  the  act.  I  then  went  to  Quincy,  filed 
my  claim,  and  in  five  years  proved  up,  got  my  deed,  and  hold  it 
to  this  day. 

Robert  L.  Dark's  Reminiscences. — I  first  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1829  and  with  my  family  camped  upon  Camp  Creek.  The 
Indians  were  then  still  numerous  in  the  county  and  often  came  to 
our  cabin.  My  wife  could  not  rid  herself  of  a  natural  fear  of  the 
red  man,  and  desired  to  return  to  Schuyler  county,  from  which 
we  removed.  To  this  I  objected.  Twice,  while  I  was  away,  she 
packed  up  all  our  household  goods,  preparatory  to  starting,  but  I 
returned  just  in  time  to  stop  all  such  proceedings.  Business  again 
called  me  away,  and  I  had  no  sooner  left  than  she  again  packed 
up,  and  loading  the  goods  on  the  wagon,  with  our  two  little  ones 
she  started  for  the  vicinity  of  Eushville.  I  met  them  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  Schuyler  county  line  and  tried  to  prevail  on  her  to 
return,  but  this  time  without  avail.  Xo  amount  of  coaxing  could 
make  her  change  her  mind.  As  "the  mountain  would  not  go  to 
Mahomet,  Mahomet  would  have  to  go  to  the  mountain,"  so  I  went 
with  her,  and  we  settled  near  Rushville,  where  we  lived  about 
four  years,  and  as  a  considerable  settlement  had  been  made  near  the 
present  town  of  Industry,  I  again  prevailed  on  my  wife  to  go 
with  me  to  McDonough  county,  where  I  settled  on  the  farm  on 
which  I  now  live,  on  section  30,  Industry  township.  I  have 
never  regretted  so  doing,  notwithstanding  we  have  seen  hard 
times,  yet  we  believe  ''all  is  for  the  best." 

JIartha  Russell's  Reminiscences. — My  father,  William  Pringle, 
moved  to  this  county  in  1830,  when  I  was  a  very  young  girl ;  but 
I  remember  the 'occurrences  of  that  day  very  distinctly.  The 
"big  snow"  of  that  year  comes  to  my  mind  just  as  vividly  as  if  it 
was  but  yesterday.  It  was  a  terrible  winter,  indeed.  For  three 
long  months  we  could  hardly  stir  out  of  our  house. 

My  father  settled  west  of  Macomb,  near  the  old  cemetery ;  for 
a  barn  he  used  his  his  wagon,  and  sheltered  his  horses  under  the 
broad  canopy  of  heaven,  allowing  them  to  graze  around  upon  the 
prairies,  they  going  out  in  the  morning  and  home  at  night. 
Among  the  horses  he  had  was  one  we  called  "Old  Bill,"  who  was 


590  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

as  white  as  the  driven  snow.  One  day,  while  the  horses  were 
out,  the  prairie  was  discovered  on  fire,  and  soon  all  returned  in 
great  fear  but  old  Bill.  The  fire  swept  by,  and  old  Bill  came  in, 
but  now  his  color  was  entirely  changed,  he  being  as  black  as  coal, 
the  fire  having  singed  off  every  bit  of  his  hair.  By  careful  treat- 
ment he  was  saved,  but  ever  alter  this,  when  the  smell  of  fire  was 
in  the  air,  he  would  scamper  home  in  a  hurry. 

Peter  Hale  was  one  of  our  near  neighbors,  he  living  on  the 
site  of  the  old  grave  yard.  Sometime  in  1830  one  of  his  little 
girls  fell  into  the  fire  and  was  burned  to  death,  and  was  buried 
near  by,  she  being  the  first  person  there  buried.  Truman  Bowen 
was  the  second.  When  Mr.  Bowen  died  there  could  not  be  found 
lumber  enough  in  Macomb  to  make  his  coffin,  and  James  Clarke 
had  to  give  his  wagon-bed  for  that  purpose. 

About  this  same  time  a  man  named  Thomas  Morgan  married  a 
widow  lady  with  a  little  girl  about  three  years  old.  The  liitle  one 
had. the  chills  and  probably  gave  some  annoyance  to  the  man.  One 
day  he  took  her  with  him  to  the  woods  to  gather  blackberries, 
and,  as  he  said,  carried  along  some  coals  to  make  a  fire  in  case  a 
chill  should  come  on  the  girl.  When  he  returned  home  the  little 
one  was  noticed  by  its  mother  all  stained  with  blackberries.  Ex- 
amining her  body,  she  found  the  inhuman  wretch,  her  husband, 
had,  with  coals  of  .fire,  burned  her  body  in  a  terrible  manner,  af- 
terwards staining  it  with  berries  to  hide  the  mark.  Peter  Hale 
took  the  little  one  to  his  house  where  she  lingered  about  three 
days,  when  she  died  and  wras  the  third  person  to  be  buried  in  the 
old  grave  yard.  The  wretch  was  arrested,  and,  there  being  no  jail 
at  Macomb,  he  was  taken  to  Rushville  for  safe  keeping,  from 
which  he  escaped  and  was  never  afterwards  heard  from.  Thus 
the  gallows  was  cheated  out  of  a  deserved  victim. 

The  story  of  the  "Lost  Child, "which  was  published  in  Clarke's 
Monthly,  in  January,  1876,  I  well  remember,  as  .well  as  the  dread- 
ful murder  of  John  Wilson,  which  occurred  iu  1834. 

I  was  born  in  New  Castle,  Henry  connty,  Kentucky,  September 
19,  1824,  and  was  married  to  Merritt  A.  Russell. 

James  Jarvis's  Reminiscences. — To  illustrate  the  difficulty  the 
pioneers  had  in  having  their  grain  ground,  I  will  relate  an  incident 
which  occurred  at  an  early  day.  There  were  no  flouring  mills 
running  in  our  county,  and  we  were  compelled  to  go  to  Spoon 
River,  Rushville,  Vermont,  and  other  places  for  that  purpose. 
William  Lawyer,  David  Jenkins  and  myself  took  our  grain  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOOGH  COUNTY.  591 

mill  at  Vermont.  OQ  driving  up  I  asked  the  miller,  "What 
chance  have  we  for  our  grinding?"  He  replied,  "We  can  do  it 
in  about  three  weeks."  "Do  you  think  you  can  do  it  that  soon?" 
"Yes,  if  the  mill  don't  break,  I  think  we  can."  "Can  we  unload 
our  grain,  so  as  to  feed?"  "Well,  you  had  better  put  it  all  in  one 
wagon  and  feed  in  the  other."  "Can  we  drive  in  the  lot  for  that 
purpose?"  "I  think  you  had  better  drive  oft*  a  little  ways." 
"Don't  you  think  we  had  better  go  to  Beardstown  or  Rushville?" 
"You  can  do  just  as  you  please  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,"  and  he 
turned  his  back  onus  and  returned  to  his  work;  as  independent  as 
you  please.  But  we  were  not  to  be  bluffed  off,  and  thought,  if 
possible  to  have  our  grain  ground  in  less  than  three  weeks,  so 
when  night  come,  instead  of  going  to  bed,  we  concluded  to  run 
the  mill  ourselves,  which  we  did,  and  had  our  grist  all  ground 
before  two  o'clock  A.  M.  On  driving  off  in  the  morning  with 
our  flour  the  men  who  had  been  waiting  many  days  for  their  grist 
were  quite  indignant  to  see  how  we  had  got  ahead  of  them,  but, 
then,  we  were  all  right  aud  went  home  happy. 

.7.  Tr.  Brattle's  Reminiscence. — In  the  summer  of  1832,  Thomas 
Adkisson,  and  John  Gibson,  from  Morgan  county,  called  on  me 
to  go  out  to  Walnut  Grove,  to  survey  a  new  settlement  which  they 
designed  to  locate.  We  went  out  and  surveyed  the  whole  region 
of  country,  spending  five  days  and  camping  out  during  the  whole 
time.  The  men  were  greatly  discouraged  at  the  prospect,  think- 
ing there  was  not  enough  timber  in  that  township  for  the  pur- 
poses of  settlers,  and  therefore  no  considerable  number  would 
ever  settle  there;  the  consequences  of  which  would  be  that  their 
children  would  grow  up  without  the  influences  of  schools  and 
meeting.  They  returned  to  Morgan  county,  but  afterwards  came 
back  and  settled  in  Industry  township,  this  county,  where  there 
was  more  timber,  and  where  they  lived  and  died. 

While  surveying  this  tract  of  country,  we  found  a  house  which 
had  the  appearance  of  being  lately  built,  but  which  was  then  un- 
occupied. Isaac  Bartlett  afterwards  told  me  he  built  the  house  in 
the  fall  of  1830,  with  the  intention  of  moving  in  it;  but  having 
raised  a  crop  on  Spring  Creek,  which  he  desired  to  feed  out  before 
moving,  he  placed  his  aged  parents  in  the  new  house,  in  order 
that  he  might  hold  his  claim.  This  was  in  the  winter  of  1830-31, 
a  winter  that  no  old  settler  can  ever  forget,  the  like  of  which  has 
never  been  experienced  since.  Others  may  .probably  have  told 


592  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

you  of  some  of  the  horrors  of  that  long  winter.  It  is  hard  to 
describe.  The  elder  Bartlett  and  his  wife  were  in  the  cabin  when 
the  snow  fell.  They  had  with  them  a  cow  which  provided  the 
milk  for  their  use.  When  the  snow  ceased  falling,  Isaac  Bartlett 
took  his  sled,  and  hitching  a  yoke  or  two  of  oxen  to  it,  started 
for  the  residence  of  his  parents  to  bring  them  away,  but  the 
snow  was  so  deep  he  could  make  no  headway,  and  night  coming 
on,  he  had  to  await  another  day,  when  he  again  made  the 
attempt  to  reach  them.  It  was  live  days  before  he  finally  got 
through.  He  found  his  parents  without  food  of  any  kind,  the 
cow  dead,  having  died  from  hunger  and  cold,  and  his  father  in 
the  act  of  dressing  it  for  the  purpose  of  eating.  Having  brought 
provisions  with  him,  their  immediate  wants  were  supplied,  and 
the  next  day  all  returned  to  Spring  Creek.  Such  were  some  of 
the  experiences  of  the  early  settlers  in  this  county. 

Respectfully,  J.  W.  BRATTLE. 

Martiiia  F.  Harris'  Reminiscences. — I  was  born  March  20,  1814, 
in  Adair  county,  Kentucky ;  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
in  1880,  and  from  thence  to  McDonongh  county,  in  the  following 
year,  1831.  Was  married  before  leaving  Kentucky,  to  Alexander 
H.  Harris,  who  died  in  1861,  and  had  one  child  born  while  living 
in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  We  moved  to  the  county  in  an  ox 
wagon,  and  settled  on  the  place  where  I  am  now  living,  four  miles 
northeast  of  Macornb.  We  were  very  favorably  impressed  with 
the  county,  and  thought  we  had  a  very  good  soil  for  cultivation 
but  did  not  think  those  large  prairies  would  ever  be  so  thickly 
settled  as  they  now  are. 

Our  nearest  neighbors  were  old  Father  Harris,  who  lived  half  a 
mile  northeast  of  us,  and  Joseph  Smith,  who  lived  three  miles  east. 
Land,  at  this  time,  was  worth  from  $1.25  to  §2.50  per  acre ;  the 
same  will  now  bring  $40  to  $50  per  acre. 

Macomb  was  our  trading  point,  but  it  did  not  have  the  fine 
stores  now  in  the  place,  nor  did  the  merchants  carry  the  stock 
now  kept  by  the  merchants  of  the  place. 

The  first  sermon  preached  in  our  neighborhood  was  by  Rev. 
William  K.  Stewart,  of  Macomb,  a  Presbyterian  minister.  The 
first  couple  married  was  Ja.mes  Osborne  and  Ruth  Smith.  Ruth 
borrowed  my  mother's  shoes  to  be  married  in.  The  couple'started 
the  next  morning  on  foot  to  the  infair,  which  was  near  Industry, 
and  stopped  at  my  father's  house  on  their  way,  to  see  if  she  could 


593 

keep  the  shoes  until  after  the  infair.  She  was  barefooted,  and 
was  carrying  the  shoes  in  her  hand,  and  this  on  the  twenty-fourth 
day  of  Xovember,  1838. 

My  daughter,  Parthena  Harris,  was  the  first  child  born  in  this 
neighborhood,  April  1, 1835.  The  first  death  was  Samuel  Harris, 
my  husband's  brother. 

Sailing  on  the  Prairie. — Thomas  Camp,  in  1849,  settled  near 
where  the  present  town  of  Good  Hope  is  situated.  All  north  ot 
him  for  many  miles  was  one  vast,  unbroken  wilderness,  with  not 
a  house  or  dwelling  ot  any  kind,  and  also  perfectly  void  of  tim- 
ber. A  few  winters  after  his  settlement  upon  the  prairie,  there 
came  a  heavy  fall  of  snow,  and  upon  the  top  of  that  a  sleet  of 
rain,  which  freezing,  formed  a  solid  crust  on  top,  and  over  which  a 
man  could  walk  or  slide.  Mr.  Camp  thought  he  would  have  a 
good  sleigh  ride  ;  so  taking  a  sled  out  several  miles  from  his 
house,  and  rigging  it  up  with  quilts  for  sails,  he  jumped  in,  and 
there  being  a  brisk  northwest  wind,  he  was  soon  sailing  over  the 
prairies.  The  wind  being  so  strong  he  could  not  lower  his  sails, 
although  in  a  measure  he  was  able  to  direct  his  course,  and 
therefore,  on  arriving  at  home,  he  could  not  stop,  but  run  into 
an  out-house,  wrecking  his  prairie  schooner  and  almost  losing  his 
life.  He  never  tried  the  experiment  again,  although  he  declared 
it  was  a  perfect  success. 


594  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

At  a  meeting  called  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an  "Old 
Settlers'  Association,"  held  in  Campbell's  Hall  in  June,  1869, 
Major  JohnM.  Walker  was  called  to  the  chair  and  a  committee, 
consisting  of  J.  M.  Campbell,  J.  P.  Updegraff  and  J.  B.  Kyle, 
were  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  and  requested  to  report  the 
same  at  an  adjourned  meeting  to  be  held  on  the  fourteenth  day  of 
July,  1869,  which  meeting  was  duly  held  and  the  committee  re- 
ported the  following  constitution,  which  was  unanimonsly  adopted 

CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  1.  All  citizens  of  McDonough  county,  who  have  resided  therein  thirty-three 
years,  or  who  have  resided  in  the  State  of  Illinois  thirty-three  years,  and  who  are  now 
residents  of  said  county,  by  giving  their  names,  place  of  birth,  age,  and  residence,  be- 
come members  of  this  Association. 

ABT.  2.  The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a  President,  a  Vice  President  for  each 
township,  a  Secretary  and  Treasurer — whose  duties  shall  be  such  as  usually  pertain  to 
those  offices — who  shall  be  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  each  annual 
meeting,  and  shall  hold  their  offices  for  one  year,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected 
and  qualified. 

ART.  3.  The  above  named  officers  shall  constitute  an  Executive  Board,  who  shall  have 
power  to  call  special  meetings  of  the  Association,  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  offices,  when  any 
occur,  and  shall  have  power  to  transact  any  business  in  the  name  of  the  Association 
which  they  may  deem  necessary  during  recess. 

ABT.  4.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  fair  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Association 
and  Executive  Board,  in  a  book  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  therein  to  enter  the  full 
names  of  each  member,  place  and  date  of  birth,  age,  date  of  residence  in  Illinois,  and 
date  of  residence  in  the  county,  present  place  of  residence  and  occupation  ;  he  shall 
give  public  notice  of  all  meetings  of  the  Association. 

AKT.  5.  The  Treasurer  shall  hold  all  monies  of  the  Association,  and  shall  pay  the  same 
only  on  the  order  of  the  Executive  Hoard,  attested  by  the  Secretary,  and  shall  annually 
report  the  same  .to  the  Association. 

ABT.  6.  The  Vice  President  in  each  township  shall  be  a  committee  to  present  the 
claims  of  the  Association  to  the  old  settler  citizens,  and  obtain  their  names  and  forward 
for  record  of  membership  to  the  Secretary. 

ABT.  7.  Any  five  members  of  the  Executive  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  to  do 
business  after  notice  duly  given  of  a  call-meeting  of  said  Association. 

ABT.  8.  The  meetings  of  the  Association  shall  be  held  annually  on  the  twenty-ninth  of 
September,  but  the  Executive  Board  shall  have  power  to  call  special  meetings  at  such 
times  and  places  as  they  may  determine. 

ABT.  9.  The  Executive  Board  shall  designate  a  badge  of  membership  to  be  worn  by 
each  member  at  all  meetings  of  the  Association. 

ABT  10.  This  Constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meeting  of  the  Association, 
or  an  adjourned  meeting  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  595 

Meetings  ot  the  Association  have  been  held  annally  ever  since 
the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  constitution,  with  the  exception  of 
the  year  1875.  Although  there  has  not  been  that  interest  mani- 
fested in  the  meetings  of  the  Association  their  importance  de- 
serves, they  afford  considerable  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  those 
participating  in  the  annual  re-unions.  We  append  below  as  com- 
plete a  list  of  old  settlers,  those  living  in  the  county  forty  years 
and  upwards,  as  we  could  obtain  : 

John  Alison,  born  January  31,  1820,  in  Washington  county,  Penn.  :  came  to  McDon- 
ough  county  in  1835.     Resides  on  a  farm  in  Scotland  township. 

John  L.  Anderson,  born  March  28,  1815,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky  :  came  to  this 
county  in  1831.     For  many  years  resided  in  Macomb,  but  at  present  resides  in  Bushnell. 

Andrew  Alison,  born  in    Washington  county,  Penn.,  in  1815  ;  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1835,  and  settled  four  miles  south  of  ^Macomb. 

Emeline  Atkinson,  wife  of  J.  H.  Atkinson,  born  April  7,  1827,  in  Washington  county 
Kentucky  ;   came  to  this  county  with  her  father,  William  Willis,  in  1830. 

James  C.  Archer,  born  in  Casey  county,  Kentucky,  December  25,  1812  :  came  to  this 
county  in  1832.     Lives  in  Bethel  township. 

Robert  Andrews,  born  in  Washington  county,  Penn.,  April  12,  1811  ;   came  to  McDon- 
ough  county  in  1839.     Resides  on  section  twenty-five,  Eldorado  township. 

J.  H.  Atkinson,  born  in  Barren  county,  Kentucky,  in  1822  ;  and  came  to  this  county  in 
1834. 

Larkin  C.  Bacon,  born  May  2,  1819,  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee  :  came  to   Mc- 
Donough  county  in  1834.     Resides  on  farm  in  Tennessee  township. 


Loriiia  A.  Banks,  widow  of  the  late  Vandever  Banks,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky 
nuary  15,  1806,  and  moved  to  McDonough  county  in  1835,  settlin^  in  Hire  township 
ere  she  continues  to  reside. 

John  D.  Barber,  born  in  Fairfield  district,  S3uth  Carolina,  in  1799  :  came  to  this  county 
W.  T.  Brooking,  born  in  Union  county,  Kentucky,  in  1824  ;  came  to  McDonough  in 


J.  H.  Baker,  came  to  this  county  in  1837.  Resides  in  the  city  of  Macomb.  He  was 
born  May  8,  1817,  in  Chesham  county.  New  Hampshire. 

H.  R.  Bartlesoii,  born  in  Macomb,  in  1839,  where  he  still  resides. 

Robert  M.  Bonhani.  came  to  McDonough  county,  January  9,  1839;  he  was  born  in 
Fleming  county,  Kentucky.  March  26.  1806.  Resident  of  Macomb. 

Jessie  D.  Bowen.bornin  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  October  19,  1826  ;  came  to  McDonou^h 
in  1831.  Lives  in  Chalmers. 

Thomas  Bullock,  born  February  13.  1794.  in  Downe  county,  Ireland  :  came  to  Mc- 
Donough county  in  1836.  Resides  in  Bethel. 

Robert  Barber,  born  in   Pulaski   county,  Kentuckv.  in  1822  :    came   to   McDonoueh 

county  in  1829. 

Mary  Black,  wife  of  Henry  Black,  of  Industry  township,  was  born  January  15,  1822, 
near  Washington,  Washington  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  this  county  with  her 
father,  Mr.  Alison,  in  1836. 

James  W.  Brattle,  born  June  16,  1795.  in  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  came  to  this  coun- 
ty in  1831  :  residence  in  Macomb. 

Alexander  H.  Brooking,  born  in   Clark   county,  Kentucky,  in   the  year  1818  ;  came  to 

county  in  1833  :  settled  in  Emmet  township',  now  resides  just  north  of  Macomb. 
Thomas  Caldwell,  born  in  June,  1824.  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  :  came  to  McDonoueh 
county  in  1832. 

Mrs.  Mary  Clarke,  widow  of  the  late  James  Clarke,  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  on 
the  fourth  day  of  December,  1798  ;  came  to  McDonough  count  v  in  1830  :  resides  with 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Franklin,  in  Macomb. 


596 

C.  S.  Churchill,  born  in  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  April  25,  1834,  resides  in  Ma- 
comb. 

C.  C.  Clarke,  born  in  Macomb,  November  24,  1839,  yet  a  resident  of  that  city. 

J.  S.  Campbell,  born  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  in  1816 ;  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1830,  and  settled  on  section  three,  Industry  township.  In  1836  moved  to 
Walnut  Grove  township,  and  in  1865  to  his  present  residence  in  Sciota  township. 

Nelson  Campbell  came  to  the  county  in  1835,  and  settled  on  Camp  creek,  seven  miles 
south  of  Macomb,  in  Scotland  township.  Was  born  in  Cook  county,  Tenn.,  in  1814. 

Harvey  T.  Chase,  born  May  5,  1797,  in  Sullivan  county,  New  Hampshire ;  came  to  Mc- 
Donough county  in  1836.  Residence,  Macomb. 

James  Clark,  born  August  14,  1825,  in  Washington  county,  Virginia  ;  came  to  this 
county  September  25,  1835.  Besides  in  Scotland  township. 

William  B.  Clarke,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  March  31,  1819,  and  with 
his  father,  James  Clarke,  came  to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in  1829,  and  to  this  county  in 

1830.  Mr.  Clarke  resides  in  the  town  of  Sciota,  of  which  he  is  the  founder. 

Hugh  Conner,  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  in  1809 ;  came  to  this  county  in 
1833,  settling  in  Blandinsville  township. 

John  A.  Crabb,  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Virginia,  November  20,  1828 ;  came  to 
this  county  in  1836,  and  has  since  resided  in  Macomb  township. 

William  Cannon  came  to  the  county  in  1833.  Besides  in  Macomb.  He  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Kentucky. 

Charles  Creel,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  August  17,  1807  ;  settled  near  Wolf 
Grove,  this  county,  in  1836. 

Silas  Creel,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  in  1818 ;  came  to  McDonough  county  in 
1833  ;  settled  at  Wolf  Grove,  now  known  as  Bardolph. 

John  Charter,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1829,  and  came  with  parents 
to  this  county  in  1833. 

William  E.  Crabb,  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio  :  came  to  McDonough  county  with  his 
father,  John  M.  Crabb,  in  1836  ;  resides  in  Macomb  township. 

William  H.  Dawson,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  in  April,  1829 ;  came  to  the 
county  in  1832  ;  resides  in  Macomb. 

Isom  David,  of  Eldorado  township,  was  born  in  1819  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky  ; 
came  to  McDonough  county  in  183(5. 

James  Dorathy  was  born  in  Edwards  county,  Illinois,  in  1825,  and  emigrated  to  this 
county  in  1835,  and  settled  on  section  eighteen,  Hire  township,  where  he  still  resides. 

Margaret  Elting,  widow  of  the  late  Philip  Elting,  was  born  in  the  county  of  Fer- 
inana,  Ireland,  in  1823  ;  came  to  America  in  1825,  and  to  this  county  in  1836.  settling  in 
Macomb. 

Hugh  Ervin,  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  August  19,  1810  ;  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1836  ;  now  resides  in  Macomb. 

Geo.  W.  Eyre,  born  Septsmber  20,  1812,  in  ths  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  cams  to  this 
county  in  1837.  Besidence  in  Macomb. 

Orsamus  Farrington,  born  January  26, 1811,  in  Meggs  county,  Ohio  ;  came  to  this  county 
in  1830. 

Moses  Foster,  born  in  Davis  county,  Indiana,  in  1811;   cams  to  this  county   July  4, 

1831.  Settled  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county. 

M.  C.  Foster,  came  to  this  county  from  Pennsylvania,  in  1834,  and  settled  south  of 
Middletown. 

Win.  H.  Franklin,  born  June  13,  1813,  in  Mercer  county,  Kentucky ;  came  to  Macomb 
October  255  1839,  where  he  still  resides. 

J.  N.  Foster,  born  in  Dubois  county.  Indiana,  February  8,  1829 ;  came  to  this  county 
with  his  father,  A.  J.  Foster,  in  1831,  who  was  the  first  to  settle  Eldorado  township,  locat- 
ing in  the  northeastern  part ;  his  sons  H.  W.,  W.  D.  and  S.  J.,  all  have  made  McDonough 
their  home,  and  live  in  the  neighborhood  known  as  Foster's  Point. 

Charles  W.  Fulkerson,  was  born  October  14,  1822,  in  Tennessee.  He  came  to  this 
county,  in  1832,  residing  on  section  29,  Tennessee  township. 

John  W.  Fugate,  born  in  West  Virginia  in  181 7 ;  came  to  the  county  in  1834,  and  settled 
on  section  thirty,  Bethel  township. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  597 

James  Fulton,  borii  in  1804,  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky :  came  to  McDonouah  county 
in  1830,  and  settled  in  Macomb  township. 

John  Gilfrey,  Sr.,  born  in  Philadelphia  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1793:    came  to  this 
county  in  1830.     Mr.  Gilfrey  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  McDouough,  and  was  well 
and  favorably  known  all  over  the  county.     He  died  in  1874,  in  Blandinsville  township 
where  he  had  long  resided.     His  widow  yet  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  enjoyina  compar- 
atively good  health  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-four. 

Mrs.  Flora  Gates,  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  April  17,  1803 :  came  to  this  county  in 
335,  and  settled  in  Chalmers  township.     Resides  in  Bardolph.     She  is  the  mother  of 
Thomas  R.  and  John  M.  Wilcox,  well  known  residents  of  the  county. 

Thomas  M.  Gilfrey,  born  in  Philadelphia  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1820;  came  to  this 
county  in  1836.  Resides  on  a  farm  in  Blandinsville  township. 

David  Glenn,  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia  in  1793;   came  to  McDonough  county  in 

lo  *">•>• 

S.  F.  Greenup.  Place  of  birth.  Monroe  county.  Kentucky,  in  1835.  In  1836.  with  his 
father,  John  Greenup :  came  to  McDonough  county  and  settled  in  Pennington's  Point. 

Charles  W.  Greenup  came  to  this  county  in  1836.  Was  born  in  Monroe  county  Ken- 
tucky, in  1829. 

William  Greenup.  born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky  :  came  to  this  county  in  1836  with 
his  father,  John  Greenup.  Resides  in  Scotland  township. 

Nathaniel  Grigsby,  born  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  May  8,  1825,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1830. 

Redman  Grigsby,  born  in  Prince  William  county,  Virginia ;  in  1800,  came  to  this 
county  in  1830  ;  residence  in  Blandinsville  township. 

Silas  J.  Grigsby.  born  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  in  1823 :  came  to  McDonoueh 
county  in  1830:  residence,  Blandinsville. 

George  G.  Guy  came  to  McDonough  county  in  1836,  and  settled  on  section  20  Em- 
met township,  where  he  still  resides  ;  was  born  September  2,  1808,  in  Adair  countv. 
Kentucky. 

Cynthia  A.  Hall,  wife  of  David  Hall,  was  born  February  6,  1322.  in  Washington  coun- 
ty, Kentucky,  and  came  to  this  county  with  her  father,  William  Willis,  in  1830  •  resides 
in  Sciota  township. 

-  J°hu  T.  Hagerty  born  February  8,  1817,   in  Harrison  county,  Kentuckv  :   came  to  the 
State  in  1830  and  the  county  in  1835  ;  now  resides  in  Macomb. 

William  S.  Hail,  Macomb,  born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  April  19,  1818:  came  to 
tnis  county  in  183(>. 

John  S.  Holliday.  born  January  25,  1811,  in  Galiten  county,  Kentucky:  came  to  this 
county  in  1832  :  resides  in  Lamoine  township. 

Demothenes  Hamilton,  born  April  13,  1811.  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia;  came  to 
this  county  January  6,  1835  ;  residence.  Prairie  City. 

S.  Hamilton,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  in  1828:  came  to  the  county  and  settled 
on  section  four,  Macomb  township,  in  1831. 

James  E.  D.  Hammer  came  to  McDonough  county  in  1833.  Was  born  in  Washington 
county.  Tennessee.  April  28.  1809. 

^William  Hardesty.  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Illinois,  in  1819  ;  came  to  this  county  in 

Victor  M.  Hardin.  born  in  Washington  countv,  Kentucky,  in  1812 :  came  to  McDon- 
ough county  in  1MU.  Resides  in  Blandinsville. " 

Advice  Hays,  born  October  4.  1798,  in  Limtie  county,  South  Carolina  :  came  to  the 
county  in  1*30.  settling  in  Industry  township. 

John  H.  Hays,  born  in  Hire  township  in  1836,  near  the  place  in  which  he  now  resides. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Hagerty  came  to  this  county  in  1827.  Was  born  in  Lafavette  county. 
Indiana,  June  18,  1822,  Wife  of  John  T.  Hagerty. 

10?!®^  ?',  Hammer>  born  in  Monroe  county,  Marsh  31,  1831 :   came  to  this  county  in 
L834.     Resides  m  New  Salem. 

Durham  Harris,  born  in  McDonough  county,  December  22.  1832 :  resides  in  Macomb 
township. 

ii— 38 


598  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

John  H.  Head,  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  place  of  birth,  in  the  year  1812;  re- 
moved to  this  county  in  1831. 

Charles  Hill,  born  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  in  1816  ;  came  to  this  county  in  1830  ; 
settled  on  section  twelve,  Lamoine  township. 

John  M.  Holmes,  Mound  township,  was  born  August  7.  1818,  in  Green  county,  Ken- 
tucky ;  came  to  McDonough  county  in  1835. 

Charles  C.  Hungate,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1812.  and  came  to 
McDonough  county  in  1833  ;  was  one  of  the  early  County  Commissioners  and  County 
Judges. 

Harrison  Huugate,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1810;  came  to  this 
county  in  1833  ;  resides  in  Blandiiisville. 

Caroline  Hunter,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  April  7, 1827 :  and  came  with 
her  father.  William  Willis,  to  McDonough  county  in  1830  ;  residence  in  Macomb. 

Samuel  A.  Hunt,  born  in  1817  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee ;  came  to  this  county 
in  1831.  Residence,  Bushnell. 

Preston  Huston,  born  in  Blandinsvllle  township  in  1836  ;  living  there  to  the  present 
time. 

Rigdon  Huston,  born  in  Blandinsville  township  in  1833  :  still  resides  in  that  town- 
ship. 

W.  M.  Huston,  M.  D.,  born  in  the  county  in  1828  ;  resides  in  Blandinsville. 

John  M.  Jackson,  born  October  11, 1825,  in  Orange  county.  Virginia ;  came  to  McDon- 
ough county  November  11,  1836  ;  residence  in  Bardolph. 

James  N.  Jackson,  born  in  Forquer  county,  Virginia,  in  1830 ;  came  to  this  county  with 
his  father,  Wm.  H.  Jackson,  in  1836,  and  settled  west  of  Bardolph. 

William  J.  Jackson,  born  in  Forquer  county,  Virginia,  April  15,  1872  ;  came  to  the 
county  in  1836.  -Settled  at  Wolf  Grove. 

James  Jarvis,  born  in  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  August  1.  1812  ;  came  to  the  State  in 
1829,  and  to  the  county  in  1837.  Resides  in  Tennessee  township. 

John  E.  Jackson,  born  December  16,  1811,  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky ;  came  to  this 
•county  in  1837,  settled  near  Middletown.  Resides  now  in  Tennessee  township. 

N.  H.  Jackson,  born  in  Orange  county,  Virginia,  October  13,  1834;  came  to  the  county 
•with  his  father,  William  H.  Jackson,  in  1836.  Resides  in  Bardolph. 

Charles  Kepple,  born  in  Virginia  in  1823  ;  came  to  this  county  in  1834.  Lived  with  his 
father  one  mile  south  of  Bardolph. 

Robert  Kepple  born  in  Virginia,  October  12,  1812 :  came  to  this  county  in  1832.  Re- 
sides in  Mound  township. 

William  H.  Kendrick,  born  in  Scott  county,  Kentucky,  September  10.  1813;  came  to 
this  county  1839.  Residence  now  in  Macomb. 

Dr.  James  B.  Kyle,  came  to  McDonough  county,  January  10,  1835.  He  was  born  in 
Miama  county,  Ohio,  September  20, 1808.  Resides  in  the  city  of  Macomb. 

Michael  Lawyer,  came  to  McDonough  county,  in  1837,  settled  on  section  34,  Tennessee 
township,  where  he  yet  lives.  He  was  born  September  16,  1798,  in  Virginia. 

John  Ledgerwood,  born  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  December  17,  1810  ;  moved  to  this 
county  in  1836,  and  located  on  section  seventeen,  Emmet  township. 

Nancy  Logan,  born  in  Green  county,  Kentucky,  January  13,  1802.  and  with  her  late 
husband,  Elder  John  Logan,  came  tn  this  county  in  1828. 

Samuel  C.  Logan,  born  October  24,  1822,  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky  :  came  to  Mc- 
Donough county  in  1828.  Resides  on  a  farm  in  Hire  township. 

Margaret  Morrow  was  born  June  22,  1826,  in  Rhoan  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came 
to  McDonough  county  in  1834.  Wife  of  Samuel  Morrow,  of  Scotland  township. 

John  McCormack,  an  early  settler  of  Bethel  township,  was  born  in  Maryland,  August 
21,  1789,  and  came  to  the  county  in  1835. 

Edward  McDonough,  born  in  this  county  on  the  fourteenth  of  April,  1832 ;  resides  in 
Macomb. 

James  McMillan,  of  Scotland  township,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Virginia, 
August  14,  1822,  and  came  to  McDonough  county  September  25,  1835. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  599 

John  Login,  Jr.,  bDrn  Oitobar  13,  1821,  in,  Dnbois  connty,  Indiana ;  came  to  this 
county  in  the  early  part  of  1828  with  his  father,  the  Rev.  John  Logan.  Mr.  Logan  now 
resides  on  farm  in  Sciota  township. 

Evan  Martin,  born  in  Indiana,  1797.  and  came  to  McDonough  in  1834  ;  resides  in 
Hire  township. 

A.  Y.  McCord,  born  in  Overton  connty,  Tennessee,  in  1825;    came   to   McDonough 
county  in  1832,  and  settled  in  Emmet  township. 

Samuel  McCray,  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  1816 ;  came  to  this  county  in  1836  ; 
settled  near  Macomb. 

B.  Mason,  born  in  1814,  in  Tennessee  ;  came  to  the  county  in  1836  ;  settled  on  section 
twenty-eight.  Bethel  township. 

Benjamin  L.  McClure,  Prairie  City,  born  March  1,  1804,  in  Cumberland,  Kentucky  ; 
came  to  this  county  in  1834. 

Michael  McDonald,  born  in  Boone  county,  Illinois,  in  1829 ;  came  to  this  county  in 
1836  ;  residence,  Bushnell. 

William  McKamy,  born  in  Tennessee  in  1810.  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1834,  and 
settled  on  section  five,  Industry  township.  4 

William  Moore  came  to  the  county  in  1835,  and  settled  on  section  thirty-one,  New 
Salem  township.  Born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky,  in  1802. 

Samuel  F.  Morris,  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1816 ;  came  to  McDonough  county  in 
1836,  and  settled  in  section  thirty-six,  in  Lamoine  township. 

George  W.  Mustain,  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia  in  the  year  1832 ;  came  to  this 
county  with  his  father  the  same  year.  Rasides  on  a  farm  in  Blandinsville  township. 

James  A.  Mustain,  born  inPittsylvania  county,  Virginia,  in  1829;  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1832. 

Nathaniel  Mustain.  Place  of  birth,  Pittsylvania  county,  Virginia.  Born  in  1819,  and 
emigrated  to  this  county  in  1832. 

Benjamin  F.  Naylor,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  March  15,  1801,  came  to  this 
county  in  1833,  and  settled  in  Macomb. 

John  Patrick,  born  in  Fayette  county,  Kentucky.  January  1,  1810.  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1835.  Settled  in  Bethel  township,  and  laid  out  Middletown.  He  resides  in 
Macomb. 

Robert  Peck  came  to  this  county  in  1822,  and  resides  in  Industry  township.  He  was 
born  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  April  24,  1824.. 

Catherine  Painter,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1804,  came  to  the  county  in  1831,  and  set- 
tled on  Spring  creek. 

Richard  Pennington,  born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky  :  in  1814,  moved  to  McDon- 
ough county  in  1830,  and  settled  on  Camp  Creek,  now  Pennington's  Point,  where  he  has 
resided  ever  since. 

Thomas  J.  Pennington,  born  March  15, 1810,  in  Monroe  county  ;  Kentucky,  came  to 
this  county  in  1830.  Mr.  Pennington  was  one  of  McDonough's  early  settlers,  and  all 
through  his  life  labored  earnestly  for  the  prosperity  of  the  county.  He  served  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  For  many  years  he  represented  Industry  township  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  esteemed  as  a  worthy  citizen  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  died  in  1876. 

Alfred  Pennington,  born  in  Schuyler  county.  Illinois,  in  1827  ;  came  to  the  county  with 
his  father  (William  Pennington)  in  1828.  Resides  in  Emmet. 

Perry  Pennington,  born  in  McDonough  county,  July  29,  1828  ;  lives  in  Emmet  town- 
ship. 

George  W.  Provine  was  born  May  5.  1813,  in  Clark  county,  Indiana.  Came  to  this 
county  November  20,  1835.  Resides  in  Scotland  township. 

William  H.  Phelps,  born  in  Mercer  county,  Kentucky,  April  20,  1819  ;  came  to  Macomb 
in  1836. 

Margaret  Phelps,  wife  of  William  H.  Phelps,  was  born  in  Green  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  thirty-first  day  of  October,  1819,  and  came  to  McDonough  county  with  her  father, 
Samuel  Russell,  in  the  year  1831. 

William  B.  Pile,  born  December  11,  1811,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky ;  came  to  McDon- 
ough county  in  1833,  and  resides  in  Industry  township. 


600  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Abraham  Powers,  born  in  South  Harvard,  Vermont,  in  1825  ;  came  to  this  county  in 
1884,  and  settled  in  Eldorado  township. 

James  C.  Roberts,  born  December  19,  1812,  in  Courtland  county,  New  York  ;  came  to 
Macomb  in  1837,  where  he  still  resides. 

G.  E.  Robinson,  born  in  Bond  county,  Illinois  ;  came  to  this  county  in  1836  with  his 
father,  Matthew  B.  Robinson,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1795.  Settled  on  sec- 
tion thirty-six,  Bushnell  township,  and  was  the  first  person  to  make  a  home  in  the  town- 
ship. 

Darius  Runkle,  born  February  19,  1813,  in  Champagne  county,  Ohio ;  came  to  McDon- 
ough  county  in  1837,  and  resides  in  the  southern  part  of  Industry  township. 

Hiram  Russell,  born  in  Green  county,  Kentucky,  October  14, 1816  ;  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1831. 

John  L.  Russell,  born  December  8, 1808,  near  Campbellville,  Green  county,  Kentucky  : 
came  to  McDonough  county  May  5, 1832.  Settled  on  and  improved  the  "Jack  Gash  " 
farm,  one  mile  west  of  Macomb,  for  which  he  paid  $1.25  per  acre. 

Mary  Russell,  wife  of  John  L.  Russell,  born  near  Springfield,  Washington  county.. 
Kentucky,  May  16, 1816,  came  to  this  county  with  her  father,  Wm.  Willis,  in  1832,  who 
settled  three  miles  southwest  of  Macomb. 

Merritt  A.  Russell,  born  March  9,  1815,  in  Green  county,  Kentucky,  came  with  hi& 
father,  Samuel  Russell,  to  McDonough  county  in  1831,  settling  just  west  of  Macomb. 

David  Seybold,  the  subject  of  this  notice,  was  bom  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,, 
in  1805 ;  emigrated  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Blandinsville  township  in  1830;  lived 
and  died  upon  the  old  homestead  entered  forty-seven  years  ago.  He  departed  this  life 
August  19,  1877,  aged  seventy-two  years,  seven  months  and  nineteen  days.  Thus  the 
sturdy  pioneers  are  one  by  one  leaving  us. 

James  Seybold  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1816,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1830. 

Joshua  Simmons,  born  in  Halifax  county,  Virginia,  in  1806;  came  to  this  county  in 
1835;  settled  on  Spring  creek. 

S.  C.  Simpson,  born  in  Tennessee  in  1811,  came  to  McDonough  county  in  1835;  loca- 
ted in  Macomb. 

James  B.  Smithers,  born  December  27th,  1823,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky;  came  to 
this  county  in  1833;  residence  in  Macomb. 

Thomas  T.  Smithers,  born  January  29,  1830,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky;  came  to  Mc- 
Donough county  in  1833;  now  resides  in  Macomb. 

William  W.  Stewart,  born  August  15th,  1820,  in  Todd  county,  Kentucky;  came  to  the 
State  in  1829,  and  to  the  county  in  1839;  resides  in  Walnut  Grove  township. 

Jeremiah  Sullivan,  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  18th,  1817: 
came  to  this  county  May  2, 1835  ;  resides  in  Scotland  township. 

George  A.  Taylor,  born  in  Henry  county,  Virginia,  January  16, 1809;  came  to  McDon- 
ough county  in  1833;  has  held  several  county  offices,  among  which  were  those  of  Sheriff 
and  Supervisor:  well  known  and  universally  respected;  now  lives  in  Industr3T. 

G.  W.  Thompson,  of  Bushnell  township,  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1824;  came  to 
McDonough  county  in  1837,  and  settled  on  section  twenty-five,  where  he  now  resides. 

John  Twidwell,  born  January  20,  1818,  in  North  Carolina;  came  to  this  county  in 
1836;  located  on  section  thirty-three,  Lamoine  township. 

Thomas  Twidwell,  born  in  Virginia  in  1791:  emigrated  to  McDonough  in  1836;  settled 
in  section  twenty-three,  Lamoine  township. 

Iverson  L.  Twyman,  born  November  29,  1814,  in  Barren  county,  Kentucky;  came  to 
Macomb  in  1836,  where  he  still  resides. 

Eleanor  Vance,  born  in  1814,  in  Wilson  county,  Tennessee,  and  came  to  this  county  in 
1830,  and  settled  in  Industry  township. 

Benjamin  Vail,  born  May  12, 18]  3,  in  Ohio:  came  to  this  county  in  1834;  resides  in 
Macomb. 

Benjamin  Waddle,  born  in  Tennessee  township,  this  county,  in  1833;  his  father,  John 
Waddle,  came  to  this  county  in  1 833. 

John  Mont.  Walker,  born  April  29,  1819,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky:  came  to  this 
county  in  June  of  1833. 

James  R.  Ward,  born  in  Washington  county.  Kentucky,  in  1823;  came  to  this  county 
in  1833:  resides  in  Blandinsville. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  601 

Horace  Ward,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  the  year  1828;  came  to  thia 
county  in  1833;  residence,  Blandinsville. 

W.  F.  Wayland,  born  in  Carroll  county,  Kentucky,  in  1823;  came  to  McDonough 
county  November  9,  1832,  and  settled  in  Chalmers  township. 

Thomas  R.  Wilcox,  Scotland  township,  was  born  July  7,  1833,  in  Fayette  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Came  to  McDonough  county  April  5,  1835. 

James  Williams,  born  September  18,  1811,  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky ;  came 
to  this  county  in  1834.  Resides  in  Hire  township. 

Quintus  Walker,  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky ;  came  to  McDonough  county  in 
1830  and  settled  in  Industry  township,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers  in  Walnut  Grove 
township,  where  he  still  resides. 

Andrew  H.  Walker  came  to  this  county  in  1830,  and  for  many  years  has  resided  on 
section  sixteen.  Walnut  Grove  township.  He  was  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky. 

Alexander  Walker,  born  in  Adair  county,  June  29,  1824 ;  came  to  this  county  with  his 
father,  Cyrus  Walker,  in  May.  1833.  Resides  in  city  of  Macomb. 

James  Willis,  was  born  January  3,  1819,  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  and  came 
to  this  county  with  his  father,  William  Willis,  in  the  early  part  of  1830.  Resides  in 
Macomb. 

John  C.  Willis,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  November  22,  1824,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1830.  Now  resides  in  the  city  of  Macomb. 

Martha  R.  Wilson,  born  in  Jackson  county,  Tennessee,  in  1804  :  came  to  this  county 
in  1827  with  her  father,  James  Vance,  and  settled  in  Industry  township.  Was  married  to 
John  Wilson,  October  30,  1828,  being  the  first  couple  to  marry  in  the  county. 

Thomas  F.  Wilson,  born  In  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1822 ;  came  to  county 
in  1832. 

William  S.  Wilson,  born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  in  1820,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1833. 

D.  D.  Woods,  born  in  Erie  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1821 :  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1831. 

Salem  Woods,  born  in  Madison  county,  New  York,  June  4.  1799.  Visited  this  county 
in  1828,  to  look  at  the  land  he  had  bought  the  previous  year.  Did  not  move  until  1831. 
He  is  now  residing  on  the  land  he  bought  in  1827. 

William  S.  Woodside,  born  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  and  came  to  McDonough 
county  in  1833. 

James  A.  Woodside,  born  in  Washington  county,  Virginia  ;  came  to  this  county  with 
his  father,  J.  W.  Woodside,  in  1833.  Resides  in  Blandinsville  township,  on  a  farm. 

John  M.  Wilcox,  born  in  Carroll  county,  Kentucky,  March  19,  1826 :  came  to  this 
county  with  his  mother  in  1836,  and  lived  in  Chalmers  township.  Mr.  Wilcox  now  re- 
sides on  section  thirty-one,  Mound  township. 

James  Williams  came  to  the  county  in  1834.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Kentucky,  September  18,  1811.  Resides  in  Hire  township. 

C.  WTilson,  born  in  Casey  countv,  Kentuckv,  June  11,  1832.  Came  to  this  county  in 
1834. 

Edward  Woods,  born  July  4,  1832  in  this  county.     Resides  on  a  farm  in  New  Salem. 

Mrs.  Mary  Yocum,  wife  of  the  late  Stephen  Yocum,  born  in  Sumner  county,  Tennessee, 
in  1808.  Came  to  the  county  in  1833.  Settled  in  section  nineteen,  New  Salem  township. 


602  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  following  items  of  information  are  of  a  general  character, 
and,  for  convenience,  are  grouped  together  in  one  chapter  : 

STREAMS   OF   THE    COUNTY. 

Crooked  Greek. — What  may  properly  be  termed  the  head  waters  of  Crooked  Creek  are 
hard  to  determine.  In  Prairie  City  township  rises  a  small  stream  which  has  been  known 
for  fifty  years  as  Drowning  Fork  of  Crooked  Creek.  This  stream  passes  down  near  the 
town  of  Bardolph,  where  it  is  joined  by  another  fork,  and  the  two  combined  form 
a  considerable  stream,  which  has  been  given  the  name  Crooked  Creek,  from 
its  being  in  fact  what  its  name  implies.  In  all  the  old  maps  published  this 
stream  is  known  as  Lamoine  river — a  French  word  meaning  The  Monk.  It 
is  generally  surmised,  though  not  certainly  known,  that  in  the  very  early  settle- 
ment of  this  country,  when  the  French  Catholics  occupied  it  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
verting the  Indians  to  the  Catholic  religion,  the  priests  gave  it  this  name.  In  the  orig- 
inal field  notes  of  the  United  States  survey  for  McDonough  county  it  is  marked  Lamine 
river.  In  its  tortuous  course  through  the  county  it  passes  through  the  townships  of 
Prairie  City,  Bushnell,  Macomb,  Emmet,  Chalmers,  Tennessee,  and  Lamoine.  In  the 
early  days  a  great  many  mills  were  erected  upon  this  stream,  but  all  have  been  torn  down 
or  left  to  the  decay  of  time. 

Camp  Creek. — An  early  settler  camping  upon  the  banks  of  this  stream  one  entire  sum- 
mer gave  the  origin  of  this  name.  The  head  waters  are  in  New  Salem  township,  where 
it  passes  on  through  Scotland,  Industry,  and  Bethel  townships,  uniting  with  Grindstone 
creek  in  the  latter,  and  the  two  merging  into  Crooked  creek  near  Lamoine. 

Grindstone  Creek. — This  stream  was  originally  named  Turkey  creek,  from  the  fact 
that  at  certain  seasons,  large  flocks  of  wild  turkeys  were  found  there.  A  party  of  men 
from  Schuyler  county,  finding  upon  its  banks  a  good  quality  of  stone  for  grindstones 
gave  it  its  present  name.  Its  head  waters  are  in  Eldorado  township.  It  passes  through  In- 
dustry, and  joins  Camp  creek  in  Bethel  township. 

Troublesome  Creek. — This  is  a  small  stream  having  its  rise  in  Scotland  township,  from 
whence  it  passes  through  Chalmers,  touching  Tennessee,  and  then  into  Lamoine  town- 
ship, where  it  joins  Crooked  Creek.  A  government  surveyor,  after  making  vain  efforts 
to  effect  a  crossing,  remarked  that  "it  was  the  most  troublesome  stream  he  ever  saw." 
Its  banks  are  almost  perpendicular  its  entire  length,  although  the  stream  is  but  a  few  feet 
-wide,  and  without  bridges,  it  is  a  very  "troublesome  creek." 

Spring  Creek. — This  is  another  small  stream  rising  in  Sciota  township,  passing 
through  Emmet,  joining  Crooked  creek  on  the  line  dividing  the  two  townships.  As  its. 


HISTORY  OF  M'JJONOUGH  COUNTY. 


603 


name  implies,  its  origin  or  source  is  from  springs  bursting  forth  from  the  earth. 

Among  other  creeks  of  small  size  are  Sugar  and  Rock  creeks,  the  former  commencing 
in  Eldorado  township  and  passing  out  on  the  south.  Name  given,  it  is  supposed,  on 
account  of  the  number  of  sugar  trees  on  its  banks.  Rock  creek  rises  in  Hire,  and  is  so 
named  on  account  of  its  rocky  bottom,  though  running  through  the  prairie. 

Matrimonial. — The  subject  of  matrimony  has  always  been  an  interesting  one  to  the 
human  race  since  the  days  of  Adam  to  the  present  time,  and  doubtless  will  be  until  the 
angel  shall  stand  with  one  foot  upon  the  sea  and  the  other  upon  the  land  and  cry,  "Time 
was,  but  time  shall  be  no  more."  As  showing  how  the  subject  has  been  dealt  with  here, 
we  append  the  following  statistics  in  relation  to  the  number  of  marriage  licenses  issued 
each  year  since  the  organization  of  the  county : 


Year. 

No. 
issued. 

Year. 

No.  | 
issued.; 

Year. 

No. 

issued. 

1830  

1 
12 

11 

17 

24l 

8 

i 

44 

ti.S 
57 

72 

1846 

68 

70 
78 
86 
66 

105 
91 
119 
124 

186° 

182 
176 
233 
271 
356 
314 
331 
270 
248 
275 
251 
234 
279 
273 
L46 

1831  

1847 

1863 

1832  

1848.... 

1864 

1833  

1849 

1865 

1X>4 

1850  

1866 

1S35  

1851 

1867 

1836  

1852  

1868  

1837..  

1853 

1869 

1838  

1854  

1870 

1839    .... 

1855 

121 

1871 

1840  

1856  

178 

1872 

1841  

1842 

1858 

188 

192 
190 
165 
2M 

1873.  
1874 

1843  

1859  

1875 

1844 

.yl 
511 

1860 

1876 

1845  

1861.... 

1    

The  above  furnishes  a  grand  total  of  6,580  marriage  licenses  issued  by  the  various 
clerks.  Of  the  number  some  two  or  three  were  returned  marked  as  executions  placed 
in  the  hands  of  an  officer  are  sometimes  done,  "not  satisfied."'  "Barkis"  was  not  always 
"willin."  The  greatest  number  issued  in  any  one  year  was  in  1866,  the  year  after  the 
close  of  the  war.  The  -'boys  in  blue"  came  home  to  fulfill  vows  long  previously  made. 

TABLE   OF    DISTANCES. 

The  following  table  gives  the  distances  by  rail  and  wagon  roads  from  Macomb,  to  the 
various  towns  in  the  county.  The  distances  by  railway  are  from  the  depot  building  in 
Macomb,  to  the  depots  of  several  towns  ;  the  distances  by  wagon  road  are  from  the  court 
house  to  the  post  office  of  each  town. 


FROM  MACOMB  To— 

Rail 
Road. 

Wagon 
Road. 

Bardolph  .,. 

« 

8 

Bushnell  

llSj 

15 

Prairie   City  

l?1^ 

ColchPster  

1&/ 

Tennessee  

9% 

11V 

Hillsgrove  

l\% 

iss/ 

Colmar  

IWj 

18 

Scottsburg*  

Iti 

1094 

Good  Hope*  

°OM 

«pa 

Sciota*  

"I1., 

1034 

Blandinsville*  

£§ 

15 

Adair*  . 

°i 

12 

New  Philadelphia*  

17'.. 

13 

Walnut  Grove*  

171I 

]7 

Industry  

12 

Middletown  

10 

Doddsville  

14 

Via  Bushnell. 


604 


HISTORY   OF    M  D0NOUGH    COUNTY. 


M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  POETS. 

We  had  intended  a  chapter  on  the  above  theme,  but  the  difficulty  in  securing  sufficient 
data  was  greater  than  we  anticipated,  therefore  we  have  to  forego  the  pleasure.  The 
most  of  the  contributions  for  our  local  papers  have  been  anonymously  written,  but  we 
find  several  gems  among  the  number  that  are  worthy  a  place  in  its  history.  Following 
we  give  a  poem  by  A.  K.  Owens,  Esq.,  written  at  our  request  which  speaks  for  itself : 

M'DONOUGH  COUNTY'S  PIONEERS. 


BY    A.    K.    OWEN. 


"Of  all  thejdear  hopes  among  men, 
These  are  the  sweetest  in  life  ; 

A  hope  for  salvation  -and  then 
A  home— for  my  child— for  my  wife." 

I. 

Coming  out  'from  the  distant  east, 

Out  from  the  ocean's  strand, 
Away  from  old  Ohio's  beech, 

Out  from  the  Bluegrass  land. 

II. 

Coming  down  from  the  sunny  slopes 

Of  Virginia's  mountains, 
The  rocky  dales  of  Old  Vermont, 

Massachusetts'  fountains. 

III. 

See— here  a  man,  and  there  a  man 
From  glen,  and  dell  and  bay, 

With  oxen,  wagon,  gun  and  hounds 
All  westward  take  their  way. 

IV. 

And  now  beside  a  grassy  mound 
They're  tenting  oil  the  green  ; 

The  thin  blue  smoke,  where  they  are 

camped, 
Above  the  trees  is  seen. 

V. 

The  night  is  gone  ;  the  early  morn 

Salutes  the  coming  day : 
In  dreams,  last  night— new  hopes  were 

born ! 

Again  they're  on  their  way  ! 
VI. 

With  faces  to  the  setting  sun, 
Their  kin,  their  loves  behind  ; 

Their  hope,  their  aim,  their  object  one, 
Each,  in  each  heart  enshrined : 
VII. 

For  nature's  wish  in  ev'ry  heart, 

Though  often  it  may  roam, 
Is  still  to  have  some  hallowed  spot 

That  heart  may  call  "Sweet  Home." 
VIII. 

Then,  what  was  toil,  or,  what  was  strife 

To  sturdy  souls  like  those 
Who  saw  the  forest  yield  new  life 

And  blossom  as  the  rose? 
IX. 

Who  saw  the  prairies  robed  in  green 

Put  on  new  life  again ! 
League  after  league  their  lands  were  seen 

In  waves  of  golden  grain. 
X. 

They  heard  the    red  man's  barb'rous 

yell- 
Triumphant  roll  along, 

But,  soon  the  hill-top  and  the  dell 
Broke  forth  in  Christian  song ! 


And  where  the  little  cabin  stood, 

Half  hid  by  shady  bough, 
Stands  towering  up  above  the  scene . 
The  stately  mansion  now. 

XII. 
And  where  the  dark  blue  smoke  arose 

From  camp-fire's  burning  brands, 
Queen  City  of  the  Pioneers 
Macomb,  in  beauty  stands. 

XIII. 
And,  so  in  pride  we  gaze  upon 

Her  spires  and  her  domes, 
We'll  not  forget  the  hands  that  raised 
Our  humble  childhood  homes. 

XIV. 
But,  as  the  days  grow  old  and  die  ; 

As  summers  come  and  go, 
Our  hearts  return  to  oth^r  scenes, 
Of  "Forty  Years"  ago! 

XV. 
To  sugar  camp  where  boiling  down 

The  garnered  sap,  again 
We  listen  to  the  deep  mouthed  hound 
(Close  followed  by  the  men) 

XVI. 
Cry  long  and  loud  upon  the  track 

Of  some  poor  wounded  deer, 
Wrhose  doom  ia  sealed— the  rifles  crack ! 
Ah  !  hear  the  hunters'  cheer! 

XVII. 
The  chase  is  done — the  trophy  won  ; 

And  breakfast  waits  at  dawn  ; 
'Tis  syrup  stored — in  thin  scraped  gourd, 
"Corn  bread,"  and  roasted  fawn. 

XVIII. 
No  days  are  there  like  "early  days," 

No  real  joy  since  then  : 
Time  robs  us  of  our  happiness 
As  we  lose  faith  in  men. 

XIX. 
O  blessed  sports!    O  by-gone  years, 

O'er  you  old  hearts  yearn, 
And  as  our  eyes  grow  dim  with  tears, 
To  sadder  scenes  we  turn  ! 

XX. 
To  grassy  mounds,  long  years  o'ergrown, 

By  thicket  and  by  thorn, 
Where,  precious  dust, our  loved, our  own, 
Sleep  till  the  coming  morn. 

XXI. 
For  many  of  the  Pioneers 

Are  camping  on  the  shore 
Of  death's  dark  deep,  whose  tide  of  years 
Will  wake  them  never  more ! 

XXII. 
Though  some  remain,  their  locks  of  gray 

Admonish    us   that   still 
They're  drifting  from  us  day  by  day, 

Adown  life's  sunset  hill. 
SEVEN  HILLS,  Ills.,  March  26,  1877. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  605 

PAUPEBISM. 

The  following  facts  relative  to  pauperism  in  the  county  will  be  found  of  interest : 
Since  August  11,  1863,  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  persons  have  been  admitted  to 
the  almshouse.  Of  this  number  78  were  born  in  the  United  States,  18  in  Ireland,  4  iu 
Germany,  1  in  England,  8  in  Scotland,  2  in  Canada,  1  in  Sweden,  2  in  Denmark,  and  the 
nativity  of  4  unknown.  During  this  period  5  of  the  inmates  have  died  and  83  dis- 
charged, leaving  there  at  the  present  time  34  persons.  In  1876  there  were  admitted  25 
persons,  and  up  to  the  first  of  August,  1877,  a  number  still  larger,  viz,  29.  The  largest 
number  admitted  during  any  one  month  was  in  June  of  the  present  year  (1877),  when  10 
were  received.  For  the  year  1863  onlyl  was  admitted;  3  in  1864;  none  in  1865  or 
1866  :  3  in  1867  ;  none  in  1868  or  1869,  and  but  one  in  1870.  Of  the  whole  number  ad- 
mitted. 85  were  males  and  37  females.  The  oldest  person  admitted  was  Charlotte 
Bacon,  colored,  the  only  one  of  her  race  ever  received.  At  the  time  of  her  admittance, 
which  was  in  February.  1864,  she  was  97  years  old.  She  died  February  5,  1876.  at  the 
very  old  age  of  109,  having  a  greater  age  than  any  person  that  has  ever  lived  in  the 
county.  She  came  to  McDonough  county  in  1832.  The  oldest  man  ever  received  was 
Joseph  Wheeler,  admitted  October  13.  1872,  at  the  age  of  77  years.  He  is  yet  an  inmate. 
The  oldest  man  now  there  is  John  Scissils,  who  was  admitted  January  1,  1864.  and  is  at 
present  87  years  old. 


606  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

MACOMB. 

When  John  Baker  erected  his  log  cabin  near  where  the  high 
school  building  in  the  fourth  ward  now  stands,  little  did  he  think 
there  would  spring  up  around  it  a  busy  little  city,  with  all  its 
varied  industVies.  Time,  in  its  unceasing  round,  brings  many 
changes,  and  the  wild  prairie  land,  with  its  beautiful  flowers,  the 
perfume  of  which  was  wafted  upon  every  breeze,  is  now  dotted 
over  with  home-like  residences,  from  the  lowly  cottage  to  the 
stately  mansion — the  homes  of  those  who  have  prospered  in  this 
life.  Elegant  buildings,  filled  with  products  gathered  from  the 
entire  world,  surround  a  beautiful  temple  of  justice;  while  the 
sound  of  the  hammer  arid  hum  of  machinery  are  heard  upon 
every  hand. 

Having  a  population  which  entitled  them  to  the  benefit  of  the 
act  which  authorized  the  organization  of  counties,  in  the  year 
1830  the  citizens  of  McDonough  voted  to  organize.  The  present 
site  of  Macomb,  being  the  centre  of  a  county  that  was  square, 
was  selected  as  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  newly-elected  Board 
of  County  Commissioners.  On  the  third  day  of  July  in  that 
year,  the  Board  met  and  resolved,  that  "the  present  seat  of  justice 
be  at  the  house  of  John  Baker,  and  that  for  the  present  the  same 
be  known  as  the  town  of  Washington." 

In  December,  Hon.  James  Clarke,  one  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners, went  to  Springfield  and  entered  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  81,  in  township  6  north,  range  21  west.  The  Legislature 
of  the  State,  about  the  same  time,  passed  the  following  act,  which 
was  approved  by  the  governor  : 

AN  ACT  to  establish  a  permanent  seat  of  Justice  for  the  County  of  McDonough. 

SECTION  1.  Be  it  enacted  ~by  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  That  the  County  Seat  of  the  County  of  McDonough  be,  and  is  hereby 
permanently  established  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  31,  in  township  6,  north  of 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  607 

range  2  west,  and  that  the  Commissioners  of  said  county  are  hereby  authorized  to  pur- 
chase the  said  quarter  section  of  land  of  the  United  States,  as  provided  by  the  laws  of 
Congress  ;  and  that  the  name  of  said  County  Seat  be  called  Macomb. 
APPEOVED  December  24,  1830. 

Thus  the  town  of  Macomb  was  brought  into  existence.  For 
several  months  our  fathers  persisted  in  spelling  it  McComb,  all  the 
original  records  having  it  thus  written.  As  will  be  surmised,  the 
town  was  named  in  honor  of  General  Macomb,  who  commanded 
the  land  forces  in  conjunction  with  Commodore  McDonough,  the 
commander  of  the  naval  forces,  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Champlain. 
General  Macomb  was  for  many  years  the  second  military  officer 
in  the  nation — General  Scott  ranking  first. 

By  reference  to  the  foregoing  act  it  will  be  seen  that  Macomb 
was  made  the  permanent  county  seat  of  McDonough  county,  and 
we  are  told  by  early  settlers  that  every  lot  sold  in  the  original 
town  was  with  the  stipulation  that  such  was  the  case.  When  the 
question  of  removal  of  the  county  seat  was  agitated  a  few  years 
ago,  it  was  then  argued  by  some  that  it  could  not  be  done,  as  the 
conditions  on  which  the  lots  were  sold  were  such  that  damages 
could  be  secured  from  the  county  by  the  holders  of  lots  for  a  vio- 
lation of  contract.  How  true  this  may  be  can  be  determined  by 
reading  the  act. 

The  first  sale  of  lots  in  the  town  was  in  May,  1831.  Eleven 
sales  were  made  before  the  entire  quantity  was  disposed  of,  by 
which  was  realized  $4,903.55.  The  cost  of  the  same  was  $186.88, 
therefore  netting  $4,816.67.  The  assessed  value  of  this  same 
property  is  now  over  $600,000. 

In  1831  a  considerable  increase  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
was  made.  In  the  spring  of  this  year  James  M.  Campbell  erected 
the  first  store  building  in  the  county,  about  sixty  feet  south  of  the 
residence  of  John  Baker.  The  building  was  of  hewn  logs,  cov- 
ered with  boards,  with  a  puncheon  floor.  It  was  in  size  18x18. 
The  stock  contained  in  that  store  was  a  wonder  to  behold !  A 
conglomeration  of  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  hats  and  caps, 
hardware,  iron,  nails,  queensware,  groceries,  and  the  inevitable 
barrel  of  whisky,  occupying  a  prominent  place,  and  quite  handy 
to  the  thirsty  customers  of  the  store.  Moses  Hinton  and  G.  E. 
Robinson  shortly  after  erected  a  building  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  square,  to  be  used  for  general  trade.  This  was  a  portion  of 
the  building  long  known  as  the  "checkered  front,"  and  which  now 
stands  on  the  corner  of  Randolph  and  Carroll  streets.  James 


608  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Clark,  who  had  up  to  this  time  been  living  a  little  southwest  of 
Macomb,  erected  a  log  house  on  the  corner  of  West  Jackson  street 
and  the  square,  to  be  used  as  a  tavern.  Originally  it  had  but  two 
rooms  in  it,  but  others  were  added  from  time  to  time.  The 
St.  Elmo  now  occupies  the  site  of  this  old  tavern.  Al- 
though the  "accommodations  for  man  and  beast,"  so  far  as 
lodging  was  concerned,  was  limited,  the  culinary  department  was 
excellantly  managed.  Wild  game  was  abundant  in  those  days, 
and  the  "bill  of  fare"  always  contained  venison,  turkey,  quail, 
prairie  chicken,  rabbit,  squirrel,  etc.,  and  the  bread  baked  in 
those  old  covered  skillets  cannot  be  beat  for  sweetness.  A  "tav- 
ern," or  "hotel,"  has  always  stood  upon  that  site,  and  thousands 
of  weary  travelers  have  found  a  comfortable  resting  place  there- 
in, and  a  hearty  welcome. 

At  a  special  term  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  held 
March,  1836,  a  plat  of  the  town  was  adopted,  by  which  the  lots 
were  to  be  60x120  feet.  At  a  special  term  held  in  April  following, 
the  order  was  revoked,  on  petition  of  citizens,  and  another  plat 
was  adopted,  which  is  now  on  record  on  page  six,  Record  of  Deeds, 
in  the  office  of  the  Circuit  Clerk,  and  marked  plat  number  one. 
By  this  one,  the  lots  were  made  60x174,  and  twelve  lots  to  the 
block.  This  last  plat  was  made  by  J.  M.  Campbell,  after  the  pre- 
cise plan  of  the  town  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  Mr.  Campbell's  native 
place — the  only  town  with  which  he  was  acquainted,  and  which 
he  supposed  a  perfect  model.  Had  he  been  aware  that  it  could 
have  been  done,  we  have  no  doubt  the  location  of  the  streets  run- 
ning east  and  west  would  have  deen  different,  and  streets  would 
have  been  run  each  side  of  the  square  on  the  north  and  south,  as 
on  the  east  and  west  sides.  James  Vance,  one  of  the  County 
Commissioners,  was  opposed  to  any  change  in  the  plat,  and  en- 
tered his  protest  on  the  records,  but  without  avail.  Lots  60x120 
feet  were  large  enough  in  his  estimation. 

John  J.  Keaton  was  appointed  to  make  a  survey  of  the  town, 
according  to  the  plat  adopted,  for  which  he  was  to  receive  thirty- 
iive  dollars.  David  Clarke  and  John  Baker  were  employed  by  the 
County  Commissioners  to  carry  the  chain,  for  which  they  were 
allowed  fifty  cents  per  day. 

Keaton's  survey  proved  unsatisfactory  ;  and  in  1834,  J.  W. 
Brattle,  for  many  years  County  Surveyor,  was  employed  to  make 
a  new  one,  and  also  to  make  out  and  file  a  new  plat,  according  to 
the  survey  which  he  should  make.  Mr.  Brattle  performed  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  6C9 

work  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Commissioners,  who  received  and 
adopted  his  report,  a  copy  of  which  is  recorded  on  page  428 
Record  of  Deeds,  as  plat  Xo.  2.  Mr.  Brattle  found  many  of  the 
corners  wrong,  and  they  so  remain  till  this  day,  the  County  Com- 
missioners at  that  time  being  afraid  to  alter,  as  it  would  invalidate 
ths  sales  of  lots  already  made. 

In  the  early  days,  court  week  was  the  time  chosen  by  the  yeo- 
manry of  the  county  to  come  to  town  and  have  a  little  fun.  By 
way  of  preparation,  the  .grocery  keeper  laid  in  an  extra  supply  of 
the  "  ardent"  for  the  occasion,  as  he  expected  a  run  of  custom, 
the  profits  of  which  would  last  him  for  some  time,  the  whisky 
then,  as  now,  having  the  effect  of  making  some  quiet,  others 
jovial,  and  some  u  roaring  mad."  Fights  were  of  frequent  occur- 
rence, but  generally  of  a  friendly  character — that  is,  after  the 
tight  was  over,  and  one  of  the  parties  vanquished,  no  further  ill- 
feeling  was  allowed,  and  the  defeated  party  treated  the  crowd. 

The  advent  of  a  circus  always  brought  a  crowd.  People  came 
from  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  county,  and  while  broad  smiles 
played  upon  their  countenances  at  the  prospect  of  listening  to  the 
funny  sayings  of  the  clown,  they  spent  their  hard-earned  money. 
Who  can  say  they  did  a  wrong?  Without  newspapers,  without 
telegraphs,  without  railroads,  with  a  thinly  settled  country,  with 
none  of  the  means  of  enjoyment  afforded  at  the  present  day,  their 
life  was  indeed  hard,  and  the  necessity  of  a  little  relaxation  and 
amusement,  even  if  only  that  afforded  by  the  silly  jokes  of  the 
professional  harlequin,  was  an  absolute  necessity. 

Until  the  year  1841,  the  town  of  Macomb  was  governed  by  the 
Board  of  County  Commissioners.  In  this  year  an  act  of  incor- 
poration was  passed  by  the  Legislature  granting  legislative  pow- 
ers to  a  board  of  five  trustees.  The  limits  of  the  town  were  made 
one  square  mile,  with  the  public  square  of  Macomb  as  its  center. 

The  first  school  houses  in  the  town  were  erected  in  the  year 
1846,  James  M.  Campbell  securing  subscription  from  the  citizens 
for  the  erection  of  one  west  of  the  square,  and  William  S.  Hail 
one  east  of  the  square.  The  houses  were  eighteen  by  twenty- 
eight  feet,  and  built  of  brick.  The  one  in  the  west  was  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  the  otherwhere  the  Third 
Ward  school  house  now  stands.  Schools  had  been  held  previous 
to  this  for  many  years,  but  these  were  the  first  buildings  erected 
exclusively  for  school  purposes.  Mr.  Campbell  built  the  third 


610  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

house  in  the  following  year  on  West  Jackson  street,  near  where 
it  is  crossed  by  the  railroad. 

W.  &  H.  Erv'm  built  the  first  brick  store,  Lawson,  Parrott  & 
Co.,  built  the  first  three-story  brick,  on  the  site  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  building.  Campbell  &  Glarrett  the  third,  the  one  now 
occupied  by  Loven  Garrett  as  a  grocery  store. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  brethren  erected  the  first  church 
building,  in  1836. 

In  1857  cholera  raged  for  a  time  in  the  town,  striking  terror  to 
the  heart  of  many.  Men,  strong  and  hearty  in  the  morning,  laid 
in  the  embrace  of  death  before  night.  Had  it  not  been  for  a  few 
brave,  strong  hearts  the  death  rate  would  have  been  far  greater 
than  it  was.  These  men,  at  the  risk  of  their  own  lives,  went  to 
the  house  where  death  had  entered  and  quietly  removed  the  corpse 
and  buried  it  without  giving  notice  of  the  sad  event  to  the  terri- 
fied citizens.  In  this  way  the  fears  of  the  people  were  kept 
within  bounds.  This,  we  believe,  was  the  only  real  epidemic  that 
has  ever  visited  this  town. 

Macomb  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1856,  by  the  adoption  ot 
a  charter  similar  to  that  of  the  city  of  Quincy.  The  first  election 
was  held  on  the  eighth  day  of  November  in  that  year,  and  re- 
sulted in  the  election  of  John  O.  C.  Wilson,  as  mayor,  and  James 
M.  Campbell,  alderman  first  ward,  Joseph  McCroskey  in  the  sec- 
ond, William  H.  Randolph  in  the  third,  and  Samuel  Gr.  Cannon 
in  the  fourth.  These  gentlemen  were  elected  tor  six  months,  or 
until  the  annual  election,  the  first  Monday  in  May.  It  has  now 
been  twenty  years  since  its  organization,  and  in  that  time  no  city 
of  its  size  has  made  more  permanent  improvement,  aud  none  en- 
joys a  better  reputation.  Its  credit  has  always  been  first  class, 
and  its  bonds  would  doubtless  command  a  premium  in  the  mar- 
kets of  the  east.  We  learn  from  the  Mayor  that  he  is  constantly 
in  receipt  of  letters  of  inquiry  fr6m  the  capitalists  of  the  country 
in  reference  to  its  bonds,  but  he  has  only  one  answer  to  make  and 
that  is  it  has  none  in  the  market,  that  the  city  is  governed  on  the 
principle  "pay  as  you  go."  No  bonds  have  ever  been  issued  by 
the  city,  save  in  the  instance  of  the  erection  of  the  high  school 
building  in  the  second  ward,  and  of  these  only  about  $4,500  are 
now  outstanding,  and  these  would  be  redeemed  if  presented  for 
payment.  Not  being  due  the  parties  prefer  the  interest  which 
they  draw  to  the  face  of  the  bonds.  This  shows  conclusively 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  611 

that  the  financiering  of  the  city  fathers  has  been  excellent.  A 
glance  at  the  list  of  officers  given  in  this  article  will  show  a  good 
reason  for  this  state  of  affairs. 

Notwithstanding  the  city  has  never  been  prodigal  in  its  ex- 
penditures, it  has  yet  never  been  niggardly.  Improvements  are 
constantly  being  made.  During  the  past  year  (in  1875)  gas  has 
been  introduced  and  lamp  posts  have  been  erected  at  all  the  prin- 
cipal corners  and  crossings  adjacent  to  the  business  part  of  the 
city.  A  regular  police  force  was  organized  in  1874,  since  which 
time  there  have  been  but  very  few  instances  of  house-breaking 
in  the  city  and  two  hundred  dollars  will  probably  cover  every  loss 
from  this  cause.  More  than  one  incipient  fire  has  been  stopped, 
and  in  the  whole  time  but  one  fire  obtained  such  headway  be- 
fore discovery  as  to  be  impossible  to  extinguish  it.  The  loss  in 
this  fire  did  not  exceed  $200,  it  being  the  burning  of  a  small  barn. 

One  of  the  duties  of  the  police  has  been  the  arrest  of  all  sus- 
picious characters.  None  are  allowed  to  remain  in  the  city  more 
than  one  night.  Should  a  tramp  make  his  appearance  in  the  city 
he  is  at  once  escorted  to  the  calaboose  if  night  is  approaching,  or 
is  immediately  warned  away  if  in  the  early*  part  of  the  day. 
During  the  year  over  three  hundred  were  provided  with  lodging 
and  hurried  off  bright  and  early  the  next  morning.  In  one  night 
during  the  past  winter  twenty-one  of  this  genus  were  entertained 
with  food  and  lodging.  The  care  given  this  class  will  account  in 
a  great  measure  for  the  safety  of  our  citizens  from  the  visits  of 
burglars. 

One  important  thing  the  city  yet  lacks,  and  that  is  a  well  or- 
ganized fire  department.  It  has  so  far  in  its  existence  been  very 
fortunate  in  escaping  the  ravages  of  the  fire  fiend,  but  there  is 
always  danger,  and  that  danger  should  be  provided  against. 
Business  men  more  than  pay  each  year  in  additional  insurance 
the  cost  of  maintaining  an  excellent  and  well-officered  company. 

The  sanitary  condition  of  the  city  has  always  been  excellent — 
no  epidemic,  save  the  one  mentioned,  ever  visiting  it.  The 
Board  of  Health  has  usually  consisted  of  three  physicians,  repre- 
senting various  schools  of  medicine,  with  the  mayor  as  an  ex- 
officio  member. 

The  city  works  over  thirty  miles  of  street,  and  nearly  the  same 
in  sidewalks,  and  has  a  large  number  of  bridges  and  culverts  to 
build  and  keep  in  constant  repair. 


612 

The  average  expenses  for  all  purposes  are  about  $17,000,  $9,000 
of  which  are  for  the  schools,  and  $8,000  for  all  other  expenses. 
During  the  past  year,  $21,000  were  collected,  $4,000  of  which 
were  to  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  bonds  then  due.  As  there 
is  an  assessment  amounting  to  $1,500,000,  this  will  make  a  little 
less  than  one  and  one-half  per  cent.,  which  is  the  highest  rate 
ever  paid  in  the  city. 

In  relation  to  the  standing  of  the  city,  we  may  say  it  never  has 
to  go  abroad  to  borrow  money.  Capitalists  at  home  are  ever 
ready  and  willing  to  advance  all  that  is  needed.  ISo  bond  has 
ever  yet  been  presented  that  was  not  promptly  paid. 

Although  but  one  railroad  passes  through  its  limits,  the  city 
has  ever  been  willing  to  aid  every  practicable  railroad  project. 
In  1857,  at  the  annual  election,  $25,000  was  voted  to  the  Rock 
Island  and  Alton  Railroad;  but  as  the  road  was  never  built  upon 
the  line  projected  (making  Macomb  a  point),  the  money  was  never 
called  for.  A  road  giving  an  eastern  outlet,  or  competing  line 
east,  would  doubtless  secure  considerable  aid  from  the  city. 

Some  of  the  peculiar  advantages  presented  by  the  city  of  Ma- 
comb  may  be  summed  up  as  follows : 

Public  Jluildings. — No  city  of  its  size  in  the  west  can  present 
finer  public  buildings.  Among  others  we  may  mention  the  court 
house,  which  was  completed  in  the  year  1870,  and  which  stands 
in  the  centre  of  the  public  square,  and  can  be  seen  from  every 
high  eminence  in  the  county.  The  building  is  of  red  brick  with 
limestone  trimmings,  and  is  fire-proof  throughout.  From  its 
dome  a  view  of  the  surrounding  country  is  had  as  far  as  the  eye 
can  reach.  Next,  we  mention  the  business  houses.  These  are 
superior  to  those  of  any  city  ot  its  size  in  the  State.  Brick  blocks 
almost  entirely  surround  the  square,  many  of  them  possessing  a 
very  handsome  exterior  and  interior  appearance,  and  all  of  good 
size  and  adapted  to  the  trade  of  the  place.  Among  the  number  is 
a  handsome  opera  house  capable  of  holding  about  twelve  hundred 
persons.  The  school  houses  are  the  pride  of  the  city,  there  being 
two  large  and  handsome  structures,  with  accommodations  for 
about  fourteen  hundred  pupils.  One  of  these  is  situated  in  the 
Second  Ward,  and  the  other  in  the  Fourth,  or  in  the  eastern  and 
western  parts  ot  the  city,  and  both  known  as  high  school  build- 
ings. The  eastern  one  cost  complete,  including  furniture,  some 
$30,000,  while  the  western  one,  built  at  a  later  day,  when  material 
and  labor  was  cheaper,  about  $20,000.  The  first  was  erected  in 


FOURTH  WARD  SCHOOL  BUILDING,  MACOMB. 


613 

1865,  the  city  issuing  its  bonds  for  a  term  of  years  for  $20,000  of 
the  amount.  Of  this  only  about  $4,000  remains  outstanding. 
The  second  building  was  erected  in  1874,  and  every  dollar  of  the 
entire  amount  paid,  the  city  creating  a  sinking  fund  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  having  in  the  treasury  every  dollar  before  the  comple- 
tion of  the  work.  Two  large  hotels  grace  the  square,  one  on  the 
east  and  the  other  on  the  west.  The  Baptists,  Congregationalists, 
Presbyterians,  Universalists  and  Methodists  have  each  good  church 
buildings,  the  others  being  of  but  little  value. 

Mercantile  Trade. — The  mercantile  trade  of  Macomb  is  greater 
than  any  city  or  town  of  like  size  and  character  in  the  State.  In 
dry  goods,  as  large  and  varied  stocks  are  kept  by  the  dealers 
as  those  in  cities  five  times  its  proportions.  The  reputation  en- 
joyed by  the  dealers  for  selling  their  goods  at  bottom  figures,  is 
such  that  their  trade  extends  for  miles  around,  even  taking  in  por- 
tions of  the  adjoining  counties.  In  groceries  the  same  can  also  be 
said.  "We  would  here  call  attention  to  the  business  notices  of 
some  of  the  leading  firms  elsewhere  found  in  this  work.  Statis- 
tics of  the  trade  may  also  be  seen. 

Stock  Trade. — There  have  been  shipped  in  the  last  four  years  an 
average  per  year  of  237  cars  of  hogs  and  125  cars  of  cattle  from 
this  place,  which  we  regard  as  a  very  good  showing,  considering 
the  many  shipping  points  around  it. 

Grain  Trade. — There  are  about  300  cars  of  grain  shipped  per 
year,  or  an  average  of  one  car  per  working  day. 

Manufactories. — A  goodly  number  of  manufacturing  establish- 
ments are  in  the  place,  affording  employment  to  a  large  number 
of  hands,  and  doing  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  place. 
These  manufactories  are  noticed  under  appropriate  heads  else- 
where. 

Public  Schools. — This  is  another  matter  in  which  the  citizens  of 
the  place  take  an  especial  pride.  In  1866,  on  the  completion  of 
the  high  school  building  in  the  second  ward,  Prof.  H.  H.  Smith 
was  employed  by  the  Board  of  School  Directors,  as  Principal,  at 
ia  salary  ot  $1,500,  per  year,  to  take  charge  of  our  schools.  This 
was  a  new  departure,  and  bitterly  opposed  by  some  of  our  citizens, 
'who  thought  it  an  outrageous  sum  to  pay  a  man  for  only  six  hours 
work  per  day,  as  they  said.  When  Mr  Smith  began  his  work  he 
introduced  the  graded  system,  and  also  effected  an  almost  entire 
H— 39 


614 

change  in  the  text  books  then  in  use.  This  compelled,  the  purchase 
by  many  of  a  number  of  new  books,  and  the  setting  back  of 
many  scholars  in  some  of  their  studies,  in  order  that  they  might 
conform  to  the  grade.  This  created  additional  excitement, 
each  parent  denying  the  right  of  the  teacher  to  set  his  child 
back,  thus  compelling  a  review  of  a  study  already  gone  over. 
Many  complaints  were  made  to  the  professor,  and  for  days  he  was 
interviewed  hourly  by  indignant  parents.  The  expense  of  the 
purchase  of  new  books  was  said  to  be  enormous,  when  it  was  an 
undeniable  fact  it  cost  the  majority  of  parents  less  money  to  buy 
the  entire  new  outfit  than  it  would  have  done  had  the  old  series  of 
text  books  been  retained — the  new  having  been  introduced  at 
half  price.  But  Mr.  S.  continued  on  the  even  tenor  of  his  way, 
"being  reviled,  he  reviled  not  again,"  knowing  that  in  due  time 
the  system  would  be  approved  by  all.  The  wisdom  of  his  course 
has  now  been  fully  shown.  For  ten  years  the  system  has  been 
tried  and  with  the  best  results,  and  there  is  not  a  parent  in  the 
•city  that  has  given  the  subject  any  thought  but  will  acknowledge 
it  is  the  better  way.  There  has  been  an  average  of  twelve  or 
fourteen  graduates  each  year  since  the  third,  and  the  greater  part 
of  the  teachers  now  employed  in  the  schools  of  the  city,  or  that 
have  been  employed  for  seven  years,  have  been  graduates.  The 
•course  of  study  has  been  as  thorough  as  in  any  of  the  academies  of 
the  country.  Prof.  II.  II.  Smith  continued  as  Superintendent  for 
three  years,  succeeding  in  the  perfect  organization  of  every  de- 
partment of  the  public  schools.  He  was  succeeded  by  Professor 
M.  Andrews,  who  occupied  the  position  for  five  years,  resigning 
the  same  that  he  might  accept  a  like  situation  at  Galesburg,  in 
this  State,  at  a  higher  salary.  Mr.  Andrews,  without  doubt,  is 
one  of  the  most  efficient  Superintendents  in  the  State,  and  success 
cannot  but  crown  his  efforts  wherever  he  goes.  His  absence  has 
been  deeply  felt  in  this  city.  Professor  Shedd  next  succeeded, 
serving  two  years.  He  was  followed  by  Professor  C.  C.  Bobbins. 
Professor  Robbins  has  long  been  a  resident  of  this  city,  but  for 
several  years  past  has  occupied  a  like  position  in  the  public 
schools  of  Rushville,  Knoxville,  and  other  places,  positions  which 
he  has  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  patrons. 

Churches. — There  are  ten  Churches  in  the  city,  each  endeavor- 
ing to  point  out  the  way  of  salvation  ;  the  religious  influence  of 
the  community  is,  therefore,  of  the  best.  The  denominations 
represented  are  as  follows :  Methodist  Episcopal,  Baptist,  Cath- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  615 

olic,  Christian,  Congregationalist,  Uriiversalist,  Presbyterian  and 
Lutheran.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  had  formerly  a  fair 
congregation  of  believers,  but  for  some  years  have  held  no  service. 
The  combined  value  of  the  Church  property  is  about  $50,000. 
The  membership  is  about  1,300.  Connected  with  their  Sunday 
Schools  are  about  1,000  scholars.  The  schools  of  the  city  have 
quarterly  conventions  at  the  close  of  every  quarter  of  the  Inter- 
national Sunday  School  Lessons,  the  meetings  of  which  are  quite 
interesting  and  profitable.  Other  statistics,  under  this  head,  may 
be  seen  in  another  chapter. 

Description  of  High  School  Building  in  Second  Ward. — This 
building  was  erected  in  1865,  at  a  cost  of  $29,000.  It  is  situated 
on  the  north  side  of  Calhoun,  between  Dudley  and  Madison 
streets.  The  architectural  design  is  plain  throughout.  The  plans 
were  drawn  by  G-.  P.  Randall,  of  Chicago,  and  the  work  done  by 
the  city,  superintended  by  W.  0.  Thomas.  The  building  is  53x94 
feet,  two  stories,  with  basement,  and  contains  six  rooms  26x33 
feet,  a  chapel  48x50  feet,  library  room,  closets,  and  halls.  It  is 
heated  "by  steam,  the  engine  for  that  purpose  being  in  the  base- 
ment. There  are  two  entrances  to  the  building,  one  each  in  the 
center  ot  the  south  and  north  sides.  These  entrances  open  into 
a  hall,  from  which  a  stairway  leads  to  the  second  story.  The 
recitation  rooms  are  each  thirteen  feet  in  height,  while  the  chapel 
is  sixteen  feet,  and  all  are  well  ventilated.  The  basement  of  the 
building  is  constructed  of  limestone  and  the  main  walls  of  red 
brick.  A  belfry  arises  from  over  the  main  entrance,  in  which  is 
placed  a  bell  weighing  twelve  hundred  pounds.  Although  the 
building  is  not  showy,  it  presents  a  neat,  substantial  appearance, 
and  is  an  honor  to  the  city.  The  accompanying  illustration  will 
give  one  a  very  good  idea  of  its  appearance. 

Description  of  School  Building  in  Fourth  Ward. — This  building 
stands  upon  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Johnson  streets,  and 
was  erected  in  1874  by  "W.  O.  Thomas,  of  Macomb,  who  was 
likewise  the  architect.  Its  entire  cost,  including  furniture,  &c., 
was  about  $20,000.  It  is  quite  showy,  and  yet  neat  and  well  pro- 
portioned. The  basement  is  of  limestone,  while  the  main  walls 
are  of  red  brick.  It  is  in  height  two  stories,  with  basement.  A 
finely  proportioned  belfry  surmounts  the  main  front,  in  which  is 
placed  a  bell  weighing  900  pounds.  There  are  three  entrances- 
one  each  on  the  east,  north  and  south  sides.  The  recitation 
rooms,  of  which  there  are  six,  are  in  size  25x33  feet;  those  on  the 


616  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

first  floor  being  in  height  14  feet,  while  those  on  the  second  floor 
are  16  feet,  each  being  provided  with  the  best  modern  school  fur- 
niture, and  every  appliance  that  would  aid  one  in  acquiring 
knowledge.  The  ventilation  is  well  provided  for,  which  will  cer- 
tainly be  acknowledged  of  great  importance.  The  basement  is 
used  for  storage,  fuel  and  heating  purposes,  an  engine  being 
placed  therein  which  heats  the  entire  building.  Everything  in 
connection  with  the  building  is  in  good  taste,  and  reflects  great 
credit  upon  the  city  and  its  architect,  "W.  O.  Thomas. 

The  record  book,  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  town  of  Macomb,  is  either  mislaid  or  lost,  so  we 
have  been  unable  to  obtain  the  names  of  all  the  officers  of  the 
town.  In  looking  over  the  old  papers  we  discovered  the  poll 
books  of  several  annual  elections,  and  give  the  names  of  such  of 
those  we  could  find  who  were  elected  Trustees,  and  the  year  each 
served  : 

1849— Wm.  H.  Randolph,  A.  S.Bonham,  C.  A.  Lawson,  T.  J.  Beard,  John  P.  Head. 

1850— Wm.  H.  Franklin,  Richard  W.  Stepheuson,  John  P.  Head,  Wm.  L.  Broaddus,  Joseph  E.  Wyne, 

Chas.  Chandler,  Wm.  T.  Head. 

J852— B.  R.  Hampton,  C.  A.  Lawson,  J.  M.  Major,  J.  P.  Updegraff,  C.  W.  Dallam. 
1863— Thompson  Chandler,  J.  E.  Wyne,  J.  L.  N.  Hall,  W.  S.  Hendricks,  J.  M.  Martin. 
1854- J.  L.  N.  Hall,  J.  M.  Martin,  J.  E.  Wyne,  Thomas  J.  Beard,  C.  A.  Lawson. 
1856— Abraham  Rowe,  J.  E.  Wyne,  T.  J.  Beard,  J.  L.  N.  Hall,  Garrett  Bonham. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  the  city  of  Ma- 
comb  in  the  offices  named  and  for  the  years  given.  We  begin 
the  list  with  the  city's  organization,  and  include  each  year  to  1877 : 

1856— Mayor,  John  O.  C.  Wilson.  Aldermen— 1.  M.  Campbell,  First  ward  ;  Joseph  McCroskey,  Sec- 
ond ward;  W.  H.  Randolph,  Third  ward ;  Samuel  G.  Cannon,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— H.  E. 
Worsham.  Attorney— H.  E.  Worsham.  Marshal— G.  L.  Farwell.  Treasurer— F.  D.  Lipe. 

1857—  Mayor— J.  P.  Updegraff.  Aldermen— James  Ciark,  First  ward  ;  Wm.  L.  Broaddus,  O.  F.  Piper, 
Second  ward  ;  Wm.  H.  Franklin,  Third  Ward;  T.  J.  Beard,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— Carter  Van 
Vleck.  Attorney— C.  Van  Vleck.  Assessor  and  Collector— II.  E.  Worsham.  Marshal— G.  L. 
Farwell.  Treasurer- -G.  W.  Smith. 

1858— Mayor— J.  P.  Updegraff.  Aldermen— Chas.  Chandler,  First  ward  ;  O.  F.  Piper,  P.  Hamilton, 
Second  ward ;  W.  E.  Withrow,  Third  ward  ;  W.  P.  Barrett,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk  and  Attorney 
— L.  H.  Waters.  Assessor  and  Uollector—J.  H.  Cummiugs.  Marshal — W.  L.  Broaddus.  Treas- 
urer—G.  W.  Smith. 

1859 — Mayor — James  D.  Walker.  Aldermen — Joseph  Burton,  First  ward  ;  Joseph  E.  Wyne,  Second 
ward;  George  M.  Wells,  J.  L.  N.  Hall,  Third  ward;  Samuel  G.  Cannon,  Fourth  ward. 
Clerk  and  Attorney — George  Wells.  Assessor  and  Collector — J.  H.  Cummings.  Marshal — G.  W. 
Smith.  Treasurer — J.  B.  Cummings. 

I860— Mayor— Charles  Chandler.  Aklermen— W.  H.  Neece,  First  ward ;  R.  H.  Broaddus,  Second 
ward;  J.  L.  N.  Hall,  Third  ward  ;  H.  F.  Chase,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk  and  Attorney— George 
Wells.  Assessor  and  Collector— C.  M.  Ray.  Marshal— G.  W.  Smith.  Treasurer— W.  W.  Provine. 

1861 — Mayor — J.  B.  Kyle.  Aldermen — John  Knappenberger,  First  ward  ;  Iverson  L.  Tywman,  Sec- 
ond ward ;  T.  M.  Jordan,  Third  ward ;  Loven  Garrett,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk  and  Attorney — 
George  Wells.  Assessor  and  Collector— C.  M.  Ray.  Marshal— G.  L.  Farwell.  Treasurer— Yf .  W. 
Provine. 

1862—  Mayor— B.  F.  Martin.  Aldermen— J.  H.  Baker,  First  ward  ;  Elisha  Morse,  Jr.,  Second  ward; 
Lorenzo  Clisby,  'I  bird  ward ;  Wash  Goodwin.  Fourth  ward.  Clerk  and  Attorney—  George 
Wells.  Assessor  and  Collector— C.  M.  Ray.  Marshal— John  Q.  Lane.  Treasurer— W.  W.  Pro 
vino. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  617 

1863— Mayor— Edward  A.  Floyd.  Aldermen—  Alexander  McLean,  First  ward;  R.  L.  Cochran, 
O.  F.  Piper,  Second  ward ;  W.  E.  Withrow,  Third  ward ;  S.  F.  Lancy,  Fourth  ward. 
Clerk  and  Attorney— Geo.  Wells.  Assessor  and  Collector— John  L.  Anderson.  Marshal— J.  P. 
Updegraff.  Treasurer— W.  W.  Provine. 

1864— Mayor— T.  M.  Jordan.  Aldermen— Joseph  Durr,  First  ward  ;  James  Anderson,  Second  ward; 
Lorenzo  Clisby,  Third  ward;  John  Perirose,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— Vi.  E.  Withrow.  Attorney— 
C.  F.  Wheat.  Assessor  and  Collector— Ch&uncey  Case.  Marshal— Chauncey  Case.  Treagurer— 
M.  T.  Winslow. 

1865—  Mayor— T.  M.  Jordan.  Aldermen— J.  W.  Blount,  First  ward  ;  R.  L.  Cochran,  Second  ward ; 
J.  P.  Updegraff,  Third  ward ;  James  Brown,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— W.  E.  Withrow.  Attor- 
ney—C.  F.  Wheat.  Assessor  and  Collector— John  E.  Lane.  Marshal—  John  E.  Lane.  Treasu- 
rer—M.  T.  Winslow. 

1866— Mayor— J.  M.  Martin  ;  Aldermen- S.  G.  Wadsworth,  First  ward  ;  W.  F.  Bayne,  Second  ward; 
W.  S.  Hail,  Third  ward ;  R.  J.  Adcock  and  E.  B.  Hamil,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— W.  E.  With- 
row. Attorney — C.  F.  Wheat.  Assessor  and  Collector — John  E.  Lane.  Marshal — John  E. 
Lane.  Treasurer—  M.  T.  Winslow. 

1867— Mayor— T.  M.  Jordan.  Aldermen— J.  W.  Blount  and  G.  H.  Bane.  First  ward  ;  R.  L.  Cochran, 
Second  ward  ;  Win.  Venable,  Third  ward ;  E.  B.  Hainil  and  John  Shutes,  Fourth  ward. 
Clerk— W.  E.  Withrow.  Attorney— Asa  Matteson,  Assessor  and  Collector— T.  B.  Maury. 
Marshal—  Thomas  Galfrey.  Treasurer—  M.  T.  Winslow. 

1868— Mayor— J.  P.  Updegraff.  A  Idermen—Vf.  H.  Hainline,  First  ward  ;  O.  F.  Piper,  Second  ward  ; 
Edward  Wells,  Third  ward  ;  J.  W.  Mclntosh,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— W.  E.  Withrow.  Attor- 
ney—C.  F.  Wheat.  Assessor  and  Collector— H.  W.  Gash.  MarsJial— G.  L.  Farwell.  Treasurer— 
J.  H.  Cummings. 

1869— Mayor— Geo.  K.  Hall.  Aldermen— J.  T.  Adcock.  First  ward;  C.  N.  Harding,  Second  ward; 
Wm.  Venable,  Third  ward ;  T.  L.  Kendrick,  Fourth  Ward.  Clerk— W.  E.  Withrow.  Attor- 
ney—Asa. Mattescn.  Assessor  and  Collector— J.  W.  Blouut.  Marshal— James  A.  Chapman. 
Treasurer— M.  T.  Winslow. 

1870—  Mayor— J.  E.  Wyrie.  Aldermen— T.  Chandler,  First  ward ;  J.  H.  Cummings,  Second  ward; 
A.  B.  Chapman,  Third  ward  ;  J.  Durr,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— S.  F.  Lancy.  Attorney— L.  A. 
Simmons.  Assessor — J.  W.  Westfall.  Collector — C.  C.  Chapman.  Marshal — John  Scott.  Trea- 
surer— C.  V.  Chandler. 

1871— Mayor— J.  M.  Martin.  Aldermen— B.  F.  Martin,  First  ward;  John  McMillan,  Second  ward; 
Thomas  Gilmore,  Third  ward ;  J.  W.  Mclntosh,  and  S.  F.  Lancy,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— H. 
R.  Bartelson.  Attorney,  Ira  G.  Mosher.  Assessor,  J.  S.  Gash.  Collector— S.  G.  Wadsworth. 
Marshal— John  Hillyer.  Treasurer— C.  V.  Chandler. 

1S72— Mayor—  Charlps  N.  Harding.  Aldermen— T.  Chandler,  First  ward  ;  J.  H.  Cummings,  Second 
ward ;  William  Venable,  Third  ward;  James  Garnage,  Fourth  Ward.  Clerk— William  E, 
"Withrow.  Attorney— William  J.  Franklin.  Assessor— J.  S.  Gash.  Collector— Willis  I .  Twy- 
man.  Marshal— John  Hillyer.  Treasurer— C.  V.  Chandler. 

1875—  Mayor—  Alexander  McLean.  Aldermen— S.  Ross,  First  ward ;  R.  L.  Cochran,  Second  ward; 
F.  R.  Kyle,  Third  Ward ;  W.  J.  McClellan,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— E.  P.  Pillsbury.  Attorney— 
E.  P.  Pillsbary.  Assessor— Hugh  Ervin.  Collector— T.  J.  Martin.  Marshal— G.  Cheatham, 
William  A.  Greer.  Treasurer— C.  V.  Chandler. 

1874— Mayor— Alexander  McLean.  Aldermen— John  W.  Cook,  First  ward  ;  J.  H.  Cummings,  Fecond 
ward  ;  William  Venable.  Third  ward  ;  James  Carnage,  Fourth  ward  Clerk— Hugh  Ervin. 
Attorney—  E.  P.  Pillsbury.  Assessor— Hugh  Ervin.  Collector— Henderson  Ritchie.  Marshal— 
Karr  McClintock.  Treasurer— C.  V.  Chandler 

1875— Mayor—  Alexander  McLean.  Aldermen—  William  E.  Martin,  First  ward ;  J.  E.  Wyne,  Second 
ward  ;  C.  N.  Harding,  Third  ward ;  D.  M.  Graves,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk— O.  F.  JPiper.  Attor- 
ney—E.  P.  Pillsbury.  Assessor— J.  C.  Reynolds.  Colector— Robert  Brooking.  Marshal— Karr 
McClintock.  Treasurer— C,  V.  Chandler. 

1876— Jfayo.  —  Alexander  McLean.  Aldermen— E.  F.  Bradford,  First  ward  ;  J.  H.  Cnmmings,  Second 
ward ;  D.  Scott,  Third  ward  ;  James  Gamage,  Fourth  ward.  Clerk — O.  F.  Piper.  Attorney — 
J.  F.  Franklin.  Assessor— H.  W.  Gash.  Collector— J.  M.  Martin.  Marshal— Karr  McClintock. 
Treasurer — C.  V.  Chandler. 

1877— Mayor—  Asher  Blount.  Aldermen— William  Martin,  First  ward;  Joseph  E.  Wyne,  Second 
ward;  John  McLean,  Third  ward;  W.  O.  Tkomas,  Fourth  ward.  C/erfc— Lewis  E.  Wyne. 
Attorney— J.  H.  Franklin,  Assessor— Hugh  Erwin,  Collector— Henry  Shetterly.  Marshal— 
Karr  McOlintock.  Treasurer— C.  V.  Chandler. 


618  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

From  the  McDonough  Independent  of  Friday,  February  27th ? 
1852,  we  extract  the  following  : 

A  SIDE  GLANCE  AT  MACOMB. 

As  there  seems  to  be  of  late  a  spirit  of  rivalry  springing  up  in  different  sections  of 
this  State,  and  especially  so  in  regard  to  the  growing  prosperity  of  villages  and  county 
seats,  we  deem  it  not  out  of  place  to  give  a  statement  of  the  different  branches  carried 
on  in  our  town,  which  certainly  cannot  be  excelled  by  any  seats  of  justice,  notwithstand- 
ing other  neigboring  villages  call  it  a  "one  horse  town.""  The  population  at  present  is 
estimated  to  be  about  1,000.  The  citizens  are  mixed — persons  from  almost  every  State 
in  the  Union  ;  we  have  a  few  Irish,  English  and  German  citizens  among  us,  however ; 
the  majority  of  our  citizens  are  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  In  regard  to  the 
liberality  of  our  people,  we  not  only  challenge  the  State,  but  creation  to  excel  them. 

We  have  here  four  Benevolent  and  Charitable  Institutions,  all  in  a  prosperous  condi- 
tion, viz. :  One  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  one  Union,  Daughters  of  Temper- 
ance, two  Divisions  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  one  section  Cadets  of  Temperance. 
In  regard  to  religious  and  intellectual  advantages,  we  are  not  far  behind  others  of  our 
neighbors.  There  are  several  different  denominations  of  Christians  here,  having  three 
churches,  one  college  with  one  hundred  students,  three  day  schools  averaging  one  hundred 
scholars,  one  female  seminary,  having  forty  pupils,  nine  dry  goods  stores — average 
capital  invested,  about  $100,000  yearly — one  drug  store,  one  drug  and  book  store,  one 
hotel,  several  boarding  houses,  two  clothing  establishments,  two  family  groceries,  six 
practicing  physicians,  several  attorneys,  two  general  land  agency  offices,  one  steam  card- 
ing and  fulling  establishment,  one  bakery  and  confectionery  establishment,  one  segar 
and  tobacco  manufactory,  one  steam  flouring  mill,  two  saw  mills — one  steam  and  one 
horse  power — two  extensive  lumber  yards,  lots  on  hand,  one  tannery,  three  harness  mak- 
ing shops,  two  shoe  and  boot  shops,  two  tailor  shops,  two  merchant  tailoring  establish- 
ments, eight  blacksmith  shops,  two  plough-making  shops,  one  carriage  and  wagon  estab- 
lishment, seven  carpenter  shops,  one  furniture  and  cabinet  shop,  one  chair  manufactory, 
one  bedstead  manufactory,  one  wholesale  and  retail  stove  and  tin  store,  one  threshing 
and  saw  mill  manufactory,  one  hat  manufacturing  establishment,  one  cooper  shop,  one 
printing  office,  with  a  large  and  extensive  book  and  job  office  attached.  No  BAEBEB  SHOP 
at  present.  There  are  in  full  growth  and  cultivation,  in  and  near  town,  four  extensive 
nurseries,  containing  choice  collections  of  fruit  trees. 

By  examining  the  above  list  of  establishments  in  this  place  it  will  be  readily  perceived 
that  our  advantages  are  superior  to  many  other  and  older  inland  towns,  and,  should  the 
contemplated  railroad  be  completed — taking  the  location  of  the  county,  the  salubrity  of 
the  soil  and  healthy  location — there  will  be  no  town  in  the  military  tract  able  to  come  in 
competition  with  us.  In  bringing  up  this  statement  we  are  actuated  by  no  will  of 
boasting,  but  merely  to  state  facts  as  they  are,  and,  if  in  our  power,  humble  as  it  may  be, 
of  inducing  mechanics  and  others  to  "  seek  first  their  own  interests"  and  act  accordingly. 
We  have  ample  room  yet  left  in  our  village,  and  we  are  confident  that  property  holders 
here  and  throughout  the  county  will  dispose  of  land  at  a  fair  and  reasonable  rate  to  those 
wishing  to  buy. 

There  is  in  connection  with  our  town  mail  facilities,  many  of  which  are  not  afforded 
to  other  towns  in  Illinois.  We  have  four  weekly  mails — two  semi-weekly  and  two  tri- 
weekly, and  as  honest  an  old  "  Boss  "  to  superintend  the  post  office  department  as  can  be 
"  scared  "  up  in  the  union.  Macomb  is  situated  in  the  centre  of  the  county — the  limits 
extending  twenty-four  miles  across,  and  is  equi-distant  between  the  Illinois  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers,  thus  affording  great  inducements  to  travellers  to  visit  us,  and  of  receiving 
communications  from  distant  friends. 


619 

We  intend  in  future,  if  able  to  procure  the  necessary  statistics,  of  publishing  a  true 
statement  of  the  rise  and  history  of  McDonough  county  from  its  first  survey  and  loca- 
tion, and  also  of  giving  statistics  of  each  town  within  the  county,  population  at  present, 
manufacturing  and  mechanical  advantages,  etc.,  which  each  possess. 

In  1867  the  city  was  made  a  Supervisors'  District,  and  given  two 
members  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors.  Up  to  this  time 
the  city's  vote  was  divided  up  into  the  four  townships  on  which 
it  is  situated — Macomb,  Emmet,  Chalmers  and  Scotland.  By  an 
act  of  the  Legislature  this  was  changed,  with  the  result  as  stated. 
The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  on  the  board  :  D.  G. 
Tunnicliff,  James  B.  Kyle,  B.  R.  Hampton,  C.  !N".  Harding,  James 
M.  Campbell,  William  Ervin,  C.  V.  Chandler,  TV.  H.  Hainliue, 
Thompson  Chandler,  James  Gamage. 

The  two  eastern  wards  of  the  city  elect  a  Supervisor,  and  the 
two  western  wards  an  Assistant  Supervisor.  The  eastern  part  of 
the  city  being  strongly  Republican,  always  elects  one  ot  that  party 
to  represent  them  on  the  Board.  The  western  part,  being  Demo- 
cratic, sends  one  of  that  faith  as  their  representative.  The  fact 
that  several  of  the  foregoing  gentlemen  have  served  two  or  more 
terms  will  account  for  the  small  number  of  names  given. 

In  the  new  City  Directory,  compiled  by  James  TV.  Beasly,  we 
find  recorded  1,224  names  ;  counting  three  and  one-half  to  each 
name,  which  is  a  very  small  estimate,  we  have  4,284  inhabitants 
in  the  city.  There  are  twrenty-four  Smiths ;  seventy-six  whose 
names  begin  with  Me  ;  164  beginning  with  S  ;  149  beginning  with 
TV ;  147  beginning  with  M,  and  112  beginning  with  C. 

Among  the  live  firms  in  the  city  we  would  call  attention  to  the 
following: 

Thomas  Philpot. — This  gentleman  first  established  himself  in 
business  in  this  city  in  1863.  In  company  with  D.  TV.  Hawkins, 
Esq.,  he  opened  a  gallery  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  public 
square,  and  almost  from  the  first  his  success  was  established  ;  and 
from  that  day  forward  there  never  has  been  a  time  when  he  could 
not  find  plenty  to  do  in  his  chosen  profession.  In  1871  he  sold 
the  gallery  to  another  party,  and  removed  to  Galesburg,  but  only 
remained  there  a  few  months.  Disposing  of  his  interests  there, 
he  looked  around  for  another  location;  visited  several  good  towns 
and  good  cities  throughout  the  West,  and,  finding  he  could  do  no 
better,  returned  to  Macomb  and  fitted  up  a  new  gallery  on  the 
north  side  of  the  square,  over  the  clothing  store  of  S.  P.  Dewey, 
and  in  one  of  the  best  locations  in  the  city.  Here  his  old  patrons 


620 

returned  in.  great  numbers,  and  in  a  very  short  time  he  again  en- 
joyed a  run  of  work  as  large  as  ever.  The  secret  of  his  success 
lies  in  the  fact  that  he  is  a  No.  I  artist,  and  has  pride  in  the  work 
which  he  does,  whether  it  be  a  small  gem  or  a  large  photograph 
finished  in  water  color  or  in  oil.  No  better  work  is  done  in  any 
gallery,  east  or  west,  and  satisfaction  is  guaranteed  in  every  in- 
stance. Occupying  a  suite  of  rooms  in  the  most  eligible  part  of 
the  city,  we  find  them  fitted  up  in  a  handsome  manner,  good 
taste  being  displayed  in  all  things  pertaining  to  their  internal 
arrangement.  It  is  really  a  treat  to  take  a  look  through  the  gallery, 
examining  the  various  specimens  of  work  on  exhibition ;  whether 
a  card  photo  or  one  of  life  size,  excellence  is  written  thereon. 
Mr.  Philpot,  as  we  remarked  before,  takes  pride  in  the  character 
of  his  work,  and  desires  to  give  satisfaction  to  ever}  one — and  he 
will  give  it.  Special  attention  is  given  to  copying  and  enlarging 
old  pictures.  Mr.  Philpot  has  made  a  specialty  of  this  class  of 
work  for  some  years,  and  can  take  any  kind  of  picture,  however 
old  or  worn,  and  re-touch,  copy  and  enlarge  to  any  size  from  8x10 
to  22x26  inches.  Those  desiring  this  class  of  work  should  not 
fail  to  call  and  see  specimens  and  learn  prices.  Pictures  finished 
in  India  ink  or  water  colors,  and  at  prices  far  below  those  of 
other  galleries  for  the  same  grade  of  work.  Visitors  to  the  city 
should  make  it  a  point  to  drop  in,  see  specimens,  and  leave  their 
order.  Gallery  on  north  side  of  square,  over  McClellan's  clothing 
store. 

Joseph  T.  Adcock. — Everybody  knows  Joe,  one  of  the  most  pop- 
ular dealers  in  the  city  of  Macomb.  Coming  to  this  city  about 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  as  soon  as  he  recovered  from  wounds  re- 
ceived in  that  "little  onpleasantness,"  he  opened  a  stock  of  gro- 
ceries and  provisions,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  he  has 
engaged  in  the  same  line  of  trade,  and,  we  are  pleased  to  add, 
success  has  crowned  his  every  effort.  He  is  now  on  the  east  side 
square,  corner  East  Jackson  street,  and  has  in  stock  one  of  the 
finest  stocks  in  the  city.  Joe  always  has  his  eyes  and  ears  open 
and  knows  what  is  going  on  in  the  world,  and  everything  in  the 
grocery  and  provision  line  that  the  market  affords  can  always  be 
found  in  his  establishment.  Clover,  timothy  and  other  grass 
seeds  are  a  specialty  with  him.  Remember  Joe  T.  Adcock  when 
in  want  of  any  of  the  above  named  goods,  and  when  having  any- 
thing in  the  provision  line  you  want  to  sell. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  621 

Welch  &  Thornton. — Few  men,  in  the  same  length  of  time, 
have  become  better  known  and  made  more  friends  than  the  above 
named  gentlemen.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm,  Mr.  George 
S.  Welch,  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  county,  but 
who  only  came  to  this  city  in  the  fall  of  1874.  Having  previously 
had  a  taste  of  the  book  business,  he  desired  again  to  embark  in 
that  line  of  trade,  and  at  once  purchased  the  stock  and  good  will 
of  J.  C.  McClellan,  Esq.,  then  in  business  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  square.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  to  push,  and 
soon  had  a  run  of  custom  of  which  he  had  reason  to  be  proud. 
It  was  his  determination  that  his  establishment  should  be  the 
"boss  house."  How  well  he  has  succeeded,  let  his  numerous 
patrons  testify.  In  1876  he  received  as  a  partner  Mr.  Anthony 
Thornton,  who  for  two  years  past  had  filled  the  position  of 
County  Treasurer  in.  a  very  acceptable  manner,  and  a  man  as 
much  respected  as  any  in  the  county.  "With  capital  increased  the 
firm  branched  out  more  extensively,  and  in  the  spring  of  1877 
purchased  the  large  brick  building  which  they  now  occupy,  on 
the  northeast  corner.  Their  stock  is  at  all  times  large  and  com- 
plete and  worthy  the  attentioa  of  all. 

Martin  &  Sons. — The  senior  member  of  this  firm  began  business 
in  Macomb  as  a  cabinet  maker,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
manufactured  all  the  furniture  that  he  sold.  That  his  work  was 
first  class  many  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  county  will  testify,  and 
the  well  preserved  specimens  of  his  work,  in  silent  language  will 
speak  no  less  clearly  and  unmistakably.  He  brought  to  the 
town  the  first  general  stock  of  furniture,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  constantly  engaged  in  the  trade.  He  afterward  received 
as  a  partner,  his  son,  William  E.  Martin,  since  which  time  the  firm 
has  been  known  as  B.  F.  Martin  &  Son.  The  stock  and  trade  of 
the  firm  has  been  constantly  increasing  from  that  date  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  even  while  the  financial  affairs  of  the  county  were  much 
depressed.  The  firm  now  occupies  a  room  in  the  Opera  House 
block,  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  the  main  sales- 
room of  which  is  20x60  feet  with  storage  room  in  the  rear  the 
same  size,  while  on  the  second  floor  they  occupy  two  rooms, 
40x60  feet,  and  every  inch  of  the  room  above  and  below  being 
crowded  with  a  stock  of  goods  equal  to  any  in  the  Military  tract. 

Venable  Bros. — In  1860,  John  Yenable  came  to  Macomb,  and 
on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  square  opened  a  stock  of  woolen 
goods  and  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  shipment  of  wool.  The 


622  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

location  not  beincr  suitable,  he  soon  moved  to  the   north  side  on- 

O 

the  site  of  his  present  handsome  brick.  Adopting  for  his  motto, 
"Good  goods,  quick  sales,  and  small  profits,'"  he  began  a  business 
career  which  has  been  very  honorable  and  we  trust  profitable  to 
himself.  He  has  since  built  a  large  brick  store  room  thirty  by 
sixty  feet,  and  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  trade  to  his  sons, 
William,  James  C.,  and  John  W.,  who  now  compose  the  firm  of 
Venable  Bros.  For  a  number  of  years  the  firm  dealt  exclusively 
in  woolen  goods,  gaining  a  reputation  to  be  envied  for  the  su- 
perior quality  of  manufacture  which  they  offered  for  sale.  The 
senior  Venable  had  many  year's  experience  in  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  goods  and  therefore  was  well  qualified  to  judge  whether  an 
article  offered  him  was  "shoddy"  or  not,and  never  permitted  him- 
self to  purchase  the  former  at  any  price.  The  reputation  gained  by 
the  father  is  well  maintained  by  the  sons,and  the  knowledge  of.  the 
fact  that  an  article  came  from  Venables  is  a  guarantee  of  its  good 
quality.  The  firm  added  to  their  line  of  woolen  goods  a  complete 
stock  of  staple  and  fancy  dry-goods,  and  notions,  and  to-day  car- 
ry a  stock  second  to  none.  The  same  uniform  good  quality  is 
maintained  in  this  department  as  in  the  line  of  woolens.  While 
the  firm  never  suffers  itself  to  be  undersold,  it  has  always 
carried  a  line  of  the  best  goods  in  the  city. 

Kenner  &  Brooking. — This  firm  has  been  in  existence  but  a  few 
months,  and  is  composed  of  William  L.  Kenner  and  A.  V.  Brook- 
ing, the  latter  of  whom  is  as  well  known  as  any  man  in  McDon- 
ough  county,  being  an  old  settler  and  having  done  business  here 
for  many  years.  Mr.  Kenner,  though  not  so  well  known,  has 
many  friends,  and  is  a  pleasant  and  agreeable  man  to  deal  with. 
For  several  years  past  he  has  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  that 
business  been  eminently  successful.  He  now  returns  to  the  city 
and  engages  in  a  trade  in  which  he  has  had  several  years'  exper- 
ience. The  firm  are  successors  to  the  well  known  clothiers,  Major 
&  Trotter,  who  made  an  excellent  reputation  and  had  a  good  run 
of  custom,  transacting  their  business  in  the  only  honorable  way — 
one  price  to  all.  Boy  and  man  were  treated  just  alike,  and  one 
could  buy  just  as  cheap  as  the  other.  The  new  firm  propose  to 
continue  the  same  style,  believing  it  will  be  more  satisfactory  to 
customers,  as  it  is  well  known  that  "one  price"  must  be  the  lowest 
price.  All  are  invited  to  visit  their  store  and  examine  stock  and 
prices.  You  will  find  gentlemanly  waiters  and  goods  always  at 
bottom  prices. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  623 

W.  M.  Lipe. — This  gentleman  is  another  old  settler  of  this 
county,  and  is  as  well  known  and  has  as  many  friends  as  any  in  it. 
We  speak  of  him  as  being  an  old  settler,  which  is  true,  but  it  does 
not  necessarily  follow  that  he  is  an  old  man.  Far  from  it;  he  is 
in  the  prime  of  life,  and  doubtless  will  live  many  years.  Mr.  Lipe 
came  to  this  county  with  his  father  in  1834,  and  lived  upon  a 
farm  for  a  number  of  years,  then  becoming  a  resident  of  this  city, 
and  the  greater  part  of  that  time  being  engaged  in  the  retail 
grocery  trade.  His  first  experience  in  that  business  in  this  city 
was  on  the  old  Campbell  corner,  and  after  trying  his  hand  in 
other  locations  he  has  again  returned  to  the  old  corner,  where  he 
has,  in  a  very  short  time,  built  up  a  trade  second  to  none  in  the 
city.  Should  we  be  asked  the  reason  for  his  success,  we  should 
reply  that  he  keeps  a  good,  clean,  fresh  stock  of  goods,  he  is  never 
undersold,  and  is  pleasant  and  accommodating  to  all.  Occupying 
one  of  the  most  eligible  locations  in  the  city,  keeping  his  stock 
full,  and  treating  all  alike,  it  is  therefore  not  to  be  wondered  that 
he  does  a  thriving  business.  May  it  never  grow  less,  but  increase 
as  the  days  go  by. 

A.  P.  Wetherhold. — A  business  career  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
century  will  either  bring  a  man  to  ths  front  or  send  him  far  to  the 
rear.  In  business  there  can  be  no  middle  ground  for  a  man  to 
occupy,  he  must  either  go  forward  and  keep  abreast  of  the  times, 
or  be  distanced  in  the  race  by  his  more  enterprising  neighbors. 
Day  by  day  we  see  dropping  out  of  sight  those  who  were  once 
thought  to  be  enterprising  business  men,  but  who  neglectful  of 
the  opportunities  presented  to  them,  failed  to  secure  that  success 
which  seemed  to  be  within  easy  reach.  The  gentleman  whose 
name  heads  this  item  has  for  many  years  been  a  resident  of  this 
city,  and  in  various  enterprises  has  become  identified  with  its 
growth  and  prosperity.  Although  a  good  business  man,  and  one 
that  looks  closely  to  his  own  interests,  he  yet  does  not  allow  his 
mind  to  become  wholly  absorbed  in  these  matters,  but  in  other 
things  in  which  the  people  are  interested,  he  takes  an  active  part, 
and  in  this  way  he  has  brought  himself  into  notice  and  secured 
the  affection  and  good  will  of  thousands  throughout  McDonough 
and  surrounding  counties.  But  it  is  as  a  business  man  we  have 
to  deal  with  him  in  this  article.  As  remarked,  it  has  been  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  century  since  he  first  began  business  in  this  city,  his 
first  location  being  on  the  east  side  of  the  square,  corner  of  east 
Jackson  street  and  the  square.  Here  he  remained  for  some  years, 


624 

when  he  removed  to  the  north  side,  and  from  thence  to  the  north- 
east corner,  where  he  established  a  splendid  trade.  It  has  been 
but  a  short  time  since  he  removed  to  the  south  side,  in  Cottrell's 
block,  where  he  may  now  be  found,  and  where  has  been  fitted  up 
for  him  rooms  especially  adapted  for  his  trade.  He  occupies  here 
two  floors,  the  first  as  a  general  salesroom,  and  the  upper  for  the 
display  of  his  carpets  and  general  storage.  A  word  with  refer- 
ence to  the  trade  of  Mr.  Wetherhold.  The  stock  consists  of  staple 
and  fancy  dry  goods,  notions,  boots,  shoes,  carpets,  etc.,  and  in 
each  department  he  designs  to  carry  a  line  of  the  best  goods,  and 
his  reputation  for  superior  goods  has  been  made  known  far  and 
wi'de.  In  the  carpet  department  he  carries  the  largest  stock  of 
any  house  in  the  county/making  of  this  line  of  goods  more  of  a 
specialty  than  any  other  house.  Housekeepers  should  by  all 
means  examine  his  stock  before  purchasing.  In  other  depart- 
ments will  be  found  the  best  of  all  goods  which  there  belong,  and 
at  prices  that  will  satisfy  the  closest  buyer.  Remember  A.  P. 
Wetherhold,  south  side. 

T.  B.  Smith. — This  gentleman  is  well  known  throughout 
McDonough  county  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  and  can  exhibit 
some  of  the  finest  work  we  have.  Among  the  jobs  lately  com- 
pleted by  him  is  the  fine  residence  of  Thomas  Gilmore,  Esq.,  one 
of  the  neatest  and  best  pieces  of  work  in  the  county.  While  Mr. 
Smith  is  capable  of  doing  any  work  in  his  line,  he  is  ever  willing 
to  work  at  reasonable  prices,  believing  in  the  motto,  "Live  and 
let  live."  Those  designing  to  build,  or  having  carpentry  work  of 
any  kind  to  be  done,  should  first  receive  an  estimate  from  Mr. 
Smith. 

James  Gamage. — This  gentleman  came  to  Macomb  in  1862,  and 
Las  since  been  a  resident  of  the  city,  and  engaged  in  one  line  ot 
trade — that  of  a  market  for  the  sale  ot  fresh  meat,  fish,  oysters, 
etc.  From  the  first  he  secured  a  good  run  of  custom,  which  in 
all  the  years  has  never  forsaken  him.  Other  markets  have  arisen 
and  vanished  away,  but  the  old  "  Macomb  Market "  still  exists, 
and  will  as  long  as  Mr.  Gamage  remains  at  its  head.  Few  men 
in  the  city  have  a  firmer  hold  upon  the  masses  of  the  people,  and, 
when  in  nomination  for  office,  he  invariably  runs  ahead  of  his 
ticket,  receiving  the  votes  of  many  of  the  opposition.  Mr.  Gam- 
age  has  served  for  some  years  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council 
of  the  City  of  Macomb,  and  at  present  is  a  representative  in  that 
body,  and  also  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  In  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


625 


[discharge  of  his  public  duties  he  brings  to  bear  upon  every  ques- 
tion a  liberal  mind,  capable  of  observing  both  sides  of  every 
(question,  and  acting  for  the  best  interest  of  all.  While  he  would 
study  economy,  he  does  not  believe  in  being  niggardly  in  expen- 
ditures for  public  good,  realizing  the  old  maxim  that  one  can  be 
"  penny  wise  and  pound  foolish."  In  his  private  business  he 
exercises  the  same  general  care  of  all  details,  and  therefore  has 
been  reasonably  successful  in  his  work.  He  is  at  all  times  in  the 
market  for  the  purchase  of  choice  beef  cattle,  for  which  he  pays 
the  highest  market  price  in  cash.  He  also  purchases  hides,  pelts 
and  tallow.  Call  at  the  Macomb  Market,  Campbell's  corner, 
Macomb,  Illinois. 

J.  M.  Martin  &  Sons. — The  senior  member  of  this  firm  has 
been  for  twenty-seven  years  engaged  in  contracting  and  building 
in  this  city  and  county,  and  some  of  the  best  and  most  subtantial 
work  to  be  seen  was  by  his  hands.  The  junior,  Mr.  E.  P.  Mar- 
tin, is  a  natural  mechanic,  and  in  some  classes  of  work  has  no  supe- 
rior. For  two  or  three  years  he  was  engaged  with  one  of  the 
largest  firms  in  Chicago  in  stair  building  and  other  fine  work. 
The  firm  is  at  all  times  ready  to  contract  and  build,  and  will  guar- 
antee satisfaction  in  every  instance. 

J.  M.  and  T.  H.  Downing. — The  senior  member  of  this  firm 
came  to  Macomb  in  October,  1869,  from  Quincy,  Illinois,  having 
left  his  native  place  (Downingtown,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,) 
for  that  city,  where  he  pursued  his  studies  in  dentistry.  On  ar- 
riving in  this  city  he  purchased  the  office  and  good  will  of  Dr.  E. 
B.  Hamil.  During  the  first  year  he  had  a  fair  run  of  work  and 
succeeded  in  making  many  friends  and  acquaintances ;  since 
which  time  the  business  has  gradually  increased  until  now  the 
firm  have  the  largest  dental  practice  enjoyed  by  any  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  In  1874,  rooms  were  secured  in  CottrelPs  block, 
south  side,  and  arranged  especially  for  the  business,  and  we  have 
no  hesitation  in  saying  they  have  the  best  fitted  rooms  in  the  city 
or  county.  In  1873,  Mr.  T.  H.  Downing  commenced  the  study  of 
dentistry,  and  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  firm  the  past  year. 
This  gentleman,  as  well  as  the  senior  members  of  the  firm,  is  an 
excellent  workman,  and  is  now  making  regular  trips  to  Blandins- 
ville  and  Bardolph,  in  this  county,  and  Plymouth,  Hancock 
county,  and  we  are  pleased  to  chronicle  the  fact  that  he  has  met 
with  uniform  good  success  in  each  of  the  three  places  he  visits. 
The  firm  is  the  only  one  in  this  part  of  the  state  prepared  to  do 


626  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

dentistry  in  all  its  branches,  particularly  in  gold  plate,  rub- 
ber and  celluloid,  and  none  enjoy  a  better  reputation  lor 
good  work.  In  the  manufacture  ot  rubber  plate  they  are  regu- 
larly licensed  by  the  Goodyear  Rubber  Plate  Company.  Their 
list  of  patients  is  constantly  increasing.  They  are  now  using, 
when  requested  by  tha  patient,  nitrous  oxide  gas,  a  substitute  for 
chloroform,  having  none  of  its  bad  effects.  When  given,  teeth 
are  extracted  without  pain,  and  from  the  time  the  application  is 
made,  the  teeth  drawn,  and  the  patient  fully  restored  to  conscious- 
ness, it  does  not  exceed  three  minutes.  We  take  pleasure  in 
recommending  this  firm  to  our  readers  as  perfectly  reliable  in 
every  respect.  All  can  be  assured  that  what  they  say  they  can 
do  they  can  do,  and  what  they  say  they  will  do  they  will  do.  We 
trust  their  patronage  will  continue  to  increase  in  the  future  as  in 
the  past,  and  we  believe  that  it  will,  as  "true  merit  always  finds 
its  reward." 

Vinegar  Manufactory. — Alexander  Holmes  was  the  originator 
of  this  branch  of  business  in  Macomb,  and  in  September,  1874, 
erected  a  press  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Me  Arthur 
streets,  having  a  capacity  of  eighty  gallons  per  hour,  or  eight 
hundred  gallons  per  day  of  ten  working  hours.  That  year  the 
apple  crop  was  very  heavy,  and  consequently  work  was  plenty, 
and  the  press  was  run  nearly  to  its  full  capacity  for  some  two  or 
three  months.  In  1875,  apples  were  very  scarce,  but  notwith- 
standing a  good  run  was  made.  A  ready  sale  was  found  at  fair 
prices  for  all  the  vinegar  manufactured,  and  the  demand  was  in 
excess  of  the  supply.  In  1876,  another  and  still  larger  press  was 
added  with  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  gallons  an  hour, 
making  now  two  hundred  gallons  per  day,  of  ten  hours,  as  the 
amount  that  can  be  produced.  It  is  the  design  of  Mr.  Holmes  to 
begin  the  manufacture  each  year  about  the  middle  of 
August,  and  continuing  until  about  the  middle  of  December, 
and  now  that  he  is  well  prepared  for  the  business  we  look  for  this 
to  be  one  of  the  main  features  of  Macomb.  Pure  cider  vinegar  will 
hereafter  always  be  kept  on  hand  for  sale  wholesale  and  retail. 
Apples  ground  and  pressed  on  shares,  or  the  highest  market  price 
paid  for  cider  apples  during  the  season. 

S.  P.  Danley. — One  of  the  most  popular  places  of  resort  in  the 
city  is  the  art  gallery  of  the  aboved  named  gentleman.  It  has 
been  many  years  since  Mr.  Danley  ran  a  gallery  on  the  south  side 
of  the  square,  manufacturing  first  the  old  Daguerreotype,  then  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  627 

ambrotype  and  other  improvements  upon  the  original  sun  pic- 
tures ;  and  one  thing  can  truly  be  remarked  of  him,  he  never 
drags  behind,  but  is  always  abreast  of  the  times,  and  no  sooner  is 
a  new  picture  announced,  proving  to  have  any  merit,  but  this  gen- 
tleman is  prepared  to  make  it.  In  photography  he  has  not  a 
superior  in  this  section  of  the  country,  and  his  pictures  are  known 
far  and  wide,  and  his  reputation  as  an  artist  is  first  class  wherever 
he  is  known.  In  obtaining  life-like  pictures  of  children  he  can- 
not be  beat,  and  his  judgment  with  respect  to  position,  light  and 
shade  is  superior  to  the  majority  of  artists.  His  patience  with 
the  little  ones  is  to  be  commended.  About  the  year  1871,  Mr. 
Danley  purchased  the  well  known  gallery  of  Hawkins  &  Philpot, 
on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  square,  and  at  ©nee  occupied  their 
rooms.  Here  he  remained  until  the  building  was  torn  down  by 
David  Scott,  when  he  was  without  a  suitable  room  for  some 
months.  On  re-building,  Mr.  Scott  fitted  up  a  suite  of  rooms 
specially  for  his  use,  and  to-day  a  more  cosy  gallery,  or  one  better 
adapted  to  the  business,  is  hard  to  find.  To  those  desirous  of  first- 
class  work  we  have  no  hesitancy  in  recommending  S.  P.  Danley. 
Special  attention  given  to  enlarging  arid  copying  in  oil  and  water 
colors. 

E.  H.  Black. — One  of  the  finest  business  stores  west  of  Chicago 
is  that  of  E.  H.  Black,  in  the  Opera  House  block.  This  gentle- 
man came  to  Macomb,  some  seven  or  eight  years  ago,  and  shortly 
after  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  book  store  of  H.  Seymour, 
continuing1  that  relation,  we  believe,  some  eighteen  months,  when 
he  retired  from  the  firm  and  purchased  the  book  establishment  of 
S.  J.  Clarke,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square.  In  this  loca- 
tion he  remained  until  the  completion  of  the  Opera  House,  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  square,  when  he  moved  into  the  corner 
room,  which  is  certainly  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city  and  in  the 
State.  In  this  room  he  has  constantly  on  exhibition  a  stock  of 
books,  stationery,  wall  paper,  window  shades,  toys  and  fancy 
goods  that  would  do  credit  to  a  city  twenty  times  the  size  of  Ma- 
comb.  Xo  one  should  visit  the  city  without  calling  at  Black's 
book  store. 

B.  F.  Gloyd. — This  gentleman  for  a  number  of  years  past  has 
been  engaged  very  extensively  in  the  importation  and  breeding  of 
fine  stock,  and  credit  is  due  him  for  the  great  advancement  made 
in  this  business  in  this  county.  We  believe  it  was  at  his  sugges- 
tion that  the  first  importation  was  made.  Mr.  Gloyd  has  now  five 


628  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUQH  COUNTY. 

horses  which  are  pronounced  by  good  judges  to  be  the  finest  in 
the  county,  and  well  worth  a  day's  travel  to  see.  The  time  for 
breeding  to  common  stock  has  gone  by,  as  it  don't  pay,  and  our 
farmers  begin  to  realize  the  fact.  A  demand  always  exists  lor 
good  stock,  while  for  common  a  sale  can  scarcely  ever  be  made. 
Of  the  horses  mentioned,  "Banker"  is  a  dark  bay,  imported 
Clydesdale,  and  needs  only  to  be  seen  to  be  admired.  "Annan- 
dale"  is  another  Clydesdale,  and  second  only  to  Banker,  and  by 
some  would  be  preferred.  "Barney  Sperry"  and  "Johnny  Bethel" 
are  both  steel-gray,  one-half  blood  Percheron,  while  "Scotland"  is 
likewise  a  half  blood  Percheron.  For  any  information  in  relation 
to  the  above,  address  B.  F.  Gloyd,  Macomb,  Illinois. 

A.  V.  Brooking. — In  the  stablei  of  A.  V.  Brooking,  this  city, 
may  be  seen  three  as  nice  and  noble  specimens  of  the  horse  as 
any  would  wish  to  see.  We  are  glad  to  see  the  interest  being 
taken  in  breeding  the  better  class  of  stock  in  this  county.  The 
question,  "  Will  it  pay  ?"  we  think  has  been  pretty  effectually 
solved,  and  our  farmers  now  realize  and  know  it  will  pay.  The 
following  horses  will  be  found  at  Brooking's  stables  :  "Gloria." 
This  fine  stallion  was  imported  from  France  in  November,  1874, 
by  Degan  Brothers,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  He  is  now  eight  years 
old,  and  weighs  1,900  pounds.  Is  a  beautiful  dapple  gray,  re- 
markably kind  and  gentle  indisposition.  "Rothamagus." — Was 
imported  from  France  in  July,  1870,  by  Dr.  B.  R.  Westfall,  of 
Macomb,  Illinois.  He  is  now  eleven  years  old,  is  16J  hands  high, 
and  weighs  1,700  pounds.  "Chickamauga." — Is  a  bright  bay,with 
black  points,  15J  hands  high.  A  natural  pacer,  and  could  go  in 
2:30  before  he  was  hipped.  Chickamauga  has  but  six  colts  that 
we  know  of  old  enough  to  be  trained.  Of  these  Chickamauga, 
Jr.,  has  a  record  of  2:29J;  Susie  Ross,  2:32;  Billy  Butler,  2:38. 
The  Kenner  mare,  the  Crab  mare,  and  Snap  Dragon,  have  never 
been  trained,  but  can  trot  a  mile  in  three  minutes  easily  ;  they  are 
all  from  very  common  mares.  Any  information  desired  in  refer- 
ence to  any  of  the  foregoing  mentioned  horses,  will  be  cheerfully 
given  by  their  owner.  Call  at  stables  on  East  Jackson  street,  or 
address  A.  Y.  Brooking,  Macomb,  Illinois. 

SUMMARY. 

The  following  is  a  carefully  compiled  statement  of  the  number 
of  firms  represented  in  the  various  trades  and  professions  named: 
agricultural  implements,  five ;  bakers  and  confectioners,  two ; 
banks,  three;  barbers,  five;  billiard  halls,  one  ;  blacksmiths,  seven; 


HISTORY  OF  M'BONOUGH  COUNTY.  629 

boarding  houses,  six  ;  books  and  stationery,  two ;  boot  and  shoe 
makers  and  dealers,  seven  ;  bounty  and  pension  agents,  two ;  bowl- 
ing alleys,  two ;  broom  manufacturers,  two ;  carpenters  and 
builders,  ten ;  cider  and  vinegar  manufacturers,  three ;  cigar 
manufacturers,  one;  city  scales,  one;  collecting  agents,  two; 
clothing  and  gents'  furnishing  goods,  four  ;  commission  merchants, 
one;  confectioners,  three;  coopers,  two ;  dairies,  two;  dentists, 
two ;  dress  and  cloak  makers,  six  ;  druggists,  five ;  dry  goods, 
ten ;  egg  packer,  one ;  express  companies,  one ;  flour  and  feed, 
six;  foundries  and  machine  shops,  one  ;  florists,  one;  furniture, 
three;  grain  dealers,  two;  gas  company,  one;  grindstone  com- 
pany, one;  groceries,  fourteen;  gunsmiths,  two;  hair  works, 
three;  hardware,  three  ;  hats  and  caps,  nine;  hide  dealers,  three; 
hotels,  two;  horse  breeder  and  dealer,  one ;  ice  dealer,  one ;  in- 
surance agents,  eight ;  lawyers,  fifteen ;  livery,  feed  and  sale 
stables,  three  ;  loan  agents,  two  ;  lumber  dealers,  three ;  marble 
works,  one ;  mattress  makers,  one ;  meat  market/  four ;  mills, 
three;  millinery  and  millinery  goods,  five;  music  and  musical 
instruments,  four ;  music  teachers,  six  ;  newspapers  and  printers, 
three;  notaries  public,  twelve;  notion  dealers,  two  ;  novelty  shops, 
two  ;  nurseries,  three  ;  opera  house,  one  ;  painters,  eight :  photo- 
graphers, two  ;  physicians,  ten  ;  picture  and  frame  dealers,  three; 
potteries,  two  ;  pump  factories,  one  ;  planing  mills,  one ;  real  es- 
tate dealers,  two;  restaurants,  five;  saddle  and  harness  makers; 
three;  sewing  machine  dealers,  three;  steamship  agents,  three; 
master  in  chancery,  one  ;  sorghum  evaporator  manufacturer,  one  , 
stove  and  tinware  dealers,  four ;  tailor  shops,  seven  ;  trunk  and 
valise  dealers,  three;  undertakers,  two;  wagon  makers  and 
dealers,  six  ;  watches,  clock  and  jewelry  dealers,  four. 

In  the  above  statement  are  eighty-two  different  professions  and 
business,  engaged  in  by  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  different 
firmB. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

AGRICULTURAL  IMPLEMENTS. 

Brandon,  J.  F.  <t  Co.,  southeast  corner  Randolph  and  Calhoun. 

Co-operative  Store,  T.  J.  Beard,  agent,  southeast  corner  Square. 

Graves,  N.  J.,  south  side  square. 

Hunt,  A.,  south  side  Square. 

Lancy,  S.  F.,  northwest  corner  Carroll  and  Lafayette. 

BAKERS  AND  CONFECTIONERS. 

Beckhaus,  H.,  southeast  corner  Randolph  and  Carroll, 
tiadd,  George,  24,  Campbell's  Block,  west  side  Square. 

H— 40 


630  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


BANKS. 

Savings  Bank— in  connection  with  First  National  Bank. 
The  First  National  Bank,  northwest  corner  Square. 
Union  National  Bank,  northeast  corner  Square. 

BARBERS. 

Ball,  Wm.,  east  side  Square. 
Field,  James,  west  side  Square. 
Russell,  Wm.,  No.  16  north  Randolph. 
Smithers  &  Brothers,  St.  Elmo  House. 
Wolf  &  Leach,  south  side  Square. 

BILLIARD  HALL. 

Rost,  C.,  west  side  Square  . 

BLACKSMITHS. 

Broaddus,  R.  H.,  southwest  corner  Lafayette  and  Washington. 

Gregory,  T.  L.,  No.  30  south  Lafayette. 

Imes,  W.  L.,  northeast  corner  Carroll  and  Edwards. 

Karr,  J.  P.,  No.  27  south  Lafayette. 

Lodge,  A.  K.,  South  Lafayette. 

Massey,  R.  H.  &  Co.,  east  side  Lafayette  and  south  Washington. 

Wallingford,  K.  A.,  sonth  side  Jackson  and  west  of  the  square. 

BOARDING  HOUSES. 

Hail,  Wm.  S.,  south  side  Carroll  near  College. 

O'Neal,  Mrs.  A.,  No.  45  west  Jackson. 

Poling,  Mrs.  E.  C.,  southwest  corner  Me  Arthur  and  Carroll. 

Russell.  John  L.,  No.  Tl  west  Jackson. 

Smith,  Mrs.  M.,  No>10  west  Carroll. 

BOOKS  AND  STATIONERY. 

Black,  E.  H.,  northwest  corner  square,  dealer  in  books,  stationery,  toys,  wall  and  window 
t>aper,  pictures  and  frames. 

Welch  <t  Thornton,  northeast  corner  Square,  dealers  in  books,  stationery,  toys,  wall  and  win- 
dow paper,  pictures  and  frames. 

BOOT  AND  SHOE  MAKERS   AND  DEALERS. 

Barry,  J.,  No.  10  north  side  Square. 

Durr  &  Farmer,  south  side  Square,  also  dealer  in  leather. 

Hall,  Geo.  P.,  south  side  Square. 

Knapp,  D.,  one  door  north  postoffice  west  side  Lafayette. 

Lamon,  P.  E.,  No.  2  Bailey's  Block,  northeast  corner  Square. 

Randolph,  B.  F.,  No.  15  north  side  Square. 

BOUNTY  AND  PENSION  AGENTS. 

•Cadwalader,  C.  M.,  second  floor,  northwest  corner  Square. 
"Withrow,  W.  E.,  second  floor,  Campbell's  Block,  west  side  Square. 

BOWLING   ALLEYS. 

Hesh,  Peter,  north  side  of  Jackson,  west  of  the  Square. 
Haley,  James,  west  side  of  the  Square. 

BROOM  MAKERS. 

Garrison,  M.  G  ,  west  Jackson  and  McArthur. 
Hobart,  W.,  Washington  near  Monroe. 

CARPENTERS  AND  BUILDERS. 

Churchill,  J.  W.,  west  side  of  Lafayette,  near  Carroll. 

Holmes,  W.,  south  side  of  Washington,  west  of  Randolph. 

Holmos,  A.,  southwest  corner  Washington  and  McArthur. 

McBride,  P.,  Lafayette  near  Washington. 

Martin,  J.  M.  &  Son,  south  side  of  Lafayette  south  of  the  Sqtiare. 

Pearce  &  Edwards,  southwest  corner  of  Washington  and  Campbell. 

Smith,  J.,  32  south  Lafayette. 

Smith,  T.  B.,  9  east  Washington. 

Stover,  J.,  west  side  of  Lafayette  near  Carroll. 

Thomas,  W.  O.,  south  side  of  Calhoun  east  of  Lafayette. 

CIDER  AND  VINEGAR  MAKERS. 

Brooking  &  Rowe.  southeast  corner  of  Campbell  and  Calhoun. 
Holmes,  A.,  southwest  corner  of  Washington  and  McArthur. 
Pillsbury,  E.  P.,  corner  of  Madison  and  Washington. 

CIGAR  MANUFACTURER. 

Dawson.  E  P.,  north  side  of  the  Square. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  631 


CITY  SCALES. 

J.  S.  Smith,  city  weigher,  southwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

COLLECTING   AGENTS. 

McGan,  P.  H.,  second  floor,  west  side  of  the  Square. 
Mosher,  J.,  Court  House. 

CLOTHING   AND  GENTS1    FURNISHING  GOODS. 

Kenner  &  Brooking,  3,  Bailey's  Block,  north  side  of  the  Square. 
McClellan,  J.  C.,  7  north  side  of  the  Square. 
Wilson  &  Fellheimer,  16  north  side  of  the  Square. 
Wald  Bros.,  east  side  of  the  Square. 

COMMISSION  MERCHANT. 

Patrick,  €.,  north  side  of  Calhoun  west  of  Campbell. 

CONFECTIONERS. 

Dalzell  <fe  Hainline,  east  side  of  Square. 
Dudley,  J.  C.,  No.  4,  Opera  House  Block. 
Lane,  Win.  B.,  east  side  of  the  Square. 

COOPERS. 
Trull  &  Son,  southeast  corner  of  Randolph  and  Walker. 

DAIRYMEN. 

Case,  M..  north  end  Randolph. 
Pace,  Thomas. 


Downing  &  Bro.,  second  floor  Cotrell's  block,  south  side  Square. 
Whissen,  H.  H.,  secon«l  floor,  east  side  Square. 

DRESS   AND  CLOAK  MAKERS. 

Cale  Sisters,  second  floor  Cotrell's  block,  south  side  Square. 

Cary,  A.  Mrs.,  5  south  Randolph. 

Dedrick,  M.  Mrs.,  10  north  Randolph. 

Jacobs,  M.  F.  Mrs.,  6  north  side  Square. 

Waller  Sisters,  eastside  McArthur,  north  Jackson. 

White,  M.  A.  Mrs.,  east  side  Square. 

DRUGS,  PAINTS    AND    OIlJB. 

Delaney.  P.  H..  14  north  side  Square. 

Ervin  &  Son,  south  side  Square. 

Keefer,  George  D.  &  Bro.,  northwest  corner  Square. 

Kyle,  F.  R.,  south  side  Square. 

Lane  &  Gore,  east  side  Square. 

DRY   GOODS. 

Bailey,  George  W.,  east  side  Square,  corner  Jackson,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes. 

Bailey  &  Churchill,  northeast  corner  Square. 

Hagerty,  W.  H.,  4  Bailey's  block,  north  side  Square. 

Johnson,  L.,  northwest'corner  Square,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  boots,  shoes  and  carpets. 

McElrath,  T.,  southwest  corner  Square,  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes. 

Ross,  S.  A.  M..  east  side  Square. 

Stapp  &  Wyne,  south  side  Square. 

Twyman,  H.  C.,  agent,  northwest  corner  Square,  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes. 

Venable  Bros.,  11  north  side  Square. 

Wetherhold  &  Co.,  south  side  Square,  dry  goods  and  carpets. 

EGG   PACKERS   AND  SHIPPERS. 

Blount,  F.  J..  southwest  corner  Randolph  and  Pierce. 

EXPRESS     COMPANY. 

American,  northeast  corner  Square,  J.  S.  Gash,  agent. 

FLOUR   AND  FEED. 

McDonough,  E.,  northeast  corner  Square. 
Hunt,  A.,  south  side  Square. 

FOUNDRIES   AND   M  A  CHINE  SHOPS. 

Fisher,  A.  &  Bro.,  west  side  Randolph,  opposite  freight  depot 

FLORIST. 

Hampton.  D.  S.,  No.  29  west  Jackson. 


632  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

FURNITURE. 

Martin,  B.  F.  &  Son,  No.  5  Opera  House  Block. 
McElrath,  J.,  southwest  corner  Square. 

GRAIN  DEALER. 

Beardsley,  S.  R.,  north  side  Calhoun  and  Randolph, 

GAS  COMPANY. 

Western  Excelsior  Gas  Company — office  over  Union  National  Bank. 

GRINDSTONE  MANUFACTORY. 

Macomb  Stone  Company— west  of  city  limits. 

GROCERIES. 

Adcock  Bros.,  east  side  Square. 

Adcock,  J.  T.,  east  side  Square,  corner  Jackson. 

Beard,  T.  J.,  agent,  co-operative  store,  southeast  corner  Square. 

Davis,  W.  H.,  No.  12  north  Randolph. 

Farley,  John,  west  side  Square,  also  flour  and  feed. 

Gamage,  J.  S.,  No.  7  south  Randolph,  also  Hour  and  feed. 

Garrett,  L.,  west  side  Square. 

Lipe,  W.  M.,  west  side  Square. 

Pace,  G.  tV.  &  Co.,  southeast  corner  Square,  also  dealer  in  flour  and  feed. 

Shumate,  D.,  east  side  Square. 

Simpson,  John,  east  side  Square,  also  dealer  in  flour  and  feed. 

Slade  &  Walker,  southeast  corner  Square. 

Webb,  J.  T.  No.  9  north  side  Square. 

GUNSMITHS. 

Harris,  R.  E.,  No.  14  north  Randolph.    . 

Whitman,  L.  F.,  Lafayette,  one  door  north  post  office. 

HAIR  DRESSING. 

Clarke,  Mrs.  B.  F.,  west  side  Lafayette  north  of  Carroll. 
James,  Mrs.  S.  A.,  second  floor,  southwest  corner  Square. 
Robinson,  Mrs.  A.  W.,  No.  13  south  Randolph. 

HARDWARE. 

Blount  &  Smith,  No.  13  north  side  Square. 

Scott  &  Cook,  south  side  Square,  dealers  in  hardware,  china,  glas«,  queensware,  paints  and  oils. 

Wells  Brothers,  north  side  Square,  also  dealers  in  china,  glass  and  queensware. 

HATS  AND  CAPS. 

Hall,  Geo,  P.,  south  side  Square. 
Kenner  &  Brooking,  No.  3  north  side  Square, 
Lamon,  P.  E.,  northeast  corner  Square. 
McClellan,  J.  C.,  No.  7  north  side  Square. 
McElrath,  T.,  southwest  corner  Square. 
Randolph,  B.  F.,  No.  15  north  side  Square. 
Twyman,  H.  C.,  agent,  northwest  corner  Square. 
AVillson  &  Fellheimer,  No.  16  north  side  Square. 
Wald  Bros.,  east  side  Square. 


HIDES. 


Durr,  J.,  south  side  Square. 
Gamage,  J.,  west  side  Square. 
Wald  Bros.,  east  side  Square. 


Randolph  House,  southeast  corner  Square.    A.  V.  Brooking,  proprietor. 

St.  Elmo  House,  west  side  Square,  corner  Jackson.    A  H.  Shepherd,  proprietor. 

HORSE  BREEDERS  AND  DEALERS. 

Brooking,  A.  V.,  stable  east  Jackson. 


ng 
,  B. 


Gloyd,  B.  F.,  stables  rear  First  National  Bank. 


Gesler,  J.,  corner  Randolph  and  Carroll. 


INSURANCE  AGENTS. 


Bradford,  E.  F.,  depot  of  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R. 
Chandler,  C.  V.,  First  National  Bank. 
Cummings,  J.  H.,  First  National  Bank. 
Holland,  L.,  Union  National  Bank. 
Lawrence,  R.,  Court  House. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  633 

Pioer,  O.  F.,  4  north  Randolph,  second  floor. 
Winslow,  M.  T.,  First  National  Bank. 
Wood,  N.  R.,  south  end  of  Mechanic. 
Twyman,  I.  L.,  east  Carroll. 

LAWYERS. 

Bailey,  J.  S.,  second  floor,  one  door  south  of  the  First  National  Bank,  west  side  of  the  Square . 

•Cadwalader,  C.  M..  second  floor  northwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

Campbell,  L.  F.,  residence  north  side  of  Jackson  west  of  Johnson. 

Franklin,  \V.  H.,  second  floor  northwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

Franklin,  J.  H.,  over  Union  National  Bank. 

Blazer,  James  M.,  office  with  C.  F.  Wheat. 

Campbell  &  Prentiss,  Campbell's  Block. 

Foltz,  J.  H.,  Court  House. 

McGan,  P.  H.,  second  floor  Campbell's  Block,  west  side  of  the  Square. 

Mosher,  J.,  Court  House. 

Neece  &  Baker,  Court  House. 

Pillsbury.  E.  P.,  over  First  National  Bank. 

Tunnicliff,  D.  G.,  second  floor  Campbell's  Block,  west  side  Square. 

Walker  J.  M.,  over  First  National  Bank. 

Wheat,  C.  F.,  over  First  National  Bank. 

LIVERY,   FEED   AND  SALE  STABLE?. 

Brooking,  A.  V.,  south  side  of  Jackson  east  of  the  Square. 
Dodds,  W.  J.,  south  side  of  Jackson  west  of  the  Square. 
French,  S.,  southeast  corner  of  theSauare. 

LOAN   AGENTS. 

Mosher,  J.,  Court  House. 

Winslow,  M.  T.,  office  First  National  Bank. 

LUMBER. 

Bartleson  &  Gilmore,  plso  Hair,  Lime  and  Cement,  east  side  of  Lafayette  north  of  Carroll. 

Blount,  A.,  also  Hair,  Lime  and  Cement,  34  south  Lafayette. 

Penrose,  J.  &  Bro.,  (native)  southeast  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Me  Arthur. 

MARBLE  WORKS. 
Quin  &.  Wilson,  southwest  corner  Randolph  and  Carroll. 

MATTRESS  MAKER. 

Garrison,  M.  G.,  west  Jack-son. 

MEAT   MARKETS. 

Adcock  Bros.,  east  side  of  the  Square. 
Gamage,  James,  west  side  of  the  Square. 
Davis.  W.  H.,  north  Randolph. 
Scott,  L.  W.,  west  side  of  the  square. 

MILLERS. 

Trull,  &  Son,  southeast  corner  Randolph  and  Walker. 
Penrose,  J.  &  Bro.,  southeast  corner  Jefferson  and  Me  Arthur. 
Tinsley,  N.  P.,  east  side  Lafayette,  north  of  Pierce. 

MILLINERY   AND  MILLINERY  GOODS. 

Cary,  A.  Mrs.,  5  south  Randolph. 
Jacobs.  M.  F.  Mrs.,  6  uerth  side  Square. 
Good,  S.  C.  Mrs.,  south  side  Square.- 
White,  M.  A.  Mrs.,  east  side  Square. 
Broaddus,  R.  H.  Mrs.,  east  side  Square. 

MUSIC   AND   MUSICAL  INSTRUMENTS. 

Black,  E.  H.,  northeast  corner  Square. 

Kline,  C.,  f.  north  side  Square. 

Welch  &  Thornton,  northeast  corner  Square. 

MUSIC  TEACHERS. 

Hall,  M.  E.  Miss,  66  east  Washington. 

Hampton,  William,  62  east  Carroll. 

Chamberlain.  Annie  Mrs.,  corner  Johnson  and  Pierce, 

Barker,  D.  J.  Miss,  southwest  corner  Adams  and  Madison. 

Madison,  Miss  M.,  southwest  corner  Jackson  and  Madison. 

Marine,  Rosa  Mrs.,  Randolph  House. 

NEWSPAPBRS  AND  PRINTERS. 

Macomb  Independent,  H.  H.  Stevens  proprietor,  Campbell's  block,  west  side  Square. 
Macomb  Journal,  Hampton  &  Hainline  proprietors,  8  north  Randolph. 
Macomb  Eagle,  C.  H.  Whitaker  proprietor,  second  floor  11  north  side  Square. 

NOTARIES  PUBLIC. 

Baker,  J.  H.,  Court  House. 

Cadwalader,  C.  M.,  second  floor,  northwest  corner  Square. 

Chandler,  C.  V.,  First  National  Bank. 

Eads.  A.,  Union  National  Bnnk. 

Falkenthal,  A.  W.,  second  floor  Campbell's  block,  west  side  Square. 

McGan,  P.  H.,  Campbell's  block. 

Mosher,  J.,  court  House. 


634  HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Neece,  Wm.  H.,  Court  House. 
Tunnicliff,  D.  G.,  second  floor  Campbell's  block. 
Wheat,  C.  F.,  over  First  National  Bank. 
Winslow,  M.  T.,  First  National  Bank. 
Withrow,  W.  E.,  Campbell's  block. 

NOTIONS. 

Broaddus,  R.  H.,  Mrs.,  east  Ride  Square. 
Stryker,  E.  C.  Mrs.,  north  Randolph. 
Donaldson,  L.  C.  Mrs.,  north  Randolph  street. 

NOVELTY  SHOPS. 


Harris,  R.  E. ,  14  north  Randolph. 
Stearns  &  Lipe,  south  side  Square. 


NUUSERIES. 


Hampton,  D.  8.,  (dealer)  29  west  Jackson. 
Kendrick,  W.  H.,  west  end  of  Pierce. 
Vawter,  A.  T.  north  Lafayette. 

OPERA  HOUSE. 

Chandler's,  northwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

PAINTERS. 

Ashton,  J.  B.,  southwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

Avery  &  Head,  southwest  corner  of  Randolph  and  Carroll. 

Harrison,  T.  B.,  (landscape  and  portrait)  19,  Court  House. 

Ingraham  &  Argenbright.  26  north  Lafayette. 

Patterson  &  Frank,  south  side  of  Jackson,  east  of  the  Square. 

Russell,  J.  B.,  west  side  of  Lafayette  north  of  Pierce. 

Russell,  J.  T.,  residence  south  side  of  Wheeler  west  of  Albert. 

Frost,  Charles,  residence  north  side  of  Jefferson  west  of  Johnson. 

Sosmau,  J.  S.,  Basement  Court  House. 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 

Danley,  S.  P.,  second  floor  southeast  corner  of  the  Square. 
Philpot,  T.,  second  floor  No.  7,  north  side  of  the  Square. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Archer,  M.  C.,  northeast  corner  of  Jackson  and  McArthur. 

Bayne,  W.  F.,  (eclectic)  second  floor  Bailey's  Block,  northeast  corner  of  the  Square. 

Blaisdell,  W.  O.,  (homeopathic)  second  floor  Cottrell's  Block,  south  side  of  the  Square. 

Dunn,  B.  I.,  northwest  corner  of  Carroll  and  Madison. 

Garrison,  P.  H.,  second  floor  Cottrell's  Block,  south  side  of  the  Square. 

Kyle,  J.  B.,  Kyle's  Drugstore,  south  side  of  the  Square. 

Livermore  &  Ellis,  second  floor  northwest  corner  of  the  Square. 

McDavitt,  V.,  second  floor  northeast  corner  of  the  Square. 

Westfall,  B.  R.,  (Homeopathic)  second  floor  northwest  corner  of  the  Square, 

PICTURES  AND  FRAMES. 

•    (See  Books.and  Stationery.) 

Rice,  W.  H.,  east  side  of  Randolph  north  of  Carroll  Street. 

POTTERS. 

Eddy,  A.  W.  &  Co.,  northwest  corner  of  Dudley  and  Pierce  Streets. 
Stoffers  &  Allbert,  southwest  corner  of  Edwards  and  Pierce  Streets. 

PUMPS.. 
Woodworth,  J.,  south  side  of  Jackson  Street  west  of  the  Square. 

PLAMNG  MILLS. 

Thomas,  W.  O.,  south  side  of  Calhoun  east  of  Lafayette  Street. 

REAL  ESTATE. 

McLean,  A.,  over  Union  National  Bank. 
Baker,  J.  H.,  Court  House. 

RESTAURANTS. 

Dudley,.  J.  C.,  No.  4  Opera  House  Block. 

Dalzell  &  Hainline,  east  side  of  the  Square. 

Lane,  Wm.,  east  side  of  the  Square. 

Regnar,  J.,  north  side  of  Jackson  Street,  west  of  the  Square. 

SADDLES  AND  HARNESS. 

Hoskinson,  John.,  south  side  of  the  Square. 
Hoffman,  F.  J.,  west  side  of  the  Square.. 
Naylor,  Z.  T.,  southwest  corner  of  the  square. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  635 


.SEWING    MACHINES. 

Black,  E,  H.  agent,  northwest  corner  of  the  Squaic. 
Smith,  J.  A.,  agent,  No.  10,  Randolph. 
Damron,  Wm.,  with  E.  H.  Black. 

STEAMSHIP  AGENTS. 

Chandler.  C.  V..  First  National  Bank. 
Holland,  L.,  Union  National  Bank. 
McLean,  A.,  over  Union  National  Bank. 

MASTER    IN   CHANCEKY. 

Bailey,  J.  S.,  second  floor,  first  door  south,  First  National  Bank. 

SORGHUM  EVAPORATOR-MAKERS. 

Price,  T.  J.  &  J.  M..  southeast  corner  Calhoun  and  Campbell. 

STOVES  AND  TINWARE. 

Mclntosh  &  Blount,  north  side  Square. 

Wells  Bros.,  north  side  Square. 

Fisher  &  Bro.,  (stove  makers),  west  side  of  Randolph,  north  of  railroad. 

Scott  <fc  Cook,  south  side  Square. 

TAILORS. 

Hastie,  W.,  sec..nd  floor  Holland's  Block,  Randolph. 
Kerman,  Wm.,  at  Wald  Bros.,  east  side  Square, 
McClellan,  J.  C.,  No.  7,  north  Side  of  the  Square. 
Milligan.  G.,  east  side  of  the  Square. 
Phelps,  Wm.,  second  floor,  northwest  corner  of  the  square. 
Strauss  &  Wilson,  No.  16,  north  side  of  the  Square. 
Venable  Bros.,  No.  11,  north  side  of  the  Square. 
Phelps,  J.  H.,  north  side  of  the  Square,  Bailey's  Block. 

TRUNKS  AND    VALISES. 

Lamon,  P.  E.  north  side  Square,  No.  2. 
Kenner  &  Brooking,  north  side  Square,  No.  3. 
Randolph,  B.  F.,  15,  north  side  Square. 

UNDERTAKERS. 

Martin.  B.  F..  &  Son,  5  Opera  House  block. 
McElrath,  J.,  southwest  corner  Square. 

WAGON  MAKERS  AND  DEALERS. 

Brandon,  J.  F..  &  Co.,  southeast  corner  Randolph  and  Calhoun. 

Gribble,  J.  L.,  26  and  28  South  Lafayette  . 

Inies,  W.  L.,  corner  Carroll  and  Edwards. 

Lancy,  S.  F.,  corner  Corroll  and  Lafayette. 

Stewart  &  Price,  corner  Calhoun  and  Campbell. 

Lodge,  A.  K.  south  Lafayette. 

WATCHES,   CLOCKS   AND  JEWELRY. 

Kline,  C.,  r>  Bailey  block,  north  side  Square. 
Seem  &  Broaddus,  northeast  corner  Square. 
Stocker,  L..  south  side  Square. 
Wilson,  J.  H.,  south  side  Square. 

CHURCHES. 

Christian  Church,  north  side  Carroll,  east  of  Lafayette  street;  Elder  G.  W.  Mapes,  pastor. 
Congregational  Church,  north  side  Carroll,  east  of  Randolph  street. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  east  side  Campbell,  south  of  Jackson  street;  Rev.  G.  H.  Schnurr, 
pastor. 

First  Baptist  Church,  south  side  Carroll,  west  of  Lafayette  street ;  Rev.  J.  L.  M.  Young,  pastor. 

M.  E.  Church,  west  side  Lafayette,  north  of  Carroll  street ;  Rev.  M.  A.  Head,  pastor. 

Presbyterian  Church,  north  side  Carroll  street,  east  of  Square ;  Rev.  J.  Moore,  pastor. 

St.  Paul's  Catholic  Church,  south  side  Jackson,  west  of  Johnson  street;  Rev.  J.  Tuohy,  pastor. 

Second  Baptist  (colored),  east  side  Lafayette,  north  of  Carroll  street. 

Second  Methodist  (colored),  west  side  Square. 

Universalist,  east  Jackson ;  Rev.  B.  N.  Wiles,  Pastor. 

CITY  GOVERNMENT. 

Mayor,  Ashur  Blount:  Clerk,  L.  E.  Wyne;  Police  Magistrate,  O.  F.  Piper;  Attorney,  J.  H. 
Franklin;  Treasurer,  C.  V.  Chandler:  Collector,  Henry  Shetterly ;  Assessor,  Hugh  Ervin  ;  En- 
gineer and  Surveyor,  J.  W.  Brattle  ;  Marshall,  Karr  McClintock;  Policemen,  Henry  Chapman,  and 
John  Simmons  ;  Street  Supervisor,  G.  B.  Gash;  City  Weigher,  JohnS.  Smith  ;  Sexton,  John  Shannon. 

COUNCIL. 

First  Ward.  W.  E.  Martin,  and  E.  F.  Bradford  ;  Second  Ward,  J.  H.  Cummings.  and  J.  E.  Wyne; 
Third  Ward,  John  McLean,  and  D.  Scott;  Fourth  Ward,  W.  O.  Thomas,  and  J.  Gamage. 


636  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

BOARD  OF  HEALTH. 

Ashur  Blount,  President;  Dr.  W.  O.  Blaisdell,  Dr.  W.  F.  Bayne,  and  Dr.  P.  H.  Garretson,  Mem- 
bers. 

SOCIETIES. 

MASONIC. 

(Hall  third  floor  Holland's  block,  northeast  corner  Square.) 
Macomb  Lodge  No.  17,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  meets  first  Friday  in  each  month. 
Kyle  Lodge  No.  553,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  meets  third  Friday  in  each  month. 
Morse  Chapter  No.  19,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  meets  second  Friday  in  each  month. 

ODD  FELLOWS. 

(Hall  Gamage  block,  Second  floor,  7.  S.  Randolph.) 

Military  Tract  Lodge  No.  145,  meets  every  Tuesday  evening. 

Washington  Encampment  No.  39,  meets  first  and  third  Thursdays  of  each  month. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Good  Samaritan  Temperance  Society,  meets  alternately  at  the  churches,  Sunday  at  4  P.  M. 
Macomb  Literary  Society,  meets  every  Monday  evening.     Hall  in  Holland's  block. 
Macomb  Shooting  Club,  meets  Campbell's  block,  west  side  Square,  second  Tuesday  each  month. 
McDonough  County  Stock,  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association.    Fair  grounds  south  end 
of  Lafayette. 


637 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

BLANDIXSVILLE. 

Iii  1842  Joseph  L.  Blandin,  the  owner  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  thirty-two,  concluded  to  locate  thereon  a  new  town, 
and  for  that  purpose  secured  the  service  of  Samuel  Hunt,  Esq., 
County  Surveyor,  who  proceeded  to  survey  and  lay  it  off.  To  the 
place  was  given  the  name  of  Blandinsville,  in  honor  of  its  founder. 

The  neighborhood  in  which  the  town  is  located  had  long  been 
known  as  "Job's  Settlement,"  and  was  the  second  one  in  the 
county,  William  and  Iraby  Job  having  located  here  as  early  as 
1827.  Even  for  ten  years  after  the  town  was  located  the  people 
in  various  parts  of  the  county  would  still  familiarly  call  it  by  its 
old  name. 

Xo  sale  of  public  lots  was  ever  made,  and  no  special  effort  made 
to  push  the  town  as  is  now  customary.  The  first  lots  sold  at  from 
twenty-five  to  fifty  dollars  each. 

The  town  is  very  pleasantly  situated,  and  various  additions 
have  been  made  to  its  territory,  the  first  being  by  Thomas  J. 
Davis,  who  had  laid  off  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  thirty- 
three  ;  after  which  we  find  additions  recorded  by  William  H. 
Grigsby  and  Thomas  I.  Sorter  on  section  thirty-three,  Joshua 
Dunham  on  section  thirty-two,  and  Mr.  Foster,  northeast  quarter 
section  five,  Hire  township. 

The  first  dwelling  house  erected  after  the  laying  off  of  the 
town  was  by  Charles  E.  Hume,  who,  together  with  Joseph  C. 
Blaudin,  a  son  of  the  founder  of  the  place,  erected  the  first  store 
building,  the  latter  of  which  still  stands,  and  is  yet  a  good,  sub- 
stantial building.  It  is  in  size  eighteen  by  thirty-four  feet,  and  is 
now  used  as  a  paint  shop. 

Blandinsville  is  surrounded  by  as  tine  farming  country  as  can  be 
found  in  the  State,  and  her  growth  has  been  uniform  with  it.  No 


638  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

effort  has  ever  been  made  to  establish  manufactories,  and  therefore 
the  mercantile  and  laboring  classes  are  dependent  upon  the  trade 
of  the  farming  community.  The  mercantile  trade  of  the  place 
has  always  been  good,  its  business  seemingly  never  to  have  been 
overdone.  Among  the  many  -who  have  engaged  in  business  here 
during  the  past  thirty-five  years,we  recall  the  name  of  S.  J.  Hopper, 
who  came  here  about  the  year  1846,  and  for  some  sixteen  or  eigh- 
teen years  enjoyed  a  very  large  trade.  Mr.  Hopper  continued  in 
business  until  elected  sheriff  of  the  county  in  1860,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Macomb,  remaining  there  until  his  death,  which  occur- 
red a  few  years  afterwards.  A.  P.  Hopper  came  about  the  same 
time,  and  for  many  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness. Ed.  R,  Jones  has  been  in  the  mercantile  trade  for  a  great 
many  years.  Others  somewhat  prominent  were  Harrison  and 
Adonijah  Hungate,  R.  D.  Hammond,  J.  F.  Durant,  Dr.  Huston, 
Joseph  L.  Blandin,  George  "W.  Blandin,  and  many  others. 

In  the  cause  of  education  Blandinsville  has  kept  pace  with  the 
rest  of  the  county,  her  public  schools  usually  being  among  the 
best.  At  an  early  date  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  established 
in  the  place  an  institution  of  learning,  to  which  was  given  the 
name  of  Blandinsville  Seminary.  During  the  short  period  of  its 
existence  it  accomplished  much  good.  Not  being  financially  a 
successs,  the  building  and  grounds  were  sold  to  the  village,  and  is 
yet  used  for  school  purposes. 

Until  the  completion  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad,  the  town  in  its  growth  compared  favorably  with  others 
in  the  county,  after  which  its  progress  \vas  not  so  great.  The 
facilities  gained  by  the  others  from  the  introduction  of ,  the  rail- 
road enabled  them  to  gain  greatly  over  her  in  population  and 
wealth.  Her  leading  citizens  at  once  saw  the  danger  to  which  she 
was  exposed,  and  when  the  subject  of  constructing  the  Toledo, 
Peoria  &  Warsaw  Railroad  was  agitated,  they  began  at  once  to 
take  steps  to  secure  its  location  through  their  town.  Del.  Mar- 
tin, C.  R.  Hume,  S.  J.  Hopper  and  others  worked  hard  to  this 
end.  Although  it  was  a  number  of  years  from  the  commence- 
ment of  its  agitation  until  finally  completed,  its  friends  never 
ceased  their  labors  or  seemed  to  weary ;  they  entered  upon  the 
work  with  a  determination  to  succeed  in  their  efforts,  and  succeed 
they  did.  The  town  itself  raised  forty-five  thousand  dollars  for 
the  purpose. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  639 

The  building  of  the  road  was  the  salvation  of  Blandinsville. 
A  new  life  and  spirit  seemed  to  animate  her  citizens,  and  im- 
provements began  to  be  made  upon  every  hand.  Fine  stone 
buildings  were  erected,  new  dwelling  houses  sprang  up,  old  ones 
were  repaired  and  otherwise  improved.  The  slow-going  manner 
of  doing  business  gave  way  to  the  Young  America  mode,  all  of 
which  has  redounded  to  the  advantage  of  the  place.  A  compari- 
son of  the  little,  one-horse  stores  of  the  early  day  with  the  mam- 
moth establishment  of  Dines  Brothers,  will  show  the  great 
improvements  made.  The  trade  of  the  place  to-day,  exclusive  of 
grain  and  stock,  will  amount  to  $500,000  per  year. 

With  respect  to  religious  privileges,  the  town  has  as  many  ad- 
vantages as  any  in  the  county,  there  being  large  congregations  of 
Baptists,  Christians,  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  each  of  whom  have  fair  church  buildings.  A  historical 
sketch  of  each  of  these  churches  is  given  in  the  religious  depart- 
ment of  this  work.  Attention  is  called  thereto. 

In  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  place  we  iind  repre- 
sented two  agricultural  implement  dealers,  one  baker  and  con- 
fectioner, one  bank,  three  barbers,  four  blacksmith  shops,  two 
book  and  stationery,  three  boots  and  shoes,  two  hats  and  caps, 
one  clothing,  one  jeweler,  two  dentists,  three  druggists,  five  dry 
goods,  two  furniture,  two  grain  dealers,  eight  groceries,  three 
hardware,  two  hotels,  one  justice  of  the  peace,  tour  lawyers,  two 
livery  and  feed  stables,  one  lumber  yard,  two  meat  markets,  two 
mills,  two  millinery  stores,  one  police  magistrate,  six  physicians, 
three  restaurants,  three  harness  shops,  one  tailor,  three  wagon 
shops,  four  churches,  three  secret  societies. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

1877. 

AGRICULTURAL  IMPLEMENT?. 

Clements,  W.  R..  north  Main  Street. 
Conwell  &  Edmonston,  south  Main  Street. 

BAKERS  AND  CONFECTIONERS. 

Foley,  J.  M.,  south^Main  Street. 

BANKERS 

McVey  &  Pancake,  Main  Street. 

BARBERS. 

Bond,  M.  M  .,  south  Main  Street. 
McFall,  S.,  south  Main  Street. 
Porter,  Daniel,  Main  Street. 


640  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


BLACKSMITHS. 


Hughes.  J.  M.,  one  block  east  of  Main  Street. 
Sanders  &  Sorter,  south  Main  Street. 


BOOKS   AND  STATIONERY. 

Fee,  J.  W.,  south  Main  Street. 
Goodnight,  T.  H.,  south  Main  Street. 

BOOTS,    SHOES,    HATS  AND  CA1>.<. 

Alexander,  David,  Main  Street. 

Hollebaugh  W.  H.,  manufacturer  boots  and  shoes,  north  Mam  Street. 

Land  &  Co.,  W.  B.,  Main  Street. 

CLOTHING. 

Terry,  M.  A.,  corner  Main  and  Harrison  Streets. 

CLOCKS,    WATCHES  AND  JEWELRY. 

Bennett,  L.  J.,  north  Main  Street. 

DENTISTS, 

Butler,  W,  O.,  north  Main  Street. 


DRUGGISTS. 


Emery  &  Ferman,  Main  Street. 
Pond,  A.  B.,  Main  Street. 
Huff,  F.  M.,  South  Main  Street. 


DRY   GOODS. 


Dines  Bros.,  corner  Main  and  Harrison. 
Gillam,  J.  &  J.  P.,  South  Main  Street. 
Hoffman,  J.  R.,  South  Main  Street. 
McCord,  W.  H.,  corner  Main  and  Jackson. 
Pancake.  S.  M.  &  Co.,  South  Main  Street. 


FURNITURE. 


Spielman  Brothers.  North  Main  Street. 
Wilson,  A.,  South  Main  Street. 

GRAIN  DEALERS 

Grigsby.,  W.  H. 
Gamage,  D.  C. 

GROCERIES. 

Coffman,  J.  M.  &  Bro.,  Main  Street,  opposite  Bank. 

Dines  Bros.,  corner  Main  and  Harrison. 

Gillam,  J.  &  J.  P.,  South  Main  Street. 

Griffith,  H.  C.,  North  Main  Street. 

McCord,  W.  H.,  Main  and  Jackson.. 

Pancake  S.  M.  &  Co.,  South  Main  Street. 

O.  M.  Scoville,  5,  Main  Street. 

HARDWARE,   STOVES   AND  TINWARE. 

Con  well  &  Edmonson,  South  Main  Street. 
Hume,  R.  W.,  one  door  south  of  Bank. 
Thompson,  N.,  South  Main  Street. 


Edel  House,  northeast  corner  of  the  square  ;  Joseph  Edel,  Proprietor, 
Central  House,  Main  Street ;  Frank  Kellogg,  Proprietor. 

JUSTICE  OF  THE  PEACE. 

Gillihan,  W.  W. 

LAWYERS. 

Fuhr,  George  S.,  Duncan  Block. 
Hume,  Charles  R.,  South  Main  Street. 
Ralston,  D.  R.,  South  Main  Street. 
Ward,  James  R,, 

LIVERY  AND  FEED  STABLES. 

Carmack  &  Murray,  S.  Main  street. 
A.  Kellogg,  S.  Main  street. 

LUMBER,   LIME,   CEMENT,  ETC. 

Thomas  Marsden,  S.  Main  street. 

MEAT  MARKETS. 

J.  T.  Campbell.  N.  Main  street. 
W.  R.  Skinner,  S.  Main  street. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  641 


MILLERS. 

Depot  Mills,  W.  G.  Grig>by,  proprietor,  opposite  depot. 
Hopper  &  Meets,  two  blocks  west  of  depot. 

MILLINERY   STORES. 

Miss  E.  L.  Foley,  Main  street. 
Helen  A.  Palmer,  S.  Main  street. 

riark  &  Gamble,  S.  Main  street. 
.1.  II.  Emery,  S.  Main  street. 
R.  D.  Hammond.  Main  street. 
S.  Thompson,  S.  Main  street. 
Huston,  \V.  M.,  Jackson  Street. 

POLICE  MAGISTRATE. 

Hume,  Charles  R.  S.,  Main  Street. 


RE3TAURANT>. 

J.  M..  P.  Main  Street. 

N.  Main  Sereet. 
Jones,  E.  R.,  S.  Main  Street. 

SADDLES  AND  HARNESS. 

Myers,  J.  M.,  S.  Main  Street. 
Conway,  B..  N.  Main  Street. 
Fowler/John  W.,  X.  Main  Street. 

STATION     AGENT. 

Butler,  G.  W..  Agent  T.,  P.  &  W.  R.  R.  and  U.  S.  Ex.  Co. 

TAILORS. 

Mason,  H.  N.,  S.  Main  Street. 

WAGON,  CARRIAGE  AND   BLACKSMITH^ 

Gist  &  Epperson,  Mam  and  Harrison  Streets. 
Keithly  &  Phillips,  north  Main  Street. 
Banden  &  Sorter,  south  Main  Street. 

CHURCHES. 

Baptist  Church,  Maple  Street,  one  block  south  Square  . 

Christian  Church,  Harrison  Street,  west  of  Mam  Street;  T.  H.  Good  rich  •  ™stor 
M   E  Church,  Jackson  Street,  west  of  Mam  ;  G.  B.  Snedaker  and  W.  B.  Alexander,  pastors. 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  Church,  Harrison  Street,  one  block  east  of  Mam  ;  Isaac  Valentine, 
pastor. 

SOCIETIES. 

New  Hope  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  263;  hall,  over  Huffs  ;  drug  store  ;  James  Ray,  N.  G. 
Blandinsville  Encampment  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  -  ;  W.  R.  Skinner,  C.  P. 
Hardin  Lodge,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  25;  John  W.  Fowler.  M   \\. 


642  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XLIL 

INDUSTRY — DODDSVILLE — MIDDLETOWN. 

In  1846,  Johnson  Downen,  Esq.,  living  on  southeast  quarter  ot 
section  15,  5  north,  1  west,  Industry  township,  made  a  proposition 
to  John  M.  Price,  a  young  blacksmith,  to  give  him  an  acre  of 
ground,  and  the  neighbors  of  Mr.  D.  offered  to  erect  for  him  a 
shop,  if  he  would  settle  there  and  follow  his  trade.  This  offer  Mr. 
Price  accepted  and  a  shop  was  erected  for  him  which  he  oc- 
cupied for  many  years.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  present 
village  of  Industry,  but  at  the  time  no  thought  was  experienced 
of  a  town  being  there  located.  A  postoffice  had  been  located  in 
the  neighborhood  for  many  years  in  charge  of  Joel  Pennington, 
Esq.,  an  old  pioneer  of  the  county,  who  kept  the  office  at  his  resi- 
dence. When  Mr.  Price  settled  here  the  country  around  was  in 
a  wild  and  uncultivated  state,  save  a  farm  here  and  there,  the 
greater  number  of  which  were  located  east  and  southeast  of  the 
present  town,  around  the  old  Carter  settlement.  He  has  informed 
us  he  has  stood  in  his  door  and  shot  wild  turkeys,  and  from  his 
yard  killed  deer,  squirrels,  and  other  wild  game.  He  remembers 
killing  a  wolf  where  the  saw  mill  on  Main  street  now  stands;  and 
again,  when  the  mill  was  located  about  the  centre  of  the  street 
opposite  Vance's  Hotel,  upon  one  occasion,  a  half  grown  deer  in 
its  fright  ran  into  the  mill  and  was  knocked  in  the  head  with  an  ax. 

In  1860,  Cleon  and  Desa  Eeddick  came  to  the  place  and  started 
a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store,  the  first  in  the  place.  This  busi- 
ness they  continued  for  two  years,  when  J.  M.  Price  purchased 
the  stock  and  continued  the  business.  These  gentlemen  were  the 
first  to  settle  here  after  Mr.  Price.  ISText  came  Dr.  Duncan,  so 
well  and  favorably  known  through  the  south  part  of  the  county. 
He  was  the  first  physician  in  the  place,  and  for  some  years  the 
only  one;  and  there  probably  is  not  a  family  in  the  whole  town- 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  643 

ship  but  has  had  his  professional  service.  Dr.  Duncan  departed 
this  life  'in  the  Spring  of  1877,  his  loss  being  deeply  felt  by  the 
whole  neighborhood. 

The  first  survey  was  in  October,  1855,  six  blocks  being  laid  off 
by  William  H.  Rile,  County  Surveyor.  In  1858  four  additions 
were  made  to  the  town,  viz. :  Eastern,  western,  southern  and 
northern;  and  again,  in  1867,  Downen's  addition  was  surveyed. 
The  place  was  given  its  name  by  J.  M.  Price  and  Cleon  Reddick. 
A  nickname  had  been  given  it  some  time  previous  by  Springer, 
who  had  called  it  Pinhook,  for  what  reason  is  not  known  by  even 
the  oldest  inhabitant. 

The  town  has  been  of  slow  but  steady  growth,  it  having  none 
of  the  advantages  of  railroad  towns  of  the  present  day.  During 
the  last  three  years  more  improvements  have  been  made  in  it  than 
during  the  same  length  of  time  in  its  history,  the  improvements 
being  of  a  permanent  character.  It  is  hoped  these  will  continue. 

Notwithstanding  the  place  was  laid  out  in  1855,  it  was  not  in- 
corporated until  1867,  wrhen  it  was  organized  under  a  special 
charter,  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  town 
occurring  the  evening  of  May  16,  1867.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  those  comprising  the  first  Board  :  "William  Sullivan, 
President;  Daniel  Carroll,  John  Shannon,  D.  M.  Creel  and  B.  F. 
Botchlet.  This  organization  of  the  place  was  continued  until 
1873,  when  it  was  re-organized  on  the  24th  of  January,  under  the 
general  law,  as  a  village,with  the  following  named  Trustees:  John 
McKinney,  President ;  J.  F.  Mosser,  John  W.  Flack,  J.  D.  Goble 
and  John  D.  Merrick. 

The  village  has  always  been  a  moral  and  religious  one,  and  has 
never,  since  its  organization  in  1867,  granted  license  for  the  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquors. 

The  public  schools  of  the  place  have  kept  pace  with  those  of 
other  towns.  The  village  has  a  large  school  building  situated  on 
Main  street,  and  from  seven  to  eight  months  in  the  year  a  free 
school  is  held  therein.  Good  teachers  have  usually  been  em- 
ployed, at  salaries  ranging  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  dollars  per 
month.  Prof.  H.  M.  Towner  was  employed  as  principal  during 
the  school  year  of  1876  and  '77.  Perfect  satisfaction  was  ren- 
dered by  this  gentleman  to  the  patrons  of  the  school.  Prof. 
Thomas  Odenweller  is  engaged  for  the  season  of  1877-'78. 

Three  church  buildings  are  in  the  place,  and  divine  services  are 
held  iu  each.  The  denominations  represented  are  Christian, 


644  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Episcopal.  Sketches  of 
each  of  their  organizations  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Eev.  J.  L.  Towner,  pastor  of  the  Christian  Church,  has  held  that 
relation  a  longer  period  than  either  of  the  others.  His  ministra- 
tions have  been  very  acceptable  to  the  people. 

In  manufactories  the  village  has  not  much  to  boast,  and  until  a 
railroad  is  secured  will  probably  never  do  much  in  this  respect. 
A  flouring  mill,  which  supplies  the  people  with  an  excellent  quality 
of  flour,  a  saw  mill  and  a  wagon  shop  are  the  only  representatives 
of  this  branch  of  industry  in  the  place. 

The  village  is  twelve  miles  from  any  railroad  station,  and  four 
towns  with  railroad  depots  are  situated  that  distance  from  it,  viz.: 
Macomb,  Table  Grove,  Vermont  and  Adair.  These  facts  serve  as 
a  drawback  to  the  prosperity  of  the  place,  but,  as  before  remarked, 
the  town  prospers  nevertheless.  Among  her  business  men  are 
several  that  are  alive  to  her  interests,  and  who  work  to  that  end. 
The  population  of  the  town  is  at  present  about  five  hundred. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  occupy  the  position  of  Trustees 
of  the  village  at  the  present  writing:  J.  "W.  Leach,  President; 
John  McKinney,  Simon  Gustine,  P.  B.  Cordell,  John  A.  Sullivan, 
J.  H.  R,  Clayton. 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  number  and  various  kinds 
of  business  firms  :  Agricultural  implement  dealer,  one;  blacksmith, 
one;  boot  and  shoe-makers,  two;  barber  shop,  one;  restaurant, 
one;  carpenters,  three;  drug  stores,  two;  general  merchandise,  two; 
groceries,  three;  hotels,  one;  saddle  and  harness  shop,  one;  hard- 
ware stores,  two;  insurance  companies,  one;  meat  markets,  two; 
mills,  two;  millinery  and  dressmaking  one;  millinery  and  notions, 
one:  painters,  one;  photographers,  two;  physicians,  three;  wagon 
makers,  two;  societies,  three. 

BUSINESS   DIRECTORY. 

AGRICULTURAL    IMPLEMENTS. 

J.  W.  Leach,  Hickory  street. 

BLACKSMITH. 

Caleb  Hathaway,  Sullivan  street. 

BOOT  AND    SHOEMAKERS. 

B.  F.  Blotehett,  Main  street. 
John  McKinney,  Sullivan  street. 

CONFECTIONERY,    RESTAURANT  AND  BARBER  SHOP. 

J.  R.  Patterson,  Main  street. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  645 


CARPENTERS. 

J.  8  Baymiller&  Bro.,  Sullivan  street. 
James  Kee,  Hickory  street. 
James  Laughliu,  Main  street. 

DRUGS. 

Hyatt  Bros..  Main  Street. 
Kyle,  Joseph  B.,  Main  Street. 

GENERAL    MERCHANDISE. 

Merrick,  J.  T.,  Main  Street. 
Mos^er.  J.  F..  Main  Street. 

GROCERIES. 

Cordell,  J.  W..  Main  Street. 
Green  well,  Charles.  Main  Street. 
Sheesley  &  Butcher,  Main  Street. 

HOTEL. 

Vance  House,  Main  Street,  W.  R.  Vance,  proprietor. 

HARNESS   AND  SADDLERY, 

Bechtol,  U.,  Main  Street. 

HARDWARE. 

Cordell.  J.  W.,  Main  Street. 
Taylor  &  Son,  Main  Street. 

INSURANCE  COMPANIES. 

Industry  Mutual  Insurance  Company.    Henry  Black,  President;  W.  R.  Pennington.  Treasurer: 
John  Dowuen,  Secretary. 


MEAT    MARKETS. 


Greenwell,  Charles.  Main  Street. 
Penoiugton,  Benjamin,  Main  Street. 


Industry  Mills,  E.  Fish  &  Son. 

Saw  Mill,  Hyatt,  Snowden  &  Co.,  Main  Street. 

MILLINERY   AND    DRESS  MAKING. 

Keniper  &  Sullivan,  Mrs.,  Main  Street. 

MILLINERY    AND   NOTIONS. 

Kemper,  E.  B.,  Main  Street. 

NOTARY   PUBLIC. 

Cordell,  Presley,  with  J.  F.  Mosser. 

PAINTERS. 

Seward,  D.  A.,  Hickory  Street. 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 

Pittman,  George  N.,  Main  street. 
Robinson,  James  R.,  Main  street. 

POSTMASTER. 

Cordell,  J.  W. 


PHYSICIANS. 


Oeel,  D.  M.    Office  over  Kyles'  drug  store. 
Duncan,  Charles.    Office  at  residence. 
Shannon,  George.     Office  with  Hyatt  Bros. 


Kemper,  J.  M.,  Sullivan  Street. 
Black,  J.  T.  N.,  Main  street. 


WAGON   MAKERS. 


TOWN   OFFICERS. 


Vance,  W.  R  ,  Clerk.    Office  in  hotel. 

Downen,  John,  Police  Magistrate.    Office  over  Kyles'  drug  store. 
Flack,  John  W.,  Justice  of  the  Peace.    Office  over  Kyle's  drug  store. 
H — 41 


646  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES— SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT. 

Industry  Lodge  No.  271.    John  McKinney,  Secretary  ;  Douglas  Pennington,  N.  G. 

Industry  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  No.  327.    I.  N.  Beaver,  M. 

Industry  Grange  No.  58.    A.  J.  Vail,  Master ;  W.  S.  Pile,  Secretary. 

BAND. 
Industry  Cornet  Band,  H.  C.  Sullivan,  Leader. 

CHURCH  KS. 

Christian  Church.    Elder  J.  L.  Towner,  Pastor. 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DODDSVILLE. 

This  town  is  on  the  southern  line  of  the  county,  with  a  portion 
of  it  in  Schuyler  county.  It  was  laid  out  in  1836  by  Samuel 
Dodds.  That  portion  in  this  county  is  on  section  32,  Industry 
township.  In  the  town  are  two  good  churches — the  Presbyterian 
and  the  Methodists — W.  G.  Irwin,  dealer  in  dry  goods  and  groce- 
ries, also  Postmaster ;  J.  B.  Wheeler,  blacksmith  ;  J.  II.  Wheeler, 
wagon  maker ;  J.  W.  Donoley,  M.  D. 

MIDDLETOWN. 

(P.  O.  FANDON.) 

Under  the  head  of  "Early  Settlements,"  in  Chapter  viii,  will  be 
iound  notice  of  this  place;  therefore,  we  think  it  unnecessary  to 
say  more  in  this  connection.  The  following  comprises  a  list  of 
business  houses  represented  in  the  town  :  Minton  Hatfield,  gene- 
ral merchandise;  Robert  Jeffries,  drugs  and  groceries;  W.  W. 
Moore  and  J.  II.  Voorhces,  blacksmiths;  J.  M.  Mills,  D.  J.  Fu- 
gate  and  I.  N".  Wear,  physicians;  M.  Hatfield,  postmaster;  John 
Oriswold,  patentee. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  647 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

PRAIRIE  CITY. 

This  town  is  situated  on  a  beautiful  rolling:  prairie,  surrounded 
by  a  country  which,  in  fertility  of  soil,  is  not  surpassed  in  the 
State  of  Illinois.  The  whole  country  around  is  dotted  over  with 
some  ot  the  finest  and  best  improved  farms  in  the  county.  Prairie 
City  is  truly  a  city  of  the  prairie,  and  its  founders  could  not  have 
selected  a  more  beautiful  and  eligible  location,  or  a  name  more 
appropriate  for  the  town.  The  place  w^as  laid  out  on  the  pro- 
jected line  of  the  Xorthern  Cross,  now  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad,  in  1854,  by  Ezra  Cadwallader,  Anson  Smith, 
Ezra  D.  Smith  and  Edwin  Reed,  men  of  excellent  judgment  and 
more  than  ordinary  business  qualifications.  The  same  year 
Messrs.  Parker  &  Barnes,  of  Canton,  came  to  the  place,  and 
opened  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  first  in  a  farm  house  near 
town,  then  in  a  store  building  on  Main  street,  near  Smith,  which 
they  erected  for  this  purpose.  This  was  the  first  building  erected 
in  town,  and  Parker  <fc  Barnes  have  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to 
engage  in  business.  In  their  store-room  Rev.  Truman  Grigsby,  a 
Baptist  Minister,  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  town.  Rev. 
Samuel  Dilly,  a  Congregational  Minister,  was  next,  preaching  a 
short  time  thereafter  in  the  house  of  Ezra  Smith. 

The  town  is  laid  out  with  streets  running  east  and  west  and 
north  and  south.  The  original  town  only  comprised  forty  acres, 
and  lots  were  made  OGxl^O  feet.  Several  additions  have  since 
been  made  to  the  town,  and  it  now  covers  considerable  ground  ; 
but  the  principal  portion  of  it  is  located  on  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  one  of  Prairie  City  township,  being  the  extreme  north- 
eastern portion  of  the  county,  seventeen  miles  from  Macomb,  and 
one  hundred  and  eighty-six  from  Chicago. 


648  HISTORY  OF  M'DOKOUGH  COUNTY. 

In  1855,  a  frame  school  house  was  built,  in  size  about  20x30  feet, 
on  Clay  street.  The  following  year  the  Presbyterians  erected  a 
church  building,  being  the  first  in  the  town.  Ezra  Cadwallader 
erected  the  first  building  for  hotel  purposes — the  City  Hotel. 

In  1856,  Alonzo  Barnes,  James  R.  Parker  and  Joseph  Drake 
platted  the  first  southern  addition  to  the  town,  giving  a  lot  to  any 
one  who  would  build  a  house  thereon  costing  not  less  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  This  had  the  desired  effect,  inducing 
many  to  come  here  to  make  their  homes.  The  place  now  grew  so- 
rapidly  that  it  became  necessary  to  incorporate  as  a  town. 
Accordingly,  on  Saturday,  January  10,  1857,  a  public  meeting  was 
held  and  the  question  voted  for  or  against  incorporation.  Thirty- 
nine  votes  were  cast  for  and  five  against.  The  proposition  having 
been  carried,  an  election  was  held  on  Saturday,  January  24,  at  two 
o'clock  P.  M.,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  five  Trustees,  when  the 
following  gentlemen  were  elected :  David  Negley,  L.  H.  Brad- 
bury, J.  B.  Robinson,  George  Hettle  and  M.  T.  Hand.  A.  Fisher 
was  chosen  as  the  first  clerk  of  the  board.  A  few  days  there- 
after the  board  met  and  adopted  such  ordinances  as  were  thought 
for  the  best  interests  of  the  place. 

E"o  town  can  be  supposed  to  exist  without  a  newspaper,  so  in 
the  early  part  of  this  year,  one  was  issued  from  this  place.  As  an 
illustration  of  the  rapid  growth  of  the  town,  we  copy  the  follow- 
ing communication  which  appeared  in  the  Prairie  City  Chronicle 
under  date  April  23,  1857: 

uThe  rapidity  with  which  our  beautiful  village  has  grown  must 
astonish  tha  natives.  Notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  two  rival 
towns,  it  has  far  exceeded  the  expectations  of  its  most  sanguine 
founders.  Where  now  stands  the  Presbyterian  Church,  with  it& 
spire  pointing  heavenward,  the  school  house  by  its  side,  where  the 
growing  idea  may  learn  to  shoot;  the  large  and  commodious  edifice 
erected  and  occupied  by  Messrs.  Barnes  &  Fisher  and  L.  J.  Wash- 
burn,  near  the  railroad,  the  Cope  House,  arid  a  dozen  other  build- 
ings in  which  are  carried  on  a  general  mercantile  trade,  and 
dwelling  houses  scattered  over  nearly  a  quarter  section  of  land, 
with  a  family  in  every  seven  by  nine  room — I  say,  where  now 
stands  all  these,  three  years  ago  nothing  was  to  be  seen  but  the 
prairie  grass  waving  in  the  summer  breeze,  with  here  and  there  a 
lowing  herd,  as  they  enjoyed  the  luxuries  which  nature  had  pro- 
vided for  them." 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  649 

In  1859  there  was  inaugurated  an  institution  in  this  place  which 
spoke  well  for  the  early  settlers  of  the  town.  We  allude  to  the 
Prairie  City  Academy,  started  under  the  auspices  of  the  Free 
"Will  Baptist  Church.  For  several  years  the  institution  met  with 
good  success,  students  being  attracted  there  from  many  of  the  ad- 
joining counties,  and  a  bright  future  seemed  before  it,  but  for  some 
cause  dissatisfaction  arose  as  to  its  management,  and  the  town, 
which  had  a  half  interest  in  it,  withdrew  its  influence  and  sup- 
port, and  the  church  not  being  able  to  support  it  alone,  it  was  com- 
pelled to  suspend.  The  property  was  sold,  the  town  becoming 
the  purchaser,  and  it  is  now  used  for  the  purpose  of  a  public 
school. 

With  reference  to  the  public  schools  of  the  place,  the  citizens 
take  an  especial  pride,  and  not  without  cause.  From  the  revport 
of  the  superintendent  of  schools  of  the  town  we  gather  the  in- 
formation that  they  are  in  a  very  flourishing  condition,  the 
general  average  in  deportment,  attendance  and  study  being 
better  than  in  any  of  the  schools  with  which  we  are  ac- 
quainted. The  graded  system  was  adopted  a  few  years 
ago  and  has  worked  to  the  satisfaction  of  nearly  everyone.  There 
.are  three  school  buildings,  known  as  the  East,  West,  and  Academy 
schools.  In  these  schools  for  1876,  and  1877,  were  employed  seven 
teachers,  under  the  superintendency  of  Prof.  J.  EL  Graham,  an 
-experienced  and  efficient  instructor  and  director,  as  follows:  Sadie 
Hamilton,  Assistant;  Miss  E.  J.  Vose,  teacher  in  the  grammer 
school;  Miss  Nancy  Morgan,  intermediate;  Misses  Lou  Brink- 
meyer,  Julia  Barnes,  and  Addie  Durham,  primary.  So  far  as  we 
can  learn  all  give  good  satisfaction.  The  average  salary  paid 
these  teachers  is  $53  per  month.  Average  number  of  pupils  in 
attendance  is  330.  The  following  named  gentlemen  compose  the 
present  Board  of  School  Directors :  B.  F.  Bradbury,  J.  A.  Ham- 
ilton, and  A.  T.  Irwin. 

There  are  flve  denominations  ot  Christians  having  organizations 
in  this  village,  viz  :  Presbyterians,  Missionary  Baptists,  Free  Will 
Baptists,  Congregatioualists,  and  Methodists.  Each  of  these  have 
good  comfortable  church  edifices.  Taking  into  consideration  the 
number  and  excellent  quality  of  the  schools,  and  the  number  of 
churches,with  large  and  efficient  memberships,  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered that  Prairie  City  is  a  moral  and  religious  town,  and  that 
temperance  generally  prevails.  License  has  only  occasionally  been 
granted  by  some  of  the  Town  Boards  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating 


650  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGII  COUNTY. 

liquors.  In  the  early  part  of  1874,  a  saloon  was  opened  by  a  Mr. 
Oolwell,  the  result  of  which  was  evil,  so  much  so  as  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  noble-hearted  women  of  the  town,  and  they  de- 
termined, if  possible  to  avert  the  danger  ere  it  was  too  late  ;  ac- 
cordingly they  presented  the  following  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  at 
a  special  meeting  held  March  6,  1877,  which  had  the  desired  ef- 
fect : 

"  We,  the  women  of  Prairie  City,  respectfully  inquire  whether 
if  Mr.  Colwell  now  ceases  to  retail  intoxicating  drinks  in  Prairie 
City,  you  will  return  to  him  such  part  of  the  money  he  paid  on 
his  present  license  as  will  be  the  proportion  for  the  time  from 
which  he  ceases  until  the  close  of  his  term  of  license  ?  "We  regret 
exceedingly  the  necessity  of  our  seeming  in  any  way  to  interfere 
with  the  management  of  civil  affairs  in  our  village,  but  our  hearts 
have  been  pained  for  months  by  the  result  of  the  liquor  traffic  to 
the  unfortunate  victims  of  intemperance  and  their  defenseless 
families.  The  time  has  come,  in  our  judgment,  when  it  should 
cease — must  cease." 

Thus  the  efforts  of  a  few  resolute  women,  in  their  weakness 
accomplished  what  man,  in  his  boasted  strength,  could  not  do. 

The  old  cemetery  one-half  mile  north  of  town  was  used  as  a 
final  resting  place  for  the  dead  but  a  few  yea~s,  when,  becoming 
too  small,  and  no  land  adjacent  could  be  purchased,  it  was 
thought  best  to  purchase  a  larger  tract,  and  therefore  a  five-acre 
lot  was  purchased. one  mile  northwest  of  town,  and  is  now  known 
as  the  new  cemetery. 

On  the  seventeenth  day  of  December,  1873,  a  vote  was  taken 
for  or  against  organizing  as  a  village,  uhder  the  general  law  of  the 
State,  resulting  in  its  almost  unanimous  adoption,  only  four  votes 
being  polled  against  it.  Under  this  law  the  village  Trustees  have 
greater  power  than  is  bestowed  upon  the  town  Trustees  under  the 
old  organization.  The  first  annual  election  for  village  Trustees 
occurred  Tuesday,  April  21,  1874,  the  following  named  gentlemen 
being  elected  as  members  of  the  board :  T.  L.  Magee,  president; 
A.  T.  Irwin,  A.  Burr,  J.  Alex.  Hamilton,  J.  S.  Alexander  and 
John  T.  Davis;  clerk,  R.  D.  Stevens. 

The  first  resolution  passed  by  the  board  was  in  favorance.  and 
the  first  ordinance  was  upon  the  same  subject.  The  following 
named  persons  have  since  been  elected  members  of  the  board  of 
trustees:  1875 — J.  E.  Dunham,  president;  A.  T.  Irwin,  J.  F.  Davis, 


HISTORY   OF    M'DONOUGH    COUNTY.  651 

J.  Alex.  Hamilton,  B.  F.  Bradbury,  and  A  Lanpliere.  1876— T. 
L.  Magee,  president;  A.  T.  Irwin,  J.  H.  Wilson,  J.  S.  Alexander, 
J.  F.  Davis,  and  W.  J.  Randolph.  C.  W.  Taylor  is  the  present 
village  clerk. 

Prairie  City  has  seldom  been  without  its  weekly  paper.  In 
April,  1857,  B.  W.  Seaton  began  the  first  publication  of  the  Prai- 
rie City  Chronicle,  which  continued  about  one  year,  when  it  was 
merged  into  the  Prairie  Chief,  and  published  in  the  interests  of 
the  Good  Templars.  This  sheet  was  continued  but  a  short  time. 
The  next  was  the  Prairie  Chicken,  a  small  seven  by  nine  sheet, 
which  soon  took  its  flight  to  other  regions.  In  1869,  the  Prairie 
City  Herald  was  established  by  Chas.  "VV.  Taylor.  This  paper 
has  obtained  a  national  reputation — its  short,  pungent  editorials 
being  copied  in  almost  every  sheet  throughout  the  Union. 

As  showing  the  amount  of  business  transacted  by  the  railroad 
company,  from  figures  furnished  by  Hon.  AV\  McCredie,  Freight 
Auditor  of  the  road,  we  glean  the  following :  For  the  past  five 
years  there  were  shipped  an  average  each  year  of  corn,  205  cars; 
oats,  29  ;  rye,  35  ;  cattle,  43  ;  hogs,  80  ;  flour,  2  ;  other  freight,  96. 
Received  during  the  same  time,  per  year:  lumber,  84  cars;  agri- 
cultural implements,  4;  merchandise,  107;  other  freights,  24.  A 
total  of  449  shipped  and  218  received. 

A  better  class  of  dwelling  houses  are  shown  in  this  town  than 
in  many  of  its  size  in  the  country,  while  the  business  houses  are 
good,  but  none  of  any  special  pretensions.  There  are  several 
business  firms  in  the  village  worthy  of  a  special  notice,  among 
which  we  may  mention  the  following : 

Alonzo  Barnes. — This  gentleman,  in  company  with  Major  Par- 
ker, as  we  have  before  remarked,  was  the  first  to  open  a  stock  of 
merchandise  in  the  place,  as  early  as  1854,  nearly  two  years  before 
the  completion  of  the  railroad  ;  and  from  that  time  to  the  present 
has  never  been  out  of  the  mercantile  trade.  Major  Parker  re- 
mained but  a  short  time,  when  he  withdrew,  Mr.  Barnes  continu- 
ing the  store  until  1869,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest,  and  at 
once  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade,  which  business  he  yet  fol- 
lows, having  a  large  and  profitable  trade.  His  place  of  business 
is  on  the  corner  of  Smith  and  Main  streets,  and  his  main  salesroom 
is  crowded  with  everything  pertaining  to  the  hardware  trade. 
Especial  attention  is  given  to  heating  and  cooking  stoves,  and  the 
best  manufactures  in  the  country  are  represented.  In  builders'" 
hardware  he  carries  as  fine  an  assortment  as  can  be  found  in  the 


652 

county.  lie  is  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tin  and  sheet 
iron  ware,  and  will  do  job  work  in  this  line  as  low  as  can  be  done 
in  the  county,  and  wa'rrant  all  work.  In  an  adjoining  room  he 
carries  a  tine  line  of  furniture,  which  should  be  examined  before 
purchasing. 

W.  F.  Taylor  is  one  of  Prairie  City's  most  enterprising  young 
men.  Wilbur  came  to  this  place  in  1867,  and  opened  a  small 
stock  of  books  and  stationery  in  a  room  on  Main  street,  and,  like 
thousands  of  others,  had  a  hard  time  in  establishing  a  trade.  But 
pluck  and  determination  will  accomplish  wonders,  and  we  there- 
tore  see  Wilbur,  after  a  lapse  of  ten  years,  enjoying  a  satisfactory 
trade,  which  increases  year  by  year.  His  stock  comprises  every 
article  usually  found  in  a  book  and  notion  house  suitable  for  the 
wants  and  desires  of  the  people  of  this  neighborhood.  Wilbur 
deserves  success,  and  should  have  it. 

Andrew  Burr. — This  gentleman  came  to  Prairie  City  in  its 
infancy,  and  soon  thereafter  engaged  in  mercantile  trade,  and  ever 
since  has  been  one  of  her  leading  business  men — one  who  stands 
high  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  the  town  and  coun- 
try surrounding.  In  his  store,  on  Washington  street,  near  the 
depot,  may  be  found  a  full  line  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries, 
builders'  hardware,  paints  and  oils.  He  also  deals  extensively  in 
lumber,  a  good  stock  of  which  he  always  has  in  his  yard  near  his 
store,  and  at  prices  as  low  as  can  be  obtained  elsewhere  in  the 
county.  That  he  may  continue  to  enjoy  success  in  trade  is  the 
desire  of  all  his  many  friends. 

S.  P.  Tobie. — Sixteen  years  a.go  this  gentleman  opened  in  the 
jewelry  business  in  this  city,  and  has  since  met  with  good  success. 
In  his  store  room  on  Main  street  may  be  found  a  full  line  of  the 
latest  styles  of  jewelry,  silverware,  and  all  brands  of  the  cele- 
brated American  watches.  As  a  workman  Mr.  Tobie  is  A  No.  1, 
and  all  work  entrusted  to  his  care  will  be  done  to  the  satisfaction 
of  his  patrons,  and  guaranteed  in  every  respect.  Besides  his  jew- 
elry stock  may  be  found  here  a  fine  line  of  the  celebrated  Reming- 
ton breech-loading  shot  guns,  revolvers,  and  cartridges.  In  this 
line  Mr.  T.  undoubtedly  carries  the  best  assortment  in  the  county. 

J.  A.  Hamilton.— Mr.  H.  came  to  this  place  in  1855,  and  com- 
menced business  as  a  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  continuing  the 
same  for  ten  years.  He  was  the  first  to  engage  in  this  line  of 
trade  in  the  town.  In  1865  he  purchased  a  stock  of  clothing  and 
gents'  furnishing  goods,  since  which  time  he  has  continued  in 


653 

this  trade,  together  with  that  ot  furniture  and  musical  instru- 
ments. He  has  at  all  times  a  good  assortment  of  all  kinds  of 
goods  in  his  line,  and,  together  with  his  salesman,  will  endeavor 
to  please  all  who  favor  him  with  their  patronage.  You  can't 
find  a  better  place  at  which  to  trade. 

B.  F.  Bradbury. — Is  the  proprietor  of  the  leading  dry  goods 
and  grocery  houses  of  this  village,  and  one  well  worthy  the  liber- 
al patronage  he  has  so  long  enjoyed,  and  the  confidence  and  re- 
spect of  his  fellow  citizens,  not  only  in  the  town  but  in  the  sur- 
rounding country.  One  of  the  first  to  engage  in  the  mercantile 
trade  here  was  L.  II.  Bradbury,  the  father  of  the  present  propri- 
etor, who  soon  after  received  as  a  partner  his  sou,  and  the  firm  was 
long  known  as  L.  II.  Bradbury  &  Son.  In  1874,  the  senior  Brad- 
bury retired,  leaving  the  business  in  the  hands  of  its  present  owner, 
who  will  doubtless  continue  the  same  for  many  years.  Mr. 
B.  has  a  large  and  commodious  store  room  on  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Washington  streets  where  may  be  found  a  large  and  well  se- 
lected stock  of  dry  goods,  notions,  boots,  shoes,  hats,  caps,  staple 
and  fancy  groceries,  glass  and  queeusware,  etc.,  etc.  Mr.  B's.  long 
business  experience  enables  him  to  buy  goods  at  bottom  figures, 
which,  together  with  his  judgment  in  selecting  the  best  quality 
and  the  latest  styles  of  goods,  enables  him  to  offer  his  trade  su- 
perior inducements.  "A  liberal  man  deviseth  liberal  things,"  says 
the  wise  man  of  old,  and  believing  in  the  truth  of  the  maxim,  we 
have  no  hesitancy  in  recommending  this  gentleman  to  all  our 
readers  as  a  representative  man  of  his  town. 

BUSINESS    DIRECTORY. 

1877. 

BAKER. 

Trumphy,  Henry,  north  side  of  Main,  near  depot. 

BANK. 

First  National  Bank,  south  side  of  Main. 

BARBERS. 

Humphrey,  David,  \Vashingrton  Street,  near  Main. 
Young,  S,  y.,  south  side  of  Main,  near  Smith. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

Bivens  <t  Taft,  Main,  near  Center. 
Robertson,  H.,  Main,  near  Centre. 
Steach.  H.  S.,  Main,  near  Centre. 
Sieach,  R.  R.,  Main,  near  Ohio. 

BOOKS   AND  STATIONERY. 

Taylor  Bros.,  north  side  of  Main,  near  Smith. 


654  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY 


ROOT  AND  SHOEMAKERS. 

Gebuardt,  Henry,  soulh  side  of  Main. 

Hose,  James  A.,  south  side  of  Main,  near  Ohio. 

Dean,  C.  A..  Main. 

BROOM   MAKER. 

Vinning,  J.  B.,  Main,  near  railroad. 

CABINET  MAKERS. 

David,  S.,  east  side  of  Smith,  near  Washington. 
Risley,  Michael. 

CARPENTER. 

Phillips,  A.,  west  side  of  Washington. 

CLOTHING. 

Davis,  J.  F.,  south  side  of  Main,  near  Washington. 
Hamilton,  J.  A.,  south  side  of  Main,  near  Washington. 

DRESS  MAKERS. 

Burt,  Mrs.  Mary,  east  side  of  Washington,  near  Main. 
Foresman,  Mrs.  E.  B.,  north  side  of  Main,  near  Smith. 

DRUGGISTS. 

Brinkerhoff,  E.  L.  M.,  Main  Street. 
Krieder,  W.  L.  &  Co.,  Main  Street. 

DRY  GOODS,   BOOTS,    SHOES   AND   NOTIONS 

Bradbury.  B.  F.,  corner  of  Main  nnd  Washington  Streets. 
Mead,  A.,  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Washington  Streets. 

FURNITURE. 

Barnes,  Alonzo,  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Smith  Streets. 
Hamilton,  J.  A.,  south  side  of  Main  near  Washington. 

GROCERIES. 

Bradbury,  B.  F.,  corner  of  Main  and  Washington  Streets. 
Burr,  A.,  Washington  Street  near  the  depot. 
Harrah,  C.  A.,  Main  Street  near  the  railroad. 
White,  E.,  corner  of  Main  and  Washington  Streets. 
Lyons,  F.  C.,  south  side  of  Main  Street  near  the  railroad. 

GUN  DEALER. 

Tobie,  S.  P.,  south  side  of  Main  near  Smith  Street. 

HARDWARE. 

Barnes,  Alonzo,  corner  of  Main  and  Smith  Streets. 
Burr,  A.,  Washington  Street  near  the  depot. 

HOTELS. 

City  Hotel,  C.  Hcminover,  proprieter,  Washington  near  Main  Street. 

JEWELRY,   CLOCKS  AND  WATCHES. 

Tobie,  S.  P.,  Main  near  Smith  Street. 
Wagoner,  A.  H.,  Washington  near  Main  Street. 


Boynton,  E.  A.,  south  side  of  Main  near  Washington  Street. 
Sanford,  H.  C.,  Washington  Street. 

LIVERY  STABLES. 

Combs,  Robert,  Washington  Street. 
Everly,  George  V.,  City  Hotel. 


Burr,  A.,  Washington  Street,  near  depot. 
Keudrick,  T.  L. ,  Washington  Street,  near  depot. 

MEAT  MARKET. 

White,  E.,  corner  East  Main  and  Washington  Street. 


Central  Mills,  J.  B.  Fast,  corner  Main  and  Center  Streets. 
Kag'e  Mills,  Joshua  Larkins,  Washington  Street,  near  depot. 
Prairie  City  Mills,  John  E.  Dunham. 


655 


MILLINERY  AND  DRESS   MAKING. 

Chapin,  Miss  N.  C.,  north  side  Main  Street,  near  Smith. 
Hoyt,  Mrs.  A.  R.  north  side  Main  Street. 
Pippit,  Mrs.  J.,  south  side  Main  Street,  near  .railroad. 
Hobart,  Mrs.,  south  side  Main  Street,  near  Smith. 

PHOTOGRAPHER. 

Durham  Susan,  Mrs.,  north  side  Main  Street,  near  Smith. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Krieder,  W.  L.,  Main  Street. 

Magee,  T.  L.,  south  side  Main  Street,  near  Washington. 

Westfall,  A.  M.,  Main  and  Washington  Street. 

Vose,  Julia  Mrs.,  north  side  Main  Street. 

POSTMASTER. 

Smith,  Ezra  D.,  corner  Main  and  Smith  Streets. 

PAPERS   AND  PRINTERS. 

"Prairie  City  Herald,"  H.  B.  Taylor,  Editor,  office  corner  Main  and  Smith  Streets. 

RESTAURANTS. 

(Hark,  Thomas.  Washington  Street,  near  Main. 
Foster,  Z.  A.,  Main  Street. 

SADDLE   AND  HARNESS  MAKERS. 

Magee,  A.,  south  side  M-iin  Street,  near  Smith. 
McCartney,  E.  C..  north  side  Main  Street,  near  Smith. 

STATION   AGENT. 

Irwin,  A.  T.,  also  Express  Agent. 

TAILORS. 

Byerly,  John,  Washington  Street. 

WAGON   MAKERS. 

Steach,  George  C.,  Main  Street  near  Center. 

Woodmansee,  F.  A.,  (also  carriage),  corner  of  Main  and  Ohio. 

Bivens,  Thomas  E..  Main  Street. 


656  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

BUSHNELL. 

The  thriving  city  of  Bushnell  is  most  beautifully  situated,  and 
surrounded  by  the  finest  country  in  the  Military  Tract.  In  1854, 
before  the  completion^  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Kail- 
road,  John  D.  Hail,  of  Macomb,  sold  a  two-third  interest  in  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  33,  7  n.,  1  w.,  to  D.  P.  Wells  and 
Iversori  L.  Twyman,  also  of  the  city  of  Macomb,  and  the  three 
together  determined  on  the  establishment  of  a  town  on  that  site. 
William  II.  Rile,  Esq.,  then  County  Surveyor,  under  the  direction 
of  Messrs.  Hail,  Twyman  and  Wells,  laid  off  the  town,  running 
the  streets  parallel  with  the  railroad,  which  had  then  been  graded 
through  the  proposed  site,  and  which  extended  across  the  quarter, 
entering  thirty-five  chains  south  oi  the  southwest  corner,  and 
passing  out  the  same  number  of  chains  north  of  the  northeast 
quarter.  The  quarter  was  divided  into  forty-eight  blocks  of 
twelve  lots  each,  the  blocks  being  360  feet  square.  Two  streets, 
running  parallel  with  the  railroad,  one  on  either  side,  were  made 
seventy  feet  wide,  and  all  others  sixty. 

The  first  public  sale  of  lots  was  made  in  May,  1854.  About 
seventy  lots  were  sold,  realizing  about  §6,000,  the  prices  varying 
from  $30  to  $120  each. 

The  town  was  named  in  honor  of  Hon.  N.  Bushnell,  at  that 
time  President  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad,  the  name  by 
which  the  present  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  was 
then  known. 

When  the  town  was  laid  out  there  was  nothing  on  its  proposed 
site  but  a  large  "wolf  pole,"  a  pole  erected  on  the  highest  emi- 
nence in  the  neighborhood  where  it  could  be  seen  by  the  parties 
engaging  in  the  wolf  hunt  and  to  which  all  would  tend,  meeting 


657 

in  one  common  center.  The  nearest  house  was  Hiram  Markham'e, 
three  miles  west.  For  miles  around  not  a  rod  of  land  was  en- 
closed by  a  fence,  and  not  a  road  was  located  in  the  neighborhood. 
The  country  was  just  as  wild  as  when  created  by  the  Author  of 
the  Universe,  and  upon  the  trackless  prairies  there  was  as  much 
danger  of  being  lost  as  in  a  dense  forest.  In  1855,  John  Hen- 
drickson,  at  present  station  agent  at  Bardolph,  then  a  young  man 
of  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  age,  became  lost  on  the  prairie 
between  the  present  site  of  the  towns  of  Prairie  City  and  Bush- 
nell.  He  became  so  bewildered  as  night  came  on,  that  he  could 
not  tell  the  direction  in  which  he  was  going,  and  wandered  around 
in  a  circle.  Xot  returning  at  night,  his  father  organized  a  party 
to  search  for  him,  and  with  lanterns  and  guns  they  started  out. 
The  dismal  howl  of  the  prairie  wolf  could  be  heard  upon  every 
hand  and  the  heart  of  the  young  man  became  faint,  indeed,  as  the 
hours  wore  on.  He  was  afraid  to  cry  out,  for  fear  of  starting  the 
wolves,  but  the  party  in  his  search  had  no  such  fears,  and  ever 
and  anon  they  would  call  out  his  name.  Finally,  he  heard  the 
call  and  faintly  answered.  Soon  the  party  closed  around  him, 
and  the  lost  was  found,  and  glad  enough  he  was  to  be  rescued. 
He  now  thinks  the  click  of  the  telegraph  instrument  is  music  far 
preferable  to  the  howl  of  the  prairie  wolf,  especially  as  it  sounded 
on  his  ears  about  twenty  years  ago. 

Twyman,  Wells  &  Hail  erected  the  first  business  house,  which 
they  sold  to  Hiram  Markham,  who  brought  the  first  stock  of  mer- 
chandise to  the  town.  The  stock  was  not  very  large,  but  it 
answered  the  wants  of  the  people  at  that  day. 

William  Cord,  Hiram  Markham,  and  William  Yickers  were  the 
first  to  erect  dwelling  houses  in  the  place.  John  Crawford  com- 
menced the  erection  of  the  first  hotel,  but  before  completion  sold 
it  to  John  D.  Hail,  who,  in  the  summer  of  1855,  completed  the 
same  and  opened  it  for  the  accommodation  of  the  traveling 
public. 

The  growth  of  the  town  was  not  very  rapid  the  first  year,  the 
railroad  not  being  completed  and  the  people  not  accustomed  to 
push  things  through  with  lightning  speed.  But  in  the  second 
year,  as  the  sound  of  the  locomotive's  whistle  could  be  heard  in 
the  distance,  they  began  to  pour  in,  and  by  the  time  the  merry 
call  of  the  conductor,  "all  aboard,"  was  heard  the  town  was  fairly 
alive,  and  the  spirit  of  young  America  seemed  to  pervade  every 
citizen  of  the  little  village,  and  dreams  of  future  growth  and  great- 


658  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

ness  pervaded  the  minds  of  all.  A  class  of  citizens  came  to  the 
village  possessed  of  indomitable  perseverance  and  grit  and  with  a 
determination  to  make  the  town  one  of  the  best  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  Among  the  early  settlers  who  worked  fer  the  best  inter- 
est of  the  place  we  recall  the  names  of  Hiram  Markham,  James 
Cole,  James  Kelly,  Dr.  Clarke,  Daniel  Negley,  James  Smith, 
Hunt,  A.  Everett,  A.  Hess,  and  S.  A.  Hendee. 

The  original  proprietors  of  the  place,  imbued  with  a  spirit  of 
liberality,  gave  to  the  town  two  blocks  of  laud — one  on  the  east 
side  of  the  railroad,  and  one  on  the  west.  They  also  gave  lots  to 
such  religious  denominations  as  would  build  houses  of  worship. 
We  find,  therefore,  to-day  two  beautiful  parks  and  several  beauti- 
ful and  pleasant  church  edifices,  and  the  community  a  strictly 
moral  and  intelligent  one. 

The  first  three  or  four  years  were  disastrous  to  the  welfare  of 
the  town,  in  consequence,  principally,  of  the  failure  of  the  crops. 
Many  farms  had  been  opened,  but  the  farmers  had  used  up  all 
their  means  in  improvements,  trusting  they  would  be  rewarded 
with  good  crops,  which,  failing  them,  left  them  in  debt  to  the 
merchants  of  the  place.  The  consequence  of  this  state  of  affairs 
was  that  the  merchants  were  unable  to  meet  their  bills,  which 
caused  the  suspension  of  several.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  im- 
provements were  constantly  made,  buildings  for  stores  and  dwell- 
ings were  being  erected,  and  the  population  was  rapidly  increasing. 

In  1867,  the  T.,  P.  &  W.  Railroad  surveyed  a  line  through  the 
place,  and  the  city  subscribed  to  its  capital  stock,  to  aid  in  its 
completion.  Many  persons  prophesied  that  by  the  introduction  of 
the  cross-roads  the  town  would  be  killed,  as  all  the  country  trade 
would  be  lost.  Well,  says  Bushnell,  to  offset  this  we  will  erect  a 
fe.w  manufactories.  The  extensive  factory  of  Nelson,  LaTourette 
<fe  Co.,  for  the  manufacture  of  pumps,  wind-mills,  furniture  and 
croquet,  was  first  erected,  soon  followed  by  the  Lallarpe  Cultiva- 
tor Works  of  Pierpont  &  Tuttle,  which  is  doing  a  very  large  and 
constantly  increasing  business.  Other  manufactories  we  observe, 
among  the  number  being  Messrs.  Ball  &  Sons,  carriage  builders, 
Ayres  &  Decker,  barbed  wire  fence,  John  W.  McDonough,  rustic 
furniture.  These  are  but  the  nucleus  around  which  others  will 
gather  in  time,andwe  look  forward  to  see  the  time  when  the  place 
will  be  a  large  manufacturing  point,  With  its  railroad  and  other 
facilities  there  is  really  nothing  to  hinder. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  659 

During  the  past  year,  changes  have  taken  place  in  the  location 
of  the  passenger  depots  of  the  Galesburg  and  St.  Louis  divisions 
of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroads.  The  two  have  been  consolidated  and 
removed  up  to  the  junction  of  the  two  roads.  This  will  be  a 
great  convenience  to  the  traveling  public,  and  will  be  appreciated 
by  them.  The  entire  management  of  the  station  business  is  now 
controlled  by  the  pleasant  and  accommodating  A.  H.  McGahan. 

Great  improvements  have  been  made  in  general  appearance  of 
the  city  in  the  past  few  years.  Xew  walks  have  been  laid,  the 
streets  all  put  in  good  repair,  and  all  things  now  wear  an  air  of 
neatness  to  be  commended.  Two  beautiful  parks,  one  on  either 
side  of  the  railroad,  capable  of  holding  several  thousand  people, 
are  thrown  open  to  the  public  and  afford  a  pleasant  place  for  pic- 
nic parties,  public  speaking,  etc. 

During  the  year  1876,  at  a  cost  of  about  820,000,  the  city 
erected  a  high  school  building,  which  is  an  ornament  to  it.  In 
this,  as  in  all  other  matters,  Bushnell  does  not  propose  to  be  out- 
done, but  intends  that  her  public  schools  shall  be  the  best.  AVo 
trust  she  will  ever  be  animated  with  this  ambition.  Oar  public 
schools  are  the  hope  of  the  nation,  and  upon  their  success  or  fail- 
ure depend  the  future  of  the  republic. 

The  various  benevolent  and  reformatory  societies  are  well  repre- 
sented, there  being  flourishing  lodges  of  Masons,  Odd  Fellows, 
United  Workmen  and  Good  Templars.  The  Odd  Fellows  have 
lately  fitted  up  one  of  the  neatest  lodge  rooms  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  Busline)  1  has  many  live  firms  in  her  rnidst,qnite  a  number  of 
whom  special  mention  is  made  further  on  in  this  article.  To 
transact  the  business  of  the  place  we  find  three  agricultural  imple- 
ment dealers,  one  national  bank,  two  bakeries,  three  barber  shops, 
four  blacksmith  shops,  two  books  and  stationery,  four  boot  and 
shoe  manufactories,  four  carpenter  shops,  three  cigar  mauufacto- 
.  four  clothing  stores,  one  coal  yard,  eleven  dry  goods  stores, 
two  dentists,  five  dress  making  establishments,  four  drug  stores, 
one  foundry  and  machine  shop,  three  furniture  dealers,  thirteen 
grocery  stores,  three  hardware  scores,  three  harness  shops,  five 
hotels,  two  justices  of  the  peace,  two  jewelry  stores,  five  law  firms, 
two  livery  stables,  two  lumber  yards,  two  marble  works,  four  meat 
markets,  five  millinery  stores,  two  mills,  two  newspapers,  two  pic- 
ture galleries,  four  painters,  six  physicians,  one  piano  and  organ 
dealer,  two  real  estate  agents,  ten  restaurants  and  confectioners, 


660  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

two  sewing  machine  agents,  t.wo  tailor  shops,  one  veterinary 
surgeon,  four  wagon  and  carriage  makers,  one  wire  fence  manu- 
factory. 

The  Gleaner,  published  early  in  the  year  1877,  in  an  article  upon 
the  trade  and  business  of  the  place  during  the  previous  year, 
gives  much  useful  information,  from  which  we  glean  the  following 
facts  : 

During  the  year  there  was  expended  in  building  $40,000;  for 
grain,  §500,000;  for  stock,  $255,715;  merchandise  sold  $600,200; 
manufactured  articles  produced,  $280,000,  or  a  total  ot  $1,766,015 
used  in  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  city.  To  this  might 
be  added  unenumerated  business  not  given  by  the  Gleaner,  which 
would,  swell  the  amount  to  $1,800,000. 

Fierpont  &  Tuttle,  in  the  same  time,  made  4,500  cultivators, 
1,000  double  shovels,  100  ground  plows,  500  hand  cultivators. 
The  firm  employed  about  50  hands. 

It  required  about  3,400  cars  to  ship  the  grain  purchased  by 
Bushnell  men. 

A  Library  Association  was  organized  in  January,  1869,  under 
act  of  the  Legislature  approved  March  3,  1845.  The  association 
has  now  about  1,000  volumes,  comprising  the  principal  standard 
works  and  popular  works  of  the  present  day.  The  following 
named  persons  are  its  present  officers:  W.  J.  Frisbie,  President; 
Solon  Bemfel,  Secretary  and  Librarian;  J.  R.  Kay,  Treasurer. 

At  an  election  held  March  24,1869,  for  or  against  the  adoption 
of  a  City  Charter,  there  were  polled  284  votes  for  and  24  against 
the  proposition.  At  the  first  annual  election  for  city  officers,  held 
April  5,  1869,  the  following  named  persons  were  elected  :  J.  B. 
Cummings,  Mayor.  Aldermen,  1st  ward — Manning  F.  "West,  erne 
year;  James  W.  Kelly,  two  years.  Aldermen,  2d  Ward — James 
Ayres,  one  year;  James  Cole,  two  years.  Aldermen,  3d  Ward — 
William  II.  Oglesby*,  one  year;  I.  K.  McElvain,  two  years.  Al- 
dermen, 4th  Ward — Fisher  Brown,  one  year;  A.  E.  Barnes,  two 
years.  M:  A.  Luce,  Attorney  and  Clerk  ;  Joseph  Parks,  Treas- 
urer; Garret  Nevius,  Treasurer. 

Since  1869,  officers  have  been  elected  as  follows: 

1870 — Mayor — John  B.  Cummings  ;  Attorney  and  Clerk — M.  A.  Luce;  Marslial — C.  C.  Morse  ;  Alder- 
men—First ward,  E.  I).  C.  Haines  ;  Second  ward,  D.  M.  Wychoff ;  Third  ward,  W.  H.  Oglesby  ; 
Fourth  ward,  S.  A.  Hendee  ;  Against  license. 

1871— Mayor— J.  B.  Pearson  ;  Clerk— E.  E.  Chesney  ;  Marshal— C.  C.  Morse  ;  Aldermen— First  ward, 
Pardon  Woolley  ;  Second  ward,  James  Ayers  ;  Third  ward,  William  Shreeves  ;  Fourth  ward, 
Garrett  S.  Nevius  ;  For  license. 


HISTORY   OF    M  DONOUGH    COUNTY. 


661 


1>72 — Mayor- -J.  B .  Cuminings  ;  Clerk — E.  E.  Chesney  ;   Marshal— George  Davis;  Aldermen — First 

ward,  Joseph  Hoover;  Second  ward,  D.  M.  Wychoff;  Third  ward,  G.  Wenzel  ;  Fourth  ward, 

A.  E.  Barnes  ;  Against  license,  only  fourteen  votes  for. 
1S73-- ITai/w— Stockton  West:    Clerk— G,  C.  Redings;  Marshal— Robert  Ferguson;  Aldermen— First 

ward,  A.  Downey;  Second  ward,  Jasper  Clark;  Third  ward,  William  Shreeves ;  Fourth  ward, 

S.  A.  Hendee. 
\^~A— Mayor— Stockton  West:    Clerk— G.  S.   Ridings;    Marshal—  R.   H.  Ferguson;    Aldermen— First 

ward,  J.  H.  Smith;  Second  ward.  R.  W.  Wheeler;  Third  ward,  E.  K.  Westfall;  Fourth  ward, 

A.  E.  Barnes. 
IsTr.— J.  B.  Cummings.   Mayor.    G.  H.  MeElvain,   Clerk.    R.  H.   Ferguson.  Marshal.    Aldermen— 

First  ward.  B.  F.  Nickt-y  (long  term);  E.   D.   C.  Haines  (short  term);    Second  ward,   R.  W. 

Wheeler  ;  Third  ward,  J.  E.  Chandler;  Fourth  ward,  Thomas  Cochran. 
1876— Stockton  West.  Mayor.    G.  H.  MeElvain,  Clfrk.    F.  Deuel,  Marshal.   Aldermen— First  ward,  W. 

F.   Beadles;    Second  ward,  J.  Dennis;    Third  ward,  J.  G.  Bhreeves ;  Fourth  ward.  A.  E. 

Barnes — against  license. 

TABLE  OF  DISTANCES  FROM  BUSHNELL  OVER  THE  T..  P.  &  W.  RAILROAD  TO— 


New  Philadelphia  

MILES. 
5 

S^ottsburg 

MILES. 
5 

Stonington  

10 

Good  Hope 

9 

Seville  

18 

Sciota 

13 

Srnithneld  

16 

Blandinsville 

19 

Cuba  . 

91 

Civer 

26 

LaCrosse 

29 

Canton  

31 

Burnside 

34 

Rawalts  

34 

Ferris 

39 

Breeds  

37 

McCall 

41 

Glassiord  

43 

Elvaston 

48 

Mapleton  

48 

Hamilton 

69 

Orchard  Mines  

51 

Keokuk 

83 

Hollis  

:,•> 

Warsaw 

yj 

Peoria  

60 

Cisco 

09 

El  Paso  

92 

Iowa 

% 

Gilman  

146 

44 

State  Line  

170 

TABLE  OF  DISTANCES  FROM  BUSHNELL.  OVER  C.,  B.  AND  Q.  R.  R.,  TO— 


Quincv  

Miles. 
71 

Chicago 

Miles. 
19° 

Fouler  

60 

Rockford 

379 

Paluma 

57 

Sterling 

126 

Coatsburg  

K 

Rook  Island  Crossing 

89 

ramr>  Point  

50 

Moline 

86 

T..  \V.  and  W.  Junction  

44 

Orion  

67 

LaPrairie  

42 

Lvnn 

03 

Augusta  

89 

Alnha  

54 

Plvmouth  

31          Rio  

49 

Colmer  

•''»•)          \    Hpndprsrm 

45 

Tennessee  

20 

Alexis..           ..     . 

40 

Colchester  

18 

Spring  Grove 

34 

Macomb  

12 

Mon  mouth 

28 

Bardolph  

Lennox 

<» 

Prairie  Citv  

.") 

Roseville  

16 

Avon  

3 

Swan  Creek 

11 

St.  Augustine  

13 

Youn^stown 

10 

Abingdou.  . 

19 

fj 

Saluda  

28 

Fpuersou 

z, 

Galesburg  

Affair 

9 

Hannibal  


90 

Table  Grove 

14 

Louisiana  

114 

Vermont. 

19 

Knoxville  

33 

\storia 

25 

Yates  City  

HI 

Baders 

30 

Elmwood  

54 

Browning 

34 

Peoria  

81 

Frederick 

40 

Burlington  

58 

Beards  town 

43 

Wataga  

36 

Ovenzville 

53 

oneida  

40 

58 

Altona  

44 

Chapin 

6'* 

(ialva  

51 

Winchester 

7'* 

Kewranee  

60 

White  Hall 

87 

Buda  .   .  . 

74 

Greenfield 

<)<} 

Wyonet  

80 

Sheffield 

104 

Princeton  

86 

Brighton 

1¥>1 

Mendota  

108 

Upper  Alton 

13° 

Sandoval  

135 

Alton  Junction 

132 

Aurora  

153 

Alton 

1S7 

Napierville  

162 

1r>4 

H— 42 


662  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Description  of  School  Building. — Elsewhere  will  be  found  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  the  High  School  building,  which  is  situ- 
ated on  block  eight,  Hess'  addition.  As  will  be  observed,  the 
building  is  two  stories  in  height,  with  basement,  the  latter  of 
which  is  built  of  stone,  and  the  two  upper  stories  of  red  brick. 
The  basement  is  eight  feet  in  height,  divided  into  four  rooms,  and 
used  for  storage,  etc.  The  engine  for  heating  the  building  is  situ- 
ated therein.  Each  of  the  upper  stories  are  divided  into  four 
recitation  rooms,  each  in  size  28x32  feet,  fourteen  feet  high,  while 
there  are  halls,  closets,  etc.,  connected  with  and  leading  into  the 
various  rooms.  The  building  is  capable  of  accommodating,  with- 
out inconvenience,  five  hundred  pupils.  In  addition  to  this,  the 
city  has  two  other  buildings,  used  for  school  purposes — one  in 
the  third,  and  one  in  fourth  ward.  The  high  school  building  was 
designed  by  William  Quaye,  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  built  by  Charles 
Ulrichson,  Peoria,  and  is  said  by  good  judges  to  be  first-class  in 
every  respect.  It  was  commenced  August,  1876,  and  completed 
July,  1877.  The  School  Board,  under  whose  supervision  the  work 
was  performed,  was  composed  of  the  following  named  mem- 
bers :  S.  "West,  President ;  and  E.  D.  0.  Haines,  W.  J.  Frisbie, 
J.  B.  Cummings  and  S.  C.  Haines,  members;  Gr.  H.  McElvain, 
Secretary.  The  present  School  Board  is  composed  of  the  follow, 
ing  named  persons  :  William  T.  Beadles,  President ;  C.  A.  Bald- 
win, R.  S.  Randall,  J.  W.  Sparks  and  J.  L.  Griffith,  members- 
M.  Lovely,  Secretary. 

The  school  grounds  comprise  a  whole  block,  and  is  enclosed  on 
three  sides  with  a  neat  plank  fence,  stripped  and  capped;  and  in 
front,  on  the  east,  with  iron  picket.  The  playgrounds  are  200x 
360  feet.  The  outhouses  are  ot  brick,  one  on  each  side,  and  about 
200  feet  from  the  building. 

The  city  of  Bushnell  deserves  great  credit  for  the  erection  of 
this  building,  which  is  the  largest  in  the  whole  county,  being  in 
size  78x81  feet,  covering  6,118  square  feet,  and  costing  $20,000. 
.With  a  full  corps  of  efficient  teachers  in  every  department,  with  a 
school  board  alive  to  the  best  interests  of  education,  the  schools 
of  this  city  will  rank  with  any  in  the  county  or  State.  The  fol- 
lowing named  are  the  teachers  employed  for  the  session  of  1877- 
78:  Abram  Neff,  Superintendent;  Eli  Fisher,  Assistant  Supt.; 
Mrs.  Agnes  Sparks,  grammar  A ;  Mrs.  Richmond,  grammar  B  ; 
Mrs.  Higgins,  first  intermediate;  Mrs.  Brooks,  second  interme- 
diate ;  Miss  Hattie  Woodman,  first  primary  ;  Mrs.  Richardson, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  663 

second  primary  ;    Miss  Aline  MeGee,  third  primary ;  Miss  Eva 
Anderson,  fourth  primary. 

W.  J.  Frisbie. — Among  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Bushnell, 
none  do  more,  or  has  its  interests  more  at  heart,  than  William  J. 
Frisbie,  who  came  to  this  city  eight  or  ten  years  ago  and  pur- 
chased a  stock  of  drugs,  etc.,  continuing  the  business  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  He  is  pleasant  and  agreeable  to  every  one,  be  he  child 
or  man,  and  the  same  care  which  he  would  take  to  secure  the  favor 
o±  one  he  would  take  for  that  of  the  other.  We  have  said  that 
none  have  the  interest  of  the  city  more  at  heart;  this  is  true,  and 
is  often  exhibited.  In  the  cause  of  education  he  has  taken  spe- 
cial interest,  and  has  done  much  to  advance  the  grade  of  the  pub- 
lic schools.  During  the  years  1876  and  1877  he  was  a  member  of 
the  School  Board,  and  gave  much  of  his  time  to  superintend  the 
construction  of  the  new  school  house  which  is  an  ornament  to  the 
city.  In  the  discharge  of  his  private  business  affairs  he  brings  to 
bear  a  strong  will  and  determination,  with  pleasant  and  agreeable 
manners,  and  therefore  has  many  friends  and  a  legitimate  trade 
second  to  none  in  the  county.  His  stock  consists  of  everything 
in  the  line  of  drugs,  patent  medicines,  paints,  oils,  glass,  drug- 
gists' sundries,  etc. 

T.  F.  Seibert. — Mr.  Seibert  came  to  Bushnell  about  the  year  1867, 
and  for  a  time  clerked  for  James  Cole,  but  in  1863,  in  company 
with  Lemuel  Aller  opened  a  store  on  East  Main  street,  Bushnell, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Aller,  Seibert  &  Co.,  the  co-partnership 
continuing  until  the  spring  of  1871,  when  he  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  his  partners,  continuing  alone  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  S. 
is  a  pleasant  and  accommodating  gentleman,  one  who  thoroughly 
understands  his  business,  and  well  deserves  the  patronage  he  re- 
ceives. One  feature  of  this  store  deserves  special  mention,  and 
that  is  the  quality  of  goods.  Great  care  is  taken  in  the  selection 
of  the  stock,  and  none  but  the  best  goods  are  purchased,  the  house 
having  built  up  an  excellent  reputation  and  a  good  trade  in  con- 
sequence of  this  fact.  The  knowledge  that  an  article  came  from 
Seibert's  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  its  superior  quality.  Mr. 
Seibert  is  located  in  Andrew's  block,  East  Main  street. 

M.  L.  Walker. — This  gentleman  is  the  successor  of  G.  C.  Kid- 
ings  in  the  jewelry  trade,  and  is  found  occupying  room  with  W. 
J.  Frisbie,  on  East  Main  street.  Although  a  young  man,  Mr. 
Walker  is  a  first-class  wrorkman,  and  thoroughly  understands  his 
trade,  and  all  work  left  in  his  hands  will  be  attended  to  to  the 


664  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

satisfaction  of  those  who  favor  him  with  their  orders.  His  stock 
of  watches,  clocks,  plated  ware  and  jewelry,  is  as  large  as  any 
house  in  the  county,  and  in  quality  and  price  he  stands  head.  "We 
take  pleasure  in  recommending  him  to  the  readers  of  this  work. 

West,  Kaiser  &  Co.— No  firm  in  McDonough  county  is  better 
known  than  that  of  West,  Kaiser  &  Co.,  now  occupying  the  large 
three  story  brick  on  West  Main  street,  and  having  three  sales- 
rooms each  eighty  by  twenty  feet.  It  has  been  but  a  few  short 
years  since  the  Kaiser  Bros,  came  to  this  city  and  opened  a  small 
stock  of  general  merchandise,  but  these  few  years  have  witnessed 
a  great  change  in  their  affairs.  The  little  one  horse  store  has 
grown  to  mammoth  proportions  and  the  firm  now  carry  the  largest 
stock  and  enjoy  the  largest  trade  of  any  single  store  in  the  county. 
Each  of  the  three  salesrooms  are  used  for  a  special  department, 
the  first  on  the  south  being  used  for  their  grocery  stock,  the  sec- 
ond or  middle  room  for  dry  goods,  and  third  or  north  room  for 
clothing.  Let  the  season  be  what  it  may,  each  oT  these  rooms 
are  always  crowded  with  goods  and  customers.  To  an  outsider 
it  would  seem  the  firm  never  experienced  dull  times.  The  reason 
for  this  success  may  be  summoned  up  as  follows  :  Large  stock, 
adaptability  to  the  market,  pleasant  and  accommodating  disposi- 
tion of  both  proprietors  and  salesmen. 

D.  N.  Wisherd. — Situated  in  the  midst  of  a  splendid  county, 
rapidly  improving  in  wealth  and  steadily  increasing  in  popula- 
tion, and  at  the  crossing  of  three  different  railroads,  Bushnell  can 
not  help  becoming  a  goo^i  point  for  quick  distribution  of  manu- 
factures and  general  merchandise.  Recognizing  this  fact,  Mr.  D. 
X.  Wisherd,  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  accommodating 
business  men  in  the  State,  began  about  the  year  1872,  in  connec- 
tion with  a  general  retail  trade,  the  wholesale  trade  in  oysters  and 
fresh  fruit.  During  the  summer,  or  fruit  season,  he  begins  eariy 
by  receiving  invoices  of  the  same  from  as  far  south  as  the  State 
of  Tennessee,  and  closes  up  by  receiving  the  growth  of  the  north- 
ern States  of  Michigan  and  Minnesota.  In  fresh  oysters,  the 
season  begins  in  September  and  ends  late  in  the  spring.  In  this 
latter  trade  he  fills  regularly  orders  from  north,  south,  east  and 
west,  and  will  always  duplicate  Chicago  prices,  thus  saving  trans- 
portation. Such  enterprise  is  to  be  commended  and  encouraged, 
and  we  trust  the  trade  of  Mr.  Wisherd  will  continue  to  grow,  as. 
it  assuredly  will. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  665 

BUSIXESS   DIRECTORY. 


AGRICULTURAL   IMPLEMENTS. 

Kelly  &  Hoover,  corner  of  Hurst  and  Crafford  Streets. 
Miner,  James,  West  Main  Street. 
Harris  &  Pearson,  East  Main  Street. 

BANKS. 
Farmers'  National  Bank,  West  Main  Street. 


Wisherd.  D.  N..  Hail  Street. 
Frank,  Chas.,  East  Main  .Street. 


BARBERS. 


•Couch,  W.  H.,  opposite  American  House. 
Harper  &  Waggoner,  East  Main  Street. 
McDonald,  C.  H.,  West  Main  Street. 


BLACKSMITHS. 


Ayres.  James,  Hail  Street 

McElvaine  &  Shanghnessej,  Hurst  Street. 

McOehu,  Hailstr 

Albright,  Hurst  street. 


BOOKS  AND  STATIONERY. 


Randall,  R.  S..  east  Hail  street. 
Bradfield,  J.  A.,  Postoffice  building. 


BOOT  AND  SHOE    MANUFACTURERS. 


Schharr,  Adam,  east  Main  street. 
Winkle,  L.,  east  Hail  street. 


CARPENTER  AND  BUILDER. 


Colyflower,  Dave,  Hurst  street. 
Davidson  &  Co.,  east  Main  .-treet. 
Dodge,  Frank  P.,  west  Main  street. 
Sample  &  Nickey,  west  Main  street. 

CIGAR  MANUFACTURERS. 

r>avey.  Gardiner  &  Sorter,  west  Main  street. 
Krei<r,  Ferdinand,  west  Main  street. 
Angle,  Henry,  east  Main  street. 

•  CLOTHING. 

Alcan.  P.,  east  Main  street. 
Siebert.  T.  F.,  east  Main  street. 
West,  Kaiser  &  Co.,  west  Main  street. 
Zeiuer,  L.,  east  Main  street. 

COAL. 

Couch,  Thomas,  yard,  east  Main  street. 

DRY  GOODS,   BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 

Aller.  Lem.,  36  east  Main  street. 

Co.,  corner  Hail  and  Main  streets. 
Haynes,  J.  W.,  east  Main  street. 
Hey  &  Scott,  8  east  Main  street. 
Hendee.  S.  A.,  west  Main  street. 
Henry  <fe  Co..  east  Hail  street. 
Hunt,  "W.  H..  east  Main  street. 
Hunt,  M.  F.,  east  Main  street. 
Seibert,  T.  F.,  east  Main  street. 
Shreeves  &  Parks.  Main  and  Hail  streets. 
West,  Kaiser  &  Co.,  west  Main  street. 


James.  Dr.  J.  A..  Cole's  block. 
Murphy,  Dr.  J.  D.,  Hendee  Block. 


DENTISTS. 


DRESS   MAKING. 


Funk.  Miss  L.  W..  west  Main  Street. 
Kerns,  Miss  Mattie,  over  Alcan's store. 
Mann,  Mrs.,  east  Main  Street. 
McLean.  Miss,  over  West.  Kaiser  &  Co's. 
McCowan,  Mrs.,  east  Main  Street. 


DRUGS.   PAINTS   AND  OILS. 


Clarke  &  Co.,  J.  S.,  west  Main  Street. 
Frisbie,  W.  J.,  east  Main  Street. 
Sparks  &  Bro.,  east  Main  Street. 
Zook  and  Johnson,  east  Main  Street. 


HSTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

FOUNDRY   AND  MACHINE  SHOP. 

Warm  &  Balfour,  near  the  railroad  crossing. 

FURNITURE. 

McDonough  Bros.,  (manufacture  rustic)  west  Main  Street. 
Miner,  W.  H.,  east  Main  Streot. 
Oblander  Bros.,  west  Main  Street. 


Aller,  Lem,  No.  36  east  Main  Street. 

Clarke,  J  S.  &  Co.,  west  Main  Street. 

Cole,  J.  &  Co.,  corner  of  Hail  and  Main  Streets. 

Couch,  Thomas,  east  Main  Street. 

Fowler  &  Co.,  east  Main  Street. 

Haynes,  J.  W. ,  east  Main  Street. 

Hendee,  S.  A.  &  Co.,  west  Main  Street. 

Henry,  Smith  T.,  &  Co.,  No.  999  east  Hail  Street. 

Hey  &  Scott,  No.  8  east  Main  Street. 

Hunt,  W.  H.,  east  Main  Street. 

Shreeves  &  Paries,  corner  of  Main  and  Hail. 

Stevens,  A.  S.,  east  Main  Street. 

West,  Kaiser  &  Co.,  west  Main  Street. 

HARDWARE,  STOVES  AND  TINWARE. 

Griffith,  Amos  &  Co.,  west  Main  Street. 

Harris  &  Pearson,  east  Main  Street. 

Kelley  &  Hoover,  corner  of  Hurst  and  Crafford  Streets. 

HARNESS   AND  SADDLES. 

Goeppinger,  G.,  East  Main. 
Leib,  John,  West  Main. 
Schnarr  &  Beaver,  Hurst, 

HOTELS. 

Bushnell  House,  S.  Bradfield,  proprietor,  opposite  C.,  B.  &  Q.  depot. 
Hendee  House,  S.  A.  Hendee,  proprietor,  West  Main  Street.    $2  per  day. 
NationalHotel,  A.  Hess,  proprietor,  Craftbrd  Street,  opposite  East  park. 
St.  Charles  Hotel,  L.  H.  Green,  proprietor,  Hurst  Street.    $1.25  per  day. 
Sorter  House,  Joseph  Sorter,  proprietor,  opp.  P.  &  W.  Depot. 

INSURANCE  AGENTS. 

Spencer.  W.  A. 
Vail.  J.  C, 
Cummin gs.  J,  B. 
Hoover  &  McElvain. 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

Anderson,  J.  L.,  over  the  post  office. 
Hunt,  S.  A.,  East  Main. 

POLICE  MAGISTRATE. 

Fox,  G.  W. 


Denning,  J.,  East  Hail. ' 
Walker,  M.  L.,  East  Main, 


Barnes  &  Fox,  Hendee  Block. 

Chesney,  E.  E.,  Bank  block. 

McConnell,  Jos.  B.,  Cole's  block. 

Oglesby,  W.  H.,  East  Main. 

Sanders,  McKinney  &  Sanders,  Cole's  block. 


LIVERY    STABLES. 


Chandler  &  Sperling.  West  Main. 
Wood,  G.  F.,  West  Main. 

LUMBER,   LIME,   HAIR  AND  CEMENT. 

Alexander  &  Haines,  West  Main. 
Griffith,  Chidester  &  Co.,  West  Main. 

MARBLE     WORKS. 

Humes,  M.,  East  Main. 
Kachler,  F. 

MEAT  MARKET. 

Mill,  John,  East  Main. 
Nessel  Brothers.  Hail  street. 
Spader  &  Hawn,  west  Main  street. 
Stevens,  A.  J. ,  east  Main  street. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  667 


MILLINERY   AND  FANCY  GOODS. 


Davison,  Mrs.  J.  M.,  west  Main  street. 
Kerns,  Miss  Mattie,  over  Aloan's. 
Knapp  &  Sister,  Mrs.,  Masonic  Block. 
Mann,  Mrs.,  east  Main  street. 


Depot  Mills,  Hicks  &  Atwater.  opposite  C.,  B.  and  Q.  R.  R.  Depot. 

Excelsior  Mill,  G.  S.  Nevius,  proprietor. 


Fairman,  T.,  Hail  Street. 
Warner,  E.  F.,  Hail  Street. 
Saville,  Thomas,  Hail  street. 
Perrine,  P.  R.,  Hail  street. 


NEWSPAPERS. 


Bushnell  Record  (Republican)— S.  A  Epperson,  editor  and  proprietor.    Office  over  postoffice. 
The  Gleaner  (Independent)— J.  E.  Cuinmings,  editor  and  proprietor.      Office  west  Main  street, 
up  stairs. 

PHOTOGRAPHS. 

Danley,  R.  C.,  west  Hail  Street. 

Shreeves  &  Corwin,  No.  38  and  40  east  Main  street. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Beadles,  \V.  T.,  over  West,  Kaiser  &  Co. 
Kay,  J.  R.,  Cole's  Block. 
Scroggs,  R.  G.,  Masonic  Block. 
Westfall.  £.  K.,  over  Zook  &  Johnson. 
Sparks,  J.  W.,  east  Main  street. 

POSTMASTER. 

Epperson,  S.  A.,  Hail  street. 

PIANOS,   ORGANS.   ETC. 

Perrine,  John,  S.  &  Co.,  Hail  street. 

REAL  ESTATE  AGENTS. 

Haines,  S.  C.,  P.  O.  box  31. 

McElvaiu,  G.  IL,  agent  B.  &  M.  R.  R.  lauds;  office  in  Cole's  block. 

RESTAURANTS  AND  CONFECTIONERIES. 

Brockson,  Ned,  near  depot. 
Bradfield,  J.  A.  (toys),  in  postoffice. 
Duke,  S.  A.,  west  Main  street. 
Depot  Restaurant,  T.  L.  Morgan,  near  depot, 
Frank,  Chas.  (bakery),  east  Main  streets. 
Hamilton,  A.,  east  Main  street. 
Lichtendahl.  H.,  east  Main  street. 
Lauterbach,  Win.,  east  Main  street. 
Oblander,  Henry,  east  Main  street. 
Vance,  J.  M.,  opposite  C.,  B.  &  Q.  depot. 

SEWING  MACHINE  AGENTS. 

Swartz,  J.  W..  west  Main  street. 
J.  S.  Perrine  <t  Co.,  east  Hail  street. 

STATION  AGENTS. 

C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R..  A.  H.  McGahan. 
T.,  P.  &  W.,B.  O.  Mastic. 

TAILORS. 

Schrader,  Peter,  Cole's  block. 
Walther.  J.,  over  West,  Kaiser  &  Co.'s. 

VETERINARY  SURGEON. 

Thompson,  J.  C.,  West  Main,  at  Wood's  stable. 

WAGON   AND  CARRIAGE  MAKERS. 

Ayers,  James.  Hail  Street. 

Ball  &  Sons,  East  Main. 

Hall,  E.  E.,  Hurst  Street. 

Smith,  E.  H.,  Hurst  Street,  opposite  the  St.  Charles. 

WIRE  FENCE     MANUFACTURES. 

Illinois  Wire  Fence  Co.,  Hail  Street. 


668  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XLY. 

BAKDOLPH. 

Bardolpk  was  laid  out  August  3,  1854,  by  order  of  William  II. 
Randolph  and  Charles  Chandler,  and  surveyed  by  William  II. 
Rile,  County  Surveyor,  at  that  time.  The  town  is  located  on  sec- 
tion twenty-four  of  Macomb  township,  and  in  the  midst  of  one  of 
the  best  agricultural  districts  in  McDonough  county.  The  coun- 
try around  is  rolling  prairie,  although  the  timber  land  bordering 
on  Crooked  creek  is  not  far  distant. 

Bardolph  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad,  and  nearly  seven  miles  "hy  rail  from  Macomb, 
and  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  miles  from  Chicago.  It  is  laid 
out  with  the  railroad,  the  main  streets  running  parallel  with  and 
the  business  houses  fronting  the  road.  The  town  was  first  given 
the  name  ot  Randolph,  in  honor  of  William  H.  Randolph,  its 
founder,  but  on  finding  another  town  in  the  State  having  the 
same  name,  it  was  changed  to  Bardolph. 

The  first  dwelling  house  was  erected  by  Nathan  Jones  in  1856, 
about  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  railroad,  and  the  first 
store  building  by  Clinton  A.  Jones,  which  now  stands  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Broadway  and  Elm  streets.  In  this  house  Wetherhold  & 
Jones  started  the  first  store  in  Bardolph.  About  this  time  J.  B. 
Ilendricks  erected  a  building.  Since  then  the  growth  of  the  town 
has  been  glow,  but  of  a  healthy  and  desirable  character.  Lots 
sold  at  from  $50  to  §150  each  during  the  first  settlement  of  the 
place;  the  most  desirable  lots,  located  on  Broadway  street,  are  now 
valued  at  $300.  The  first  school  house  was  erected  in  1860  on 
the  corner  of  Poplar  and  Green  streets;  it  stands  there  at  pres- 
ent, unoccupied.  It  is  a  two-story  frame  building,  the  upper 
story  formerly  being  used  as  a  Good  Templars'  hall.  Pleuny  M. 
Wilcox  taught  the  first  school  in  this  building,  and  the  first  direc- 
tors were  I.  M.  Parvin,  T.  M.  Allison,  and  0.  M.  Hoagland. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  669 

April  15,  1869,  Bardolph  was  incorporated  as  a  town  by  a 
special  act  of  the  Legislature,  -and  the  following  Trustees  were 
appointed  by  that  body:  President,  A.  Russell ;  Trustees,  W.  J. 
Merritt,  W.  S.  Hendricks,  E.  Dyer,  N.  D.  Clark ;  Clerk,  David 
Adams.  After  this  the  Trustees  were  elected  annually,  the  Police 
Magistrate  acting  as  President. 

On  the  fifth  day  of  February,  1876,  Bardolph  was  incorporated 
as  a  village.  The  main  cause  for  this  change  was  that  the  town 
Trustees  were  also  school  directors  for  district  number  seven,  part 
of  which  is  in  the  country,  and  the  people  residing  out  of  the 
corporation,  therefore,  had  no  voice  in  choosing  the  directors. 
This  naturally  caused  dissatisfaction,  and  as  a  remedy  the  town 
was  changed  to  a  village,  and  a  board  of  school  directors  created 
separate  and  apart  from  the  village  officers. 

Annual  elections  are  held  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  April,  at 
which  a  president  and  five  village  Trustees  and  a  Clerk  are  chosen. 
The  fir^t  and  present  Board  of  Trustees  are :  President,  H.  A. 
Maxwell ;  Trustees,  E.  D.  Stevens,  J.  B.  Knapp,  J.  M.  Pelly, 
Lewis  Wilson  and  J.  T.  Korris  ;  Clerk,  T.  A.  Jackson.  Bonds  to 
the  amount  of  $2,000  are  required  to  be  given  by  Treasurer  and 
Clerk  for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  trust  and  duties  imposed 
upon  them. 

Since  the  organization  of  Bardolph  as  a  town,  no  liquor  license, 
billiard  or  any  other  gaming  license  has  ever  been  granted,  and 
during  this  period  but  one  case  of  assault  and  battery  has  oc- 
curred, which  speaks  well  for  the  morality  of  the  town.  Bar- 
dolph may  be  considered  as  a  strictly  moral  and  religious  village, 
perhaps  more  so  than  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  county. 

The  school  building  now  in  use  was  erected  in  1874,  at  a  cost  of 
$4,500.  It  is  a  good  four-room,  two-story,  frame  building,  30x56 
feet.  Three  teachers  are  employed,  at  an  average  salary  of  $40 
per  month.  The  average  attendance  is  120.  The  present  direc- 
tors (this  being  the  first  board)  are  Columbus  Hathaway,  Robert 
Work  and  T.  A.  Jackson.  Teachers  now  employed  are  :  Princi- 
pal, H.  M.  Shannon  ;  intermediate,  S.  J.  Park ;  primary,  Miss 
Ella  Walker. 

The  population  of  this  town  is  about  450. 

A  beautifully  located  cemetery,  owned  by  the  village,  lies  one- 
half  mile  northeast  of  the  main  part  of  the  town.  This  land  was 
given  to  the  town  by  W.  S.  Hendricks. 


670  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

The  following  is  a  correct  official  statement  of  the  average  num- 
ber of  cars  of  freight  shipped  from  Bardolph  each  year  during 
the  past  five  years  :  Wheat,  12  ears  ;  corn,  123  cars;  oats,  19  cars; 
rye,  10  cars;  cattle,  60  cars;  hogs,  80  cars;  flour,  5  cars;  other 
freight,  126  cars.  The  amount  received  per  year  for  the  same 
time,  was  :  Lumber,  41  cars ;  agricultural  implements,  1  car  ;  mer- 
chandise, 26  cars ;  other  freight,  232  cars — giving  a  grand  total  of 
435  cars  of  all  freight  shipped  for  each  year  since  1871,  and  300 
cars  received  during  the  same  time. 

Fire  Brick  and  Tile  Works. — In  1858  A.  Horrock  came  to  the 
town  of  Colchester,  in  this  county,  and  for  one  year  labored  in 
the  coal  mines  in  that  vicinity,  when  he  was  persuaded  to  go  to 
Avon,  in  Fulton  county,  to  serve  in  the  employ  of  some  party  in 
the  manufacture  of  fire  brick,  a  business  in  which  he  had  consid- 
erable experience  in  his  native  land.  He  only  remained  in  Avon 
some  nine  months,  when  he  returned  to  Colchester,  again  engag- 
ing as  a  laborer  in  the  mines.  Being  of  an  observing  nature,  he 
noticed  particularly  the  clay  cut  through  to  reach  the  coal,  and 
conceived  the  idea  that  it  was  perfectly  adapted  to  the  manufac- 
ture of  a  superior  quality  of  fire  brick,  and  early  in  the  year  1860 
he  began  experimenting,  to  see  if  he  was  correct  in  his  estimate  of 
the  clay.  His  expectations  were  fully  realized,  and  the  following 
year  he  began  to  manufacture  on  a  small  scale,  and  a  very  small 
scale  it  was.  Without  a  single  cent,  he  began  to  get  out  his  clay, 
and  arrange  farther  for  the  manufacture  of  the  brick.  Finding 
he  could  not  get  along  without  some  money  or  credit,  as  he  was 
necessarily  compelled  to  employ  some  help,  he  therefore  went  to 
a  merchant  of  the  town  and  arranged  with  him  to  furnish  a  few 
goods  to  his  help  on  order,  waiting  until  the  brick  should  be 
burned  for  his  pay.  He  now  manufactured  14,000  brick,  which 
he  sold  for  §280,  and  on  settling  his  store  bill,  found  he  had  left 
$244,  therefore  spending  but  §36  for  all  the  assistance  received ! 
In  this  way  he  obtained  a  basis  for  the  extensive  works  now 
owned  by  the  present  firm. 

For  three  years  Mr.  H.  continued  to  manufacture  the  brick, but 
in  1865,  for  some  cause,  he  failed  to  engage  in  the  work ;  but  in 
the  year  following,  we  find  him  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  drain 
tile  in  connection  with  brick,  having  made  a  small  hand  machine 
for  that  purpose.  During  this  year  it  was  with  difficulty  that  he 
disposed  of  1,000  feet,  which  did  not  increase  for  three  years. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY  671 

The  first  tiling  sold  was  for  draining  cellars  only,  it  being  impos- 
sible to  persuade  a  farmer  that  it  would  benefit  his  land  to  have  it 
drained.  The  Powerthat  made  the  land  and  sent  His  rain  upon  the 
just  and  unjust,  knew  better  than  he  what  was  for  the  best,  and 
no  one  could  improve  His  handiwork.  Shortly  after  beginning 
the  manufacture  of  tiling,  Mr.  Horrocks  made  a  proposition  to 
Rutherford  McClure,  Esq.,  who  lives  near  Colchester,  to  furnish 
him  with  tiling  sufficient  to  properly  drain  five  acres  of  land  and 
agreed  never  to  ask  him  for  his  pay  until  Mr.  McC.  was  satisfied 
that  is  was  of  benefit  to  him  and  should  order  more.  Mr.  McClure 
replied,  "Horrocks,  you  are  a  poor  man,  and  I  don't  want  to  take 
advantage  of  you,  and  I  know  you  cannot  improve  my  land  in 
that  way."  But  time  passed,  and  this  gentleman  desired  to  ar- 
range some  way  in  carrying  water  from  a  well  from  one  part  of 
his  place  to  another,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  his  stock.  He 
went  to  Mr.  Horrocks  and  asked  him  if  he  could  ditch  and  lay 
tiling  from  the  well  which  would  answer  the  purpose.  Mr.  H. 
told  him  that  he  could,  but  that  it  was  unneccessary  to  drain  the 
well  as  he  could  get  all  water  he  wished  without  going  there. 
Mr.  McClure  scouted  the  idea :  it  was  preposterous.  He  there- 
fore ordered  the  tiling  laid  in  the  direction  of  the  well.  The 
work  was  commenced,  but  the  well  never  reached,  there  being 
as  predicted  by  Mr.  H.  more  than  enough  water  rushing  through 
the  drain  from  the  pores  of  the  earth  for  all  his  purposes  !  The 
success  attending  this  work  pleased  Mr.  McClure  so  much  that  he 
stated  he  would  not  take  a  thousand  dollars  for  the  improvement, 
and  immediately  ordered  another  drain  made,  which  led  through 
a  meadow;  but  he  wouldn't  do  much,  as  he  didn't  think  it  wrould 
help  the  quality  of  the  land  any  ;  that  couldn't  be  made  better  in 
that  way.  The  drain  was  made,  and  when  he  came  to  plow  the 
meadow  the  following  spring,  lo,  and  behold,  that  part  which  he 
thought  would  be  too  wet  to  break  was  in  prime  order  !  "What 
was  the  cause  ?  The  drain  was  suggested.  Well,  if  that  was  the 
cause,  it  would  surely  kill  the  hedge  fence,  and  Horrocks  would 
have  to  be  sued  for  damage  !  But  the  fence  was  not  injured  but 
rather  bettered,  and  Mr.  McClure  was  a  thorough  convert  to  the 
principle  and  benefit  of  subsoil  drainage.  He  now  thinks  he  is 
going  to  have  the  best  farm  in  McDonough  county,  the  result  of 
scientific  and  systematic  drainage.  Thus  was  one  convert  made 
— by  practical  experience. 


672  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Some  time  after  beginning  the  manufacture  of  drain  tile,  Mr. 
Horrocks  shipped  one  car  to  T.  J.  Beard  &  Co.,Macomb,  then  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  trade,  to  sell  on  commission.  Mr.  Beard 
was  considerably  provoked  about  it,  and  told  Mr.  Horrocks  that 
he  never  could  sell  them  in  the  world,  but  happily  before  Christ- 
mas every  piece  was  disposed  of,  and  Mr.  Beard  tried  to  engage  a 
quantity  for  spring  delivery.  From  this  time  forward  the  trade 
began  to  increase,  and  by  the  year  1874  it  required  nine  hands  to 
do  the  work.  Orders  began  to  come  in  from  different  points,  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  all  could  be  filled. 

During  nearly  all  this  time  E.  D.  &  J.  W.  Stevens,  then  engaged 
In  the  mercantile  trade  at  Colchester,  had  been  watching  the  course 
of  events,  and  concluded  that  here  was  a  good  opportunity  for  in- 
vestment, that  no  better  opportunity  could  be  offered  for  develop- 
ing some  of  the  wonderful  resources  of  McDonough  county.  On 
consultation  with  Mr.  Horrocks,  it  was  found  that  satisfactory  ar- 
rangements could  be  effected  for  forming  a  new  company  and  en- 
larging the  works.  In  some  way  it  was  learned  by  the  parties 
that  a  superior  quality  of  clay  had  been  discovered  near  Bardolph, 
and  while  arrangements  were  being  perfected  for  the  formation 
of  the  new  company,  experiments  were  being  made  with  it,  and 
the  conclusion  was  arrived  at  that  here  was  the  plac"e  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  works. 

In  March,  1874,  the  co-partnership  was  formed  between  A. 
Horrocks,  E.  D.  Stevens  and  J.  W.  Stevens,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Horrocks,  Stevens  &  Co.,  and  arrangements  perfected  for  re- 
moving the  works  to  Bardolph.  The  capital  stock  invested  was 
$15,000  in  three  equal  shares. 

Mr.  E.  D.  Stevens  at  once  proceeded  to  Bardolph  to  arrange  for 
the  erection  of  the  works.  It  was  thought  a  shaft  might  be  sunk 
near  the  town  which  would  strike  the  seam  of  clay  from  which 
they  had  been  experimenting,  which  had  been  obtained  some  two 
miles  from  town  from  the  farm  of  David  Holler,  and  thus  obviate 
the  necessity  of  hauling  it  that  distance.  A  shaft  was  imme- 
diately sunk  some  thirty-two  feet,  fourteen  feet  of  which  was 
through  quicksand.  Of  course  this  had  to  be  abandoned.  An- 
other was  sunk  a  depth  of  seventy  feet,  when  it  was  suggested 
that  a  small  augur  be  used  for  boring,  as  it  was  thought  the  seam 
should  have  been  reached  ere  this.  After  boring  a  few  feet 
water  began  to  come  up  very  rapidly,  and  in  a  few  minutes'  time 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  673 

there  was  eighteen  feet  of  it  in  the  shaft.  It  was  with  difficulty 
the  men  could  be  got  out  before  being  overwhelmed.  This  like- 
wise had  to  be  abandoned,  since  which  time  no  further  attempts 
have  been  made  to  obtain  their  clay  in  that  way.  It  is  now,  and 
has  been  from  the  first,  hauled  from  Mr.  Holler's  place. 

Between  the  months  of  March  and  May,  1876,  an  engine  house 
and  machine  shop  were  erected  at  Bardolph,  and  in  this  latter 
mouth  the  wrorks  at  Colchester  were  abandoned  and  all  the  fix- 
tures removed  to  their  new  location.  About  this  time,  or  shortly 
after,  the  capital  stock  of  the  company  was  increased  to  $30,000. 

To  give  a  faint  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  works  we  will  say  that 
the  main  building  for  drying  purposes  is  204  feet  long,  36  wride, 
and  two  stories  high,  to  which  is  attached  the  engine  house  and 
machine  shops,  50x36  feet,  two  stories  high.  In  addition  to  this 
they  have  four  sheds,  each  150  feet  long  by  20  wide,  or  a  total 
shed  room  of  600x20  feet,  and  also  three  large  kilns  for  burning 
the  brick  and  tiling,  each  constructed  with  a  downward  draft, 
which  gives  double  the  heating  capacity  of  the  upward.  The 
engine  used  is  20-horse  power,  but  from  the  way  it  is  geared  it  is 
equal  to  a  60-horse  power.  With  the  exception  of  some  extra 
large  brick,  everything  is  made  by  machinery.  The  clay  is 
ground  (for  some  purposes  as  fine  as  flour),  and  moulded  into 
proper  shape  by  machinery.  It  is  truly  wonderful  to  notice  to 
what  extent  the  science  of  mechanism  is  carried. 

During  the  first  year  after  their  removal  to  Bardolph,  the  com- 
pany turned  their  attention  more  especially  to  the  manufacture  of 
fire-brick,  but  for  the  past  two  years  they  have  given  their 
attention  more  generally  to  drain  tile,  the  sale  of  which  has  con- 
tinually increased,  and  is  destined  to  increase  steadily  year  by 
year.  They  now  employ  about  twenty  hands,  exclusive  of  the 
teamsters,  and  manufacture  two  cars  of  tiles  and  brick  per  day. 
The  principal  sizes  of  tile  sold  are  three  and  four  inches,  though 
a  great  many  six  and  eight  inches  are  made  and  quickly  disposed 
of.  Their  trade  in  tiling  extends  principally  throughout  central 
and  western  Illinois,  while  in  fire-brick  it  extends  west  to  Colo- 
rado and  east  to  Chicago  and  beyond. 

In  July,  1877,  R.  C.  Pointer  purchased  the  interest  of  J.  \V. 
Stevens,  and  the  firm  is  now  composed  of  A.  Horrocks,  E.  D. 
Stevens  and  R.  C.  Pointer.  Any  information  desired  will  be 
promptly  given  by  the  firm.  Address  Horrocks,  Stevens  &  Co., 
Bardolph,  McDonough  county,  Illinois. 


674  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Cleveland  &  Son. — The  history  of  pottery,  if  it  could  be  written, 
would  extend  as  far  back  as  that  of  man.  History  speaks  of  its 
existence  2,000  years  before  Christ,  and  it  probably  extended  even 
farther  than  that.  The  molding  of  clay  as  a  useful  and  decorative 
art  has  long  been  known.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Cleveland  &  Son — Mr.  "William  Cleveland — has  been  engaged  in 
this  line  of  trade  for  nearly  a  third  of  a  century,  first  beginning 
in  Ripley,  Brown  county,  Illinois.  At  that  place  there  are  at 
present  seventeen  potteries,  the  entire  population  of  the  village 
being  interested  in  that  business.  One  seen  without  rnud  on  his 
person  woold  be  considered  by  one  of  the  inhabitants  as  a 
"  bloated-aristocrat."  The  junior,  Mr.  H.  A.  Cleveland,  also 
learned  the  trade  in  liipley,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  best 
workers  in  clay  in  this  country.  Desiring  to  give  his  family 
greater  advantages  than  they  possessed  in  Ripley,  Mr.  Cleveland 
came  to  Macomb,  in  this  county,  and  purchased  property  with 
the  intention  of  locating  there.  About  this  time,  experiments 
were  being  made  with  clay  upon  the  farm  of  David  Holler,  near 
Bardolph,  and  the  citizens  of  that  village  made  a  proposition  to 
Mr.  Cleveland  to  locate  with  them,  for  the  purpose  of  prosecuting 
his  business,  which  proposition  was  thought  to  be  fair  and  satis- 
factory, and  was  accepted  by  him.  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1870. 
Steps  were  immediately  taken  to  erect  shops  and  a  kiln  for  that 
purpose,  and  soon  the  business  was  in  successful  operation.  The 
firm  is  composed  of  William  and  H.  A.  Cleveland,  under  firm 
name  Cleveland  &  Son.  The  clay  used  by  the  firm  comes  from 
Holler's  banks.  They  manufacture,  on  an  average,  about  8,000 
gallons  of  ware  per  month,  requiring  for  that  purpose,  48,000 
pounds  of  clay.  Seven  men  are  constantly  engaged  in  the  works 
as  turners,  teamsters,  &c.  There  is  nothing  that  can  be  molded 
from  clay  but  what  can  be  turned  out  by  this  house.  In  addition 
to  all  the  common  ware,  such  as  crocks,  jars,  jugs,  vases,  &c.,  we 
notice  in  their  ware  rooms  many  articles  that  it  would  seem  im- 
possible to  mould  from  clay,  such  as  fish,  dogs,  sheep,  and  other 
animals,  etc.,  etc.  A  fine  line  of  vases,  yard  ware,  hanging  bas- 
kets, etc.,  are  always  on  hand,  or  will  be  made  to  order.  The 
Bales  of  .this  house  extend  throughout  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas, 
Nebraska  and  Illinois. 

J.  M.  &  S.  Work. — Among  the  bast  breeders  of  stock  in  this 
state  is  the  above  named  gentlemen  who  commenced  breeding 
fine  stock  in  1865,  with  a  few  young  hogs  bred  by  the  "Illinois 


HISTORY  OF  M'DOXOCGH  COUNTY.  675 

Importing  Company."  In  1871  they  began  to  import  for  them- 
selves, securing  during  that  and  the  following  year,  six  tine  head 
of  hogs.  In  1874  they  imported  the  thoroughbred  boar  "Tandy" 
from  Gloucestershire,  England,  and  in  1876,  "Kings  Toombs,"  bred 
by  Edwards  Toombs,  Oxfordshire,  England,  at  a  cost  of  about 
§200.  This  last  importation  was  made  at  the  importer's  risk  when 
the  boar  was  but  four  or  tive  months  old.  Messrs.  Work  Bros. 
have  made  uniformly  good  success  in  this  business,  and  their 
breeds  are  obtaining  national  reputation.  They  have  exhibited 
their  stock  at  many  county  and  state  fairs,  and  have  taken  more 
premiums  than  any  breeders  in  this  western  country.  In  1873, 
at  the  State  fair  at  Peoria,  they  competed  with  the  best  herds  in 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  and  received  five  blue  and  one  red 
ribbon.  They  have  one  sow,  named  "Queen,"  who  has  taken 
premiums  wherever  exhibited,  and  is  as  fine  an  animal  as  can  be 
seen.  At  St.  Louis  she  has  been  exhibited  twice,  receiving  the 
blue  ribbon  each  time.  During  almost  the  entire  time  in  which 
Messrs.  Work  have  been  engaged  in  the  business  they  have  had 
no  cases  of  cholera  on  their  premises,  which  certainly  proves  that 
they  bestow  great  care  upon  their  stock.  They  have  a  stock 
specially  adapted  to  the  purposes,  and  they  now  regularly  ship 
pigs  to  all  the  western  states  and  territories.  They  are  good  and 
true  men,  and  can  be  relied  upon.  Any  information  desired  will 
be  answered  by  addressing  J.  M.  &  S.  Work,  Bardolph,  Illinois. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 


BARBER. 

Weaver,  Harvey,  Broadway. 

BLACKSMITHS   AND  WAGON   MAKERS. 

Danley,  W.  L.,  Elm  Street. 

Gordo'n  &  Wilson,  corner  of  Chesnut  and  Elm  Streets. 

Purman,  Wni.,  corner  of  State  Road  and  Elm  Street. 

BOOKS   AND   DRUGS. 

Porter,  Wm.  X.,  Broadway. 

BOOT  AND  SHOE  MAKERS. 

Coats,  S.,  Broadway. 

Parviii,  S.  R.,  corner  of  Elm  and  Broadway. 

CLOTHING. 

Jackson  &  Bro.,  Broadway  near  Elm  Street. 

DRY  GOODS,   NOTIONS,   BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 

Jackson  &  Bro.,  Broadway  near  Elm  Street. 
McElroy,  J.  A.,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Gretn  Street. 

FIRE  BRICK,   TILING,   ETC. 

Horrocks,  Stevens  &  Co.,  west  of  town. 

GRAIN   DEALERS. 

Xorris,  J.  F.,  Broadway. 

Pelley,  J.  M.,  elevator,  corner  of  Green  &  Broadway. 


676  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

GROCERIES. 

Bennie,  Wm.,  Broadway. 
Jackson  &  Bro.,  Broadway  near  Elm  Street. 
McElroy,  J.  A.,  corner  of.Broadvvay  and  Elm  Street. 
Porter, '\Vm.  N.,  Broadway, 

HARDWARE. 

Fhike,  A.  W.,  (also  Stoves  and  Tinware)  corner  of  Broadway  and  Elm  Street. 
Jackson  &  Bro.,  Broadway,  near  Elm. 
McElroy,  J.  A.,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Green. 

HOTEL. 
Jackson  House,  N.  H.  Jackson,  proprietor,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Elm. 

LUMBER  DEALER. 

McCandless,  W.  F.,  Broadway. 

MEAT  MARKET. 

Bennie,  Wm.,  Broadway. 
Falkner  &  Vincent,  Broadway. 

MILLINERY  AND  DRESS  MAKING. 

Hendrickson,  Mrs.  E.  A.,  Broadway. 

Porter,  Mrs.  Mattie,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Green. 

MILL. 
Merritt,  W.  J. ,  corner  of  Green  and  Chestnut. 

POSTMASTER, 

Parvin,  S.  R.,  corner  Elm  and  Broadway. 

POTTER. 
Cleveland  &  Son,  Green  Street. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Knapp,  J.  B.  (alopathic),  Broadway. 
Sikes,  H.  B.  (alopathic),  Elm  Street. 

RESTAURAJiT. 

Dunlap,  H.,  Broadway. 

STATION   AGENT. 

Hendrickson,  J.  E. 

SECRET  SOCIETIES. 

MASONIC. 

Bardolph  Lodge  No.  572,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Hall  over  Jackson  &  Bro's  Store. 

ODD  FELLOWS. 

Bardolph  Lodge  No.  371, 1.  O.  of  O.  F.,  hall  corner  of  Broadway  and  Green. 

MISCELLANEOUS  SOCIETIES. 

Birdolph  Literary  Society,  meet  in  school  house. 

Bardolph  Cornet'Baod,  eleven  pieces;  H.  L.  Booth,  leader;  T.  A.  Jackson,  Secretary. 

Ladies'  Temperance  Union,  meet  at  private  houses. 

CHURCHES. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Jackson  Street. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Jackson  Street ;  Rev.  J.  E.  Taylor,  Pastor. 

Presbyterian  Church,  Elm  Street. 

PUBLIC  OFFICES. 

VILLAGE  TRUSTEES. 

President,  H.  A.  Maxwell  ;  E.  D.  Stevens,  J.  B.  Knapp,  J.  M.  Pelly,  Lewis  Wilson,  J.  F.  Norris; 
Clerk,  T-  A.  Jackson. 

POLICE  MAGISTRATE. 

Thomas  Rabbitt. 

JUSTICE  OF  THE  PEACE  AND  NOTARY   PRBLlC. 

N.  II.  Jackson,  office  on  Broadway  near  Elm  Street. 

TREASURER. 

N.  H.  Jackson. 

CONSTABLE. 

E.  A.  Clark. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  677 


CHAPTER  XLVL 

COLCHESTER. 

Just  before  the  completion  of  the  Northern  Cross — now  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad — Mr.  Lewis  H.  Little,  the 
owner  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  thirteen,  Tennessee 
township,  determined  to  locate  thereon  a  new  town,  and  for  that 
purpose  had  the  tract  surveyed  by  a  Mr.  Chester,  then  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  railroad  company.  In  honor  of  the  surveyor  he  named 
the  town  Chester,  but  on  learning  of  the  numerous  towns  in  the 
country  by  that  name,  he  prefixed  the  term  "Col"  to  the  same, 
making  it  Cochester.  The  term  uCol"  may  be  said  to  be  an 
abbreviation  of  the  word  "coal,"  then  beginning  to  be  an  import- 
ant product  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Little  made  no  public  sale  of  lots,  but  placing  them  upon 
the  market,  they  were  disposed  of  rapidly,  and  the  new  town  was 
soon  under  lull  headway.  D.  \V.  Campbell  purchased  the  first 
lot  and  erected  the  first  house  in  the  new  town,  and  also  brought 
the  first  stock  of  groceries  to  the  town.  He  is  yet  a  citizen  of 
the  place,  and  for  many  years  has  occupied  the  position  of  town 
constable  or  deputy  sheriff. 

The  first  building  erected  for  hotel  purposes  was  built  by  John 
Shults,  and  is  yet  used  for  that  purpose,  being  a  part  of  the  Ches- 
ter house  now  owned  by  the  old  pioneer,  J.  C.  Hobart. 

The  first  stock  of  dry  goods  and  general  merchandise  ever 
brought  to  the  town  was  by  Smithers  &  Atkinson,  but  the  first 
building  erected  for  that  purpose  was  by  Major  John  Patrick, 
who  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  in  the  town  for  many 
years.  The  building  erected  by  Major  Patrick  is  now  occupied 
by  the  firm  of  A.  J.  Smith  &  Co.,  who  are  doing1  a  very  extensive 
business. 
H— 43 


678  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Since  the  laying  out  of  the  original  town  there  have  been  three 
additions  made  to  it :  the  first  by  Charles  E.  Gilchrist,  the  second 
by Canotes,  the  third  by  the  Quincy  Coal  Company.  Gen- 
eral Gilchrist  made  the  first  and  only  sale  of  public  lots.  At 
private  sale  the  first  lots  sold  from  §20  to  $60  each,  and  all  soon 
passed  out  of  the  hands  of  the  original  proprietor.  On  the  com- 
pletion of  the  railroad  the  town  grew  very  rapidly  for  about  two 
years,  when  no  further  apparent  growth  was  made  until  the  time 
of  the  war,  when  immagration  again  was  attracted  to  the  place. 
As  may  be  inferred,  the  class  of  citizens  by  which  the  town  was 
settled  was  principally  miners,  hard-working,  intelligent  men  and 
women.  Further  on  we  shall  make  additional  remarks  in  refer- 
ence to  this  class  and  to  the  coal  interests  of  the  place. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1857,  a  public  meeting  was  held  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  organ- 
izing the  town  under  a  special  charter.  The  question  was  dis- 
cussed pro  atd  con,  and  it  was  determined  to  submit  the  matter 
to  a  vote  of  the  people.  In  May  the  vote  was  taken,  fifty-eight 
voting  for  and  two  against  incorporation.  So  the  town  was  in- 
corporated, and  a  Board  of  Trustees,  consisting  of  five  members, 
was  duly  elected.  The  following  are  the  uames  of  the  first  Board  : 
John  Patrick,  Thomas  W.  Hunt,  John  E.  Jackson,  William 
Cowan,  and  W.  L.  Whitson. 

Colchester,  like  all  other  towns,  has  had  its  seasons  of  prosperity 
and  seasons  of  adversity.  Its  most  rapid  growth  was  in  the  years 
1856  and  1857,  just  after  the  completion  of  the  railroad.  From 
that  time  until  the  years  1863  and  1864  but  little  was  done;  then 
the  town  began  to  improve  again,  but  soon  fell  back  to  a  state  of 
apathy,  which  continued  until  the  past  year,  when  it  began  to 
take  on  new  life.  We  now  find  it  rapidly  improving  ;  new  houses 
of  the  most  substantial  character  are  being  erected,  and  the  sup- 
ply of  tenement  houses  does  not  equal  the"  demand.  The  town 
now  contains  a  larger  number  of  inhabitants  than'ever  before. 
Many  houses  have  two  or  more  families  in  them/living  in  this 
way  until  better  provisions  shall  be  made  for  them. 

Colchester  has  many  advantages  not  possessed  by  other  towns 
of  the  county.  The  face  of  the  earth  not  only  yie'lds'its  fruit  to 
the  work  of  the  hands  of  her  people,  but  the  underworld*is  com- 
pelled to  yield  up  her  treasures,  which  go  to  en richf mankind  and 
minister  to  the  comforts  of  the  race.  Even  should  a  drouthfoccur, 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  679 

these  people  have  a  mine  of  wealth  in  their  coal-beds  that  cannot 
be  affected  by  it. 

The  demand  for  the  products  of  this  underworld  has  never  yet 
been  less  than  the  supply;  therefore,  while  other  places  may  feel 
from  time  to  time  the  effects  of  a  monetary  crisis,  Colchester  does 
not  suffer  in  comparison  with  them. 

The  coal  interests  of  this  place  have  never  been  fully  appreciated 
by  the  citizens  of  the  county,  while  none  realize  the  vast  treasures 
which  are  underneath  their  very  feet.  We  have  spent  much  time 
in  gathering  items  in  relation  to  this  work,  and  with  pleasure  sub- 
mit them  to  our  readers.  Until  the  year  1855  but  little  had  been 
done  in  this  field  of  labor.  A  little  coal  had  been  taken  out.  of 
the  drifts,  but  no  systematic  work  had  been  undertaken.  The  first 
coal  ever  taken  out  and  used  for  fuel,  is  said  to  have  been  by  the 
Mormons  between  the  years  1840-46.  In  1853,  James  Koberts, 
now  President  and  Superintendent  of  the  Colchester  Coal  Com- 
pany, came  to  this  county,  bought  land  in  the  Welch  settlement, 
and  began  mining  on  a  small  scale,  continuing  the  same  until  the 
neigh  of  the  iron  horse  was  heard  in  the  distance,  when  he  en- 
larged his  works,  and  by  the  time  the  road  was  completed  in  the 
spring  of  1855,  to  Camp  Point,  he  was  ready  for  active  operations. 
Securing  about  a  dozen  teams  he  began  to  ship  to  Quincy,  hauling 
to  Camp  Point,  and  from  thence  by  rail.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  what  has  since  developed  into  a  great  business  enterprise, 
bringing  into  our  county  annually  thousands  of  dollars.  From 
the  time  he  first  struck  a  pick  in  1853,  Mr.  Roberts  lias  continued 
in  the  business  of  mining. 

About  the  year  1855  a  partnership  was  formed  under  the  firm 
name  of  Roberts  &  Co.,  soon  changing  to  Roberts  &  Eros.,  then 
Morris  &  Roberts,  then  Morris  &  Co.,  then  back  to  Roberts  &  Co., 
and  then  Morris  &  Spencer,  and  finally  the  company  dissolved,  its 
members  forming  two  separate  organizations  under  the  names  of 
Quincy  Coal  Company  and  Colchester  Coal  Company,  the  latter 
now  being  owned  and  controlled  by  James  Roberts  &  Sons,  the 
former  by  gentlemen  living  in  Quincy  and  Colchester,  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Rundle  as  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  mines,  and 
H.  S.  Osborne,  of  Quincy,  its  able  president.  These  two  com- 
panies do  an  immense  business,  the  Quincy  Coal  company  in  its 
mines  employing  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  and  sixty  boys,  and 
the  Colchester  company  having  forty  men  and  ten  boys.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  there  are  nearly  as  many  more  engaged  in  neighbor- 


680  HISTORY  OF  M'DOMOUGH  COUNTY. 

ing  mines,  or,  in  round  numbers,  a  total  of  about  four 'hundred 
engaged  in  the  work.  The  pay  roll  of  the  two  companies  to- 
their  regular  hands  is  about  $11,000  per  month. 

During  the  past  six  years  there  has  been  shipped  from  this  sta- 
tion an  average  per  year  of  6,828  cars,  or  22  cars  per  day  ;  which 
reduced  to  bushels  would  be  for  the  year,  1,707,000,  or  136,560,000 
pounds.  This  gives  one  bat  a  faint  conception  of  the  magnitude 
of  the  trade.  It  may  here  be  remarked  that  Colchester  coal  is- 
acknowledged  by  all  to  be  the  best  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  As 
a  general  thing  matters  have  always  run  smooth  between  the  va- 
rious companies  and  their  men,  the  latter  receiving  good  wages 
at  all  times,  far  better  than  could  be  obtained  in  any  other  trade. 
An  industrious  man  it  is  said,  can  make  from  §75  to  $100  per 
month  at  the  rate  paid — 6  cents  per  bushels.  At  the  present  all 
seem  prosperous  and  contented.  An  impression  seems  to  prevail 
among  many  that  coal  mining  is  unhealthy,  we  therefore  made 
special  inquiry  as  to  its  truth,  and  found  there  is  no  class  of  persons 
enjoying  better  health  than  the  coal  miners,  not  even  the  farming 
community. 

During  the  past  five  years  there  were  shipped  from  this  station 
an  average  per  year  of  wheat,  1  car;  oats,  6;  corn,  15;  rye,  3; 
cattle,  2;  hogs,  13;  coal,  6, 828;  other  freight,  165.  In  the  same 
time  there  were  received  of  lumber,  21  cars  ;  agricultural  imple- 
ments, I ;  merchandise,  81 ;  other  freight,  60.  These  items  make 
a  very  respectable  showing  for  the  town. 

In  the  cause  of  education  Colchester  keeps  pace  with  the  rest 
of  the  county.  A  large  brick  school  building  was  erected  but  a 
few  years  ago  at  a  cost  of  $8,000,  and  a  nine-mouths'  school  is 
held  therein  each  year.  A  proposition  was  submitted  to  the  peo- 
ple for  or  against  keeping  the  schools  open  that  length  of  time 
each  year,  and  the  proposition  was  carried  almost  unanimously 
to  continue,  thus  showing  the  people  are  alive  to  their  interests. 
Next  to  the  church  the  school  house  is  the  great  civilizer  of  the 
land.  Good  wages  have  always  been  paid  their  teachers,  and 
usually  the  best  have  been  employed.  At  present  Professor 
Charles  W.  Parker  is  the  efficient  superintendent. 

With  respect  to  religious  influences,  the  town  has  two  good 
church  buildings,  represented  by  two  denominations — Methodist 
Episcopal  and  Christian.  Each  of  these  have  good  congrega- 
tions. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  681 

The  question  of  license  or  no  license  is  submitted  each  year  at 
their  annual  election,  and,  like  other  towns,  it  sometimes  is  carried 
for  and  then  against.  The  monetary  influence  is  the  great  argu- 
ment brought  to  bear  to  create  public  sentiment  in  its  favor.  We 
believe  the  time  will  come  when  all  will  be  made  to  see  that  the 
money  obtained  directly  from  this  source  is  always  paid  out  with 
usury  to  sustain  paupers  and  criminals  made  by  the  use  of  the 
liquors  drank. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  have  served  the  town  as  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Trustees  since  its  organization  : 

1857— John  Patrick,  Thomas  W.  Hunt,  John  E.  Jackson.  William  Cowan  and  W.  I.  Whitson. 

1858— J.  H.  Atkinson,  John  Patrick,  Ansou  Underbill,  Abraham  Pearson  and  Thomas  W.  Hunt. 

1859— William  Edgerton,  David  Cowan,  James  Robinson.  I.  Ingals  and  I.  B.  Hunt. 

1860— A.  Milliken,  W.  Cowan,  Eli  Gertoide,  J.  B.  Hunt  and  D.  W.  Huddleston. 

1861— E.  Gertoide,  I.  B.  Hunt,  W.  Cowan,  D.  W.  Huddleston  and  William  Smith. 

1862— Isaac  B.  Hunt,  D.  W.  ITuddleston,  Eli  Gertoide,  William  Cowan  and  William  Smith. 

18C3-- William  Edgerton,  Archibald  Morton,  Abraham  Newland,  Sr.,  Thomas  Smith  and  Lewis  H. 

Little. 

1864— Thomas  Rundle,  J.  C.  Hobart,  A.  W.  Higbee,  William  Mclntosh  and  George  Billiard. 
1865— W.  C.  Yaryan,  Caleb  Rippetoe,  Anson  Underbill,  Daniel  McKinlay  and  W.  H.  Tallman. 
1866— William  Edgerton,  I.  B.  Hunt,  George  Hilliard,  William  Smith  and  Thomas  Terrill. 
1867— George  Hilliard,  I.  B.  Hunt.  William  Smith.  William  Edgerton  and  Thomas  Miller. 
1868— E.  Rhodes,  William  Winship,  I.  B.  Hunt,  Charles  Webster  and  W.  H.  Weir. 
1869— Richard  Musson,  Caleb  Rippetoe,  J.  C.  Vest,  William  Cowan  and  David  C.  Reece. 
1870— Charles  Webster,  Joseph  Winship,  I.  B.  Hunt,  William  Green  and  William  Smith. 
1-71— Richard  Musson,  Caleb  Rippetoe,  P.  S.  Thomas,  I.  B.  Hunt  and  William  Greenbank. 
l<T2-Charles  Webster,  I.  B.  Hunt,  William  Potter,  William  Smith  and  Paul  Custer. 
1873— Caleb  Rippetoe,  I.  B.  Hunt,  William  Potter,  William  Smith  and  Paul  Custer. 
1>71— Caleb  Rippetoe,  I.  B.  Hunt,  Paul  Custer,  William  Potter  and  Joseph  Winship. 

-A.  W.  Higbee,  Elijah  Stookey,  I.  B.  Hunt,  S.  T.  Moore  and  John  Rundle. 
1876— William  Greenbank,  I.  B.  Hunt,  William  Knight.  Edward  Hall  and  Abraham  Xewland,  Jr- 

[Abraham  Newland,  Jr.,  and  William  Egerton  received  the  same  number  of  votes  at  the 

election,  and  ballots  were  drawn  in  Mr.  Xewland's  favor.J 

With  respect  to  the  mercantile  trade  of  the  town,  Colchester 
has  several  good  sized  business  houses,  with  firms  doing  a  thriving 
business.  Her  merchants  are  pleasant  and  accommodating,  and 
are  public  spirited  men.  Among  the  number  we  would  refer  es- 
pecially to 

Abraham  Netdand,  Jr. — Among  the  business  firms  of  Colchester 
in  which  her  people  take  pride,  none  rank  higher  than  that  of 
Abraham  Newland,  Jr.  Captain  Newland  commenced  business  in 
a,  small  way  in  the  fall  of  1865,  two  weeks  after  his  return  from 
the  army,  investing  the  entire  amount  of  his  savings  in  a  stock  of 
general  merchandise.  Before  entering  the  army  he  spent  almost 
his  entire  life  beneath  the  earth  as  a  coal  miner,  and  therefore 
had  no  previous  experience  in  mercantile  trade  :  but  he  did  have 
that  which  serves  in  its  stead,  a  determined  will,  which,  by  strict 
attention  to  business  and  square  and  fair  dealing,  merits  success. 
And  success  has  crowned  his  efforts.  The  little  "one-horse  store" 


682  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

has  grown  to  mammoth  proportions,  and  few  stores  in  the  county 
carry  a  larger  stock  or  do  a  greater  business  at  the  present  time. 
The  stock  is  one  of  general  merchandise,  such  as  is  required  in 
this  place.  Unlike  other  towns,  nearly  all  the  goods  sold  is  on 
time,  the  miners  receiving  their  pay  monthly  at  a  stated  time,, 
and  therefore  it  becomes  necessary  they  should  purchase  all  goods 
required  by  them  payable  at  such  a  time,  and  it  is  consequently  a 
matter  of  convenience  to  them  to  purchase  their  entire  supplies 
from  one  house,  hence  it  is  impossible  to  classify  the  trade  here  as 
elsewhere.  Each  miner,  or  his  family,  is  supplied  with  a  book  in 
which  all  entries  are  made,  and  therefore  it  is  known  by  each 
whether  he  is  going  beyond  his  means  are  not. 

In  looking  over  the  stock  of  Captain  Newland  we  notice  that 
in  the  line  of  dry  goods  his  assortment  is  complete,  having  full 
lines  of  dress  goods,  cloths,  cassimeres,  bleached  and  unble  ached 
muslins,  prints,  thread,  buttons,  gloves,  and  a  thousand  and  one 
other  things  going  to  make  up  a  stock  of  sundries  connected 
with  the  trade.  The  boot  and  shoe  department  is  likewise  full 
and  complete  to  overflowing,  from  the  infant  shoe  to  the  heavy 
stoga  boot  or  miners'  shoes.  In  groceries  you  have  as  good  a 
stock  from  which  to  select  as  anywhere  in  the  county,  and  at  sat- 
isfactory prices.  With  respect  to  prices  on  all  kinds  of  goods,  he 
proposes  to  sell  as  low  as  any  house  in  the  county.  Among  all 
our  acquaintances  we  know  of  no  man  more  pleasant  to  deal  with 
than  Captain  Newland.  In  his  store  you  are  always  treated  like 
a  gentleman.  The  Captain  is  ably  assisted  by  his  brothers,  who 
are  likewise  pleasant  and  agreeable  gentlemen,  who  will  use  their 
utmost  endeavors  to  please  those  who  may  favor  them  with  a  call. 
Those  trading  at  Colchester  can  not  do  better  than  to  patronize 
the  extensive  dry  goods  and  grocery  house  of  Abraham  New- 
land,  Jr. 

G-eorge  O.  Kratzer. — Every  man  knows  the  enjoyment  in  a  neat, 
easy  fitting  boot,  and  the  manufacturer  of  such  an  article  de- 
serves well  of  the  public  and  a  good  paying  patronage.  George  C. 
Kratzer  came  to  Colchester  about  three  years  ago  unheralded  and 
unknown  and  began  the  manufacturer  of  boots  and  shoes.  Of 
course  his  success  was  limited  in  the  beginning,  having  to  estab- 
lish a  reputation,  but  in  him  was  perseverance  personified,  and 
he  kept  pegging  away,  and  customers  continued  to  multiply,  un- 
til to-day  he  has  a  business  of  which  he  has  no  reason  to  be 
ashamed  of.  Customers  once  secured  would  always  return,  the 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  683 

quality  of  the  work  giving  satisfaction  to  every  one.  "With  good 
workmanship,  Mr.  Kratzer  combines  pleasant  and  agreeable 
manners,  and  tries  to  please  all  who, may  favor  him  with  their 
patronage.  It  is  our  hope  that  he  will  continue  to  prosper,  that 
customers  will  increase,  and  satisfaction 'be  rendered  to  all.  Re- 
member George  C.  Kratzer  when  you  desire  anything  in  the  line 
of  boots  and  shoes. 

William  Foster. — One  of  the  best  men  to  do  business  with  in 
McDonough  county  is  William  Foster,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  cloth- 
ing and  groceries.  Mr.  Foster  came  to  this  county  many  years 
ago,  and  in  the  mines  and  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  he  worked, 
earning  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  face.  At  his  country's  call 
he  went  forth  to  battle,  and  as  a  member  of  the  gallant  124th  reg- 
iment he  did  good  service.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  came  home 
and  again  toiled  as  of  old  upon  the  farm  and  in  the  mines.  In 
order  to  obtain  better  school  facilities  for  his  children  he  moved 
into  town,  and  shortly  after  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade.  His 
stock  consists  of  all  things  usually  kept  in  a  well  regulated  store, 
and  he  is  constantly  making  additions  thereto.  Accommodating 
himself  and  with  accommodating  salesmen,  he  deserves  success, 
and  we  trust  his  best  anticipations  may  be  realized. 

S.  D.  Mills. — No  man  is  better  known  in  the  western  part  of  the 
county  than  8.  D.  Mills.  For  some  years  past  he  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  every  matter  of  public  importance  in  the  village. 
Whatever  will  tend  to  advance  its  best  interests  will  find  in  him  a 
worker  and  not  a  shirker.  Such  men  deserve  success,  and  sooner 
or  later  success  will  crown  their  efforts.  Mr.  Mills,  as  contractor 
and  builder,  has  built  many  of  the  best  houses  in  the  western  por- 
tion of  the  county,  his  trade  not  being  confined  to  his  own  partic- 
ular village  and  the  country  immediately  surrounding  it.  Mr. 
Mills  is  regarded  as  a  good  carpenter  and  reliable  man.  In  addi- 
tion to  building,  he  carries  a  stock  of  lumber,  lath,  shingles,  lime, 
hair  and  cement,  and  all  other  articles  usually  found  in  a  well 
regulated  lumber  yard.  Anything  not  on  hand  will  be  ordered 
on  short  notice,  and  sold  as  low  as  any  dare  sell  in  this  county. 

BUSINESS   DIRECTORY. 

AGRICULTURAL  IMPLEMENTS, 

Bowman,  T.  J. 

BARBERS. 

Coker  &  Falder. 

BLACKSMITH  SHOPS. 

Reece,  D.  C. 
Shippy,  J.B. 


684  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


BOOT  AND  SHOE   MAKERS. 


Carstens,  A.  W. 

George  C.  Kratzer— also  dealer. 


CONFECTIONER. 

Jones,  David. 

CARPENTERS   AND  BUILDERS. 

Surtees,  John. 

Mills,  S.  D.— also  Lumber  Dealer. 


DRESSMAKERS. 


DRUG  STORES. 


GENERAL  MERCHANDISE. 


Hall,  Mary. 
Magoire,  Miss  Mollie. 
Mills.  Maggie  Mrs. 


Morey  &  Hen  del. 
Thompson,  G.  M. 


Bright,  William. 
Foster,  William. 
Newland,  Abraham,  Jr. 
Smith,  A.  J.  &  Co. 
Stookey.  f.  A. 
Underbill  &  Son. 
Parks,  Samuel. 


Union  Hall,  Underbill  &  Sons. 
Good  Templars'  Hall. 

HARDWARE  DEALER, 

Erdnjan,  J.  M 

LAWYERS. 

Jackson,  John  E. 

MEAT  MARKET. 

Hall,  John  &  Bro.    Mc^Jee  &  Evans. 

MILLINERY. 

Maeruire,  Mollie  Miss. 
Mills,  Maggie  Mrs. 

PAINTER. 

Campbell,  G.  W. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Hunt,  I.  B. 
Perry,  T.  C. 
Tandy,  W.  M. 
Wear,  Dr. 

POST  MASTER. 

Newland.  Abraham  Jr. 

PICK   AND   AXE  HANDLE  MANUFACTURER. 

Boyd.  William. 

RESTAURANT. 

Slocum,  Lance. 

WAGON   MAKERS. 

Bowman,  T.  J. 
Wooley,  Barnett. 

CHUKCHES. 

Christian  Church.  f 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

LUMBER. 

Mills,  S.  D. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL  BUILDING,_TEIS;KESSEE. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 


685 


TENNESSEE. 

This  town  was  laid  out  in  March,  1854,  by  J.  B.  Baker,  T.  K.  Waddle  and  S.  Cocker- 
ham.  The  route  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  had  been  determined  and  work  along  the 
line  commenced,  when  the  above  named  gentlemen  thought  it  advisable  to  start  a  town, 
and  no  better  location  could  then  be  found  than  was  chosen,  on  section  22,  Tennessee 
township,  and  on  a  beautiful  and  fertile  prairie,  about  ope  mile  south  of  Crooked  creek. 

The  lots  are  fifty  feet  front  by  110  deep,  and  laid  off  fronting  the  railroad,  about  an 
equal  number  on  each  side.  The  two  main  streets  run  parallel  with  the  railroad.  Vacant 
lots  on  these  streets  are  valued  at  from  $20  to  $75,  according  to  location. 

For  the  first  few  years,  until  1858,  the  town  grew  rapidly.  Stores,  shops  and  dwellings 
grew  up  on  every  hand,  and  all  was  life  and  activity.  It  soon  became  quite  a  business 
point ;  but  since  1858  the  progress  has  been  slow.  While  the  class  of  buildings  has 
been  improved  and  the  stores  enlarged,  the  number  of  inhabitants  is  scarcely  more  than 
several  years  ago.  June  7,  1865,  the  place  was  incorporated  as  a  town,  and  as  a  village 
November  25,  1872,  which  it  remains  at  present. 


BUSINESS  HOUSES  OF  B.  F.  THOMPSON,  TENNESSEE. 

A  calaboose  or  town  prison  was  built  February,  1872,  and  turned  over  by  mischievous 
boys  of  the  town  Christmas  eve,  1875,  rebuilt  in  January,  1874,  and  destroyed  by  fire  in 
November,  1876. 

The  following  is  a  correct  statement  of  the  annual  average  number  of  car  loads  of 
the. various  kinds  of  freight  shipp3d  from  Tennessee  daring  the  past  five  years:  Wheat- 
12  carloads:  corn,  Ql.2  cars:  oats,  6  cars:  ry.-.  41a'  cars:  cattle,  58  cars:  hr>g.5,  115  cars;  coal' 
41  cars;  other  freight,  87  cars;  or  a  total  of  330  cars  of  freight  shipped  each  year  since 
1871.  The  average  number  of  cars  received  per  year  during  the  same  time  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Lumber,  10  cars:  agricultural  implements,  1  car;  general  merchandise,  23  cars; 
other  freight,  32  cars,  or  65  cars  per  year,  making  265  cars  more  that  were  shipped  than 
were  received. 


686  HISTORY  OF  M'LONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Few  towns  in  the  county  of  more  pretensions  can  boast  of  a  better  school  building 
fian  Tennessee,  a  fine  illustration  of  which  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  history.  The 
building  is  size  thirty- four  by  forty  feet,  built  of  red  brick,  with  caps  and  sills  of  stone- 
As  will  be  seen  in  the  illustration,  it  has  three  gables,  a  neat  belfry  being  erected  over  the 
front  one,  the  top  of  which  is  sixty  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  height  of 
the  ceilings  on  both  floors  is  fourteen  feet.  The  rooms  have  a  seating  capacity  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  pupils.  The  building  was  erected  in  1873  by  Messrs.  Harker  &  Gose- 
lin,  the  former  of  Macomb,  and  the  latter  of  Tennessee,  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  Miss  Sarah 
Blazer,  of  Macomb,  is  the  present  principal,  with  Miss  Laura  Grafton,  of  Plymouth, 
assistant.  Directors — William  Cowan,  John  Myers  and  William  M.  Cook. 

BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL. 

Aiken,  J.  W..  physician  and  surgeon. 

Babcock,  Jeremiah,  proprietor  of  the  saw  mill. 

Cook,  William,  constable  and  auctioneer. 

Cracraft,  Richard,  blacksmith. 

Daugherty,  John,  boot  and  shoe  maker. 

Dull,  Mrs.,  proprietor  Liberty  House. 

Eaton,  J.,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  boots,  shoes,  etc. 

Ellis,  W.  D.,  restaurant. 

Green,  David,  flour  and  feed  store.  . 

Henry.  William,  Station  Agent  C.,  B.  and  Q.  R.  R. 

Houck,  William  B.,  blacksmith. 

Hendricks,  W.  S..  physician  and  surgeon. 

Lower,  J.  H.,  boot  and  shoe  maker  and  dealer. 

McKenzie,  Charles,  wagon  and  carriage  maker. 

McKenzie,  William,  postmaster,  undertaker  and  furniture  dealer. 

Nash,  G.  R.,  meat  market  and  restaurant. 

Owen  &  Bro.,  dealers  in  dry  goods,  groceries  and  notions. 

Rapelje,  H.  L.,  harness  maker  and  dealer  in  fancy  groceries. 

Thompson,  B.  F.,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware,  etc. 

Walker,  J.  V.,  dealer  in  clothing,  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes. 

White  &  WaddilJ,  restaurant  and  confectionery. 

CHURCHES  AND  SOCIETIES. 

Baptist  Church— Elder  W.  R.  Welch,  Pastor. 
Catholic  Church— Father  Touhey,  P.sstor. 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church— Rev.  T.  P.  Henry,  Pastor. 
Musons,  Odd  Fellows,  and  United  Workmen  Lodges. 

HILLSGROVE. 

This  place  was  laid  out  in  1871  by  A.  G.  Owens  and  L.  C.  Bacon.  It  lies  on  sections 
twenty-eight  and  twenty-nine,  Tennessee  township.  The  town  at  present  is  of  little 
importance,  but  the  surrounding  country  is  capable  of  supporting  a  considerable  village, 
and  no  doubt  Hillsgrove  will  be  a  live  little  town  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy 
Railroad  before  many  years. 

Dr.  Edward  H.  Campbell,  postmaster,  physician,  and  dealer  in  drugs  and  groceries.  C. 
Nelson,  blacksmith,  wagon  and  repair  shop. 

COLMAR. 

This  town  was  laid  out  in  the  early  part  of  1857  by  William  Graves.  The  plat  lies  in 
section  seven,  Lamoine  township,  and  west  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad,  which  runs  in  a 
northeasterly  and  southwesterly  course  through  this  part  of  the  county.  The  plat  is 
composed  of  eighty  lots,  50x125  feet,  in  blocks  of  ten  lots  each.  Lots  formerly  sold 
here  at  from  f  5  to  $20  a  piece.  At  one  time  considerable  life  was  manifested  and  several 
stores  sprang  up,  making  the  prospects  for  a  business  point  quite  flattering  ;  but  at 
present  but  little  of  any  kind  of  business  is  transacted.  The  location  is  rather  unfavora- 
ble for  a  town,  large  portions  of  the  surrounding  country  being  timber  land. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  number  of  car  loads  of  freight  shipped  from  Col- 
mar  for  each  year  during  the  past  five  :  Wheat,  5%  cars ;  corn,  2  cars ;  oats,  3  cars  ;  rye, 
3%  cars  ;  cattle,  26  cars  ;  hogs,  60  cars  ;  other  freight,  78  cars.  The  average  number  per 
year  received  for  the  same  time  are :  Lumber,  8  cars  :  agricultural  implements,  1-5  car  ; 
merchandise,  6  cars  ;  other  freight,  7  cars. 


087 


CHAPTER   XL VII. 

SCIOTA. 

This  town  was  laid  out  in  September,  1867,  by  William  B.  Clarke,  and.  in  honor  of  its 
founder,  was  named  Clarkesville,  but  there  being  another  town  in  the  State  by  the  same 
name,  the  post-office  established  there  was  called  Amicus.  Having  the  town  known  by 
one  name  and  the  postomce  by  another  was  not  satisfactory  to  the  people,  and  both  were 
changed  to  the  name  given  the  township,  Sciota,  so  nam3d  by  settlers  from  Ohio  who  in 
that  State  lived  near  a  stream  known  as  the  Sciota  river.  Notwithstanding  it  has  now 
been  some  years  since  the  name  Sciota  was  adopted,  the  town  is  more  familiarly  known 
and  often  called  by  its  former  name — Clarkesville.  It  is  a  bustling  little  town,  situated 
on  the  T.,  P.  &  W.  Railroad,  about  ten  miles  north  of  Macomb,  and  six  miles  east  of 
Blandinsville,  having  a  population  of  not  less  than  three  hundred  souls.  It  is  entirely 
surrounded  by  prairie,  which  extends  north  for  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  and  south 
about  one  mile  to  a  small  body  of  timber  land.  Ten  years  ago,  Mr.  Clarke  was  farming 
upon  the  present  site  of  the  town,  and  eleven  years  previous  he  purchased  the  quarter 
on  which  it  lies  for  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  first  plat  of  the  town  made 
by  Mr.  Clarke  only  contained  twenty -four  lots,  60x170  feet,  but  since  that  time  he  has 
made  two  additions,  and  Mr.  George  Hauser  has  added  one.  Lots  first  sold  at  from  fifty 
to  seventy-five  dollars  each,  the  same  now  being  worth  from  seventy-five  to  one  hundred 
dollars. 

The  first  store  building  erected  in  the  place  was  by  L.  King,  and  the  first  stock  of  mer- 
chandise of  any  kind  was  a  grocery  stock,  opened  by  William  H.  Franklin,  as  agent  for 
George  W.  Smith,  of  Macomb.  The  first  stock  of  general  merchandise  was  brought  in 
by  H.  Gillani.  The  first  postmaster  was  William  H.  Franklin. 

At  an  election  held  March  15,  1870,  a  vote  was  taken  for  or  against  incorporation  > 
which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  measure,  and  on  the  first  Monday  in  April  of  the 
same  year,  the  following  Trustees  were  elected :  John  W.  Tipton,  R.  N.  Henderson,  John 
Walsh,  J.  R.  Hunt  and  George  B.  Painter.  This  Board  met  on  the  first  of  May  and 
elected  John  W.  Tipton,  President,  and  R.  N.  Henderson,  Clerk.  From  want  of  interest 
and  the  opposition  against  incorporation,  no  further  election  was  held  until  the  spring 
of  1874,  when  the  following  named  gentlemen  were  elected  members  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  :  William  B.  Clarke,  M.  E.  Lavens,  John  R.  Seybold,  William  Trower,  and  J. 
Obemeyer.  In  1875  the  Board  was  composed  of  J.  Obemeyer,  J.  B.  Duncan,  E.  S. 
Agnew,  U.  T.  Douglas,  and  J.  Nelson.  In  1876,  the  following  were  the  elective  officers  : 
E.  R.  Brown,  J.  Obemeyer,  John  B.  Duncan,  U.  T.  Douglas,  and  William  B.  Clarke  • 
Elections  are  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  April  each  year.  The  present  treasurer  of  the 
town  is  J.  B.  Duncan ;  the  constable  is  William  A.  Smith.  For  the  past  twenty-four  years 
William  B.  Clarke  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  township. 


688  '  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Bev.  John  McGinnis  preached  the  first  discourse  in  the  town.  He  was  a  preacher  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Miss  Emma  Atkinson  taught  the  first  school  ever  held 
in  the  town.  The  place  of  preaching,  as  well  as  that  of  the  first  school,  was  in  what  is 
now  known  as  Odd  Fellow's  Hall. 

In  1872  a  good  school  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,200,  to  which  an  addition 
was  built  in  1875  at  an  additional  cost  of  $000.  The  building  now  has  two  large  com- 
fortable rooms,  and  two  teachers  are  employed  regularly  eight  months  in  the  year.  Mr. 
D.  A.  Herlocker  is  the  present  efficient  principal,  and  Miss  E.  Pritchard,  assistant.  The 
average  salary  paid  is  forty-five  dollars  per  month.  The  school  has  an  average  attend- 
ance of  seventy  scholars,  and  is  known  as  District  No.  10,  Sciota  township,  and  is  two 
miles  in  length,  north  and  south,  and  one  mile  in  breadth,  east  and  west.  The  present 
directors  are :  S.  M.  Hall,  Dr.  E.  Brown  and  J.  Obemeyer.  H.  G.  Boles  taught  the 
first  school  in  the  present  school  building. 

There  are  two  Church  buildings  in  the  town,  belonging  respectively  to  the  Christian 
and  Baptist  denominations,  the  first  being  erected  in  1869,  and  the  latter  in  1871. 

During  the  first  few  years  of  the  existence  of  the  town,  it  made  very  little  growth, 
but  for  two  years  past  it  has  been  very  prosperous,  notwithstanding  the  cry  of  hard 
times  heard  upon  every  hand.  The  town  is  the  largest  grain  market  in  McDonough 
county,  and  probably  in  this  part  of  the  State,  there  being  more  corn  and  oats  shipped 
from  here  than  any  station  known  to  us.  In  the  past  six  years  there  have  been  shipped 
per  year  an  average  of  415  cars  of  corn  and  74  of  oats,  the  largest  shipment  being  made 
in  1874-75  (the  latter  being  the  last  year  for  which  we  have  received  the  statement), 
which  aggregated  1217  cars,  or  about  190,000  bushels  per  year.  The  surrounding  coun- 
try is  one  vast  corn  and  oat  field  and  capable  of  producing  an  untold  amount  of  grain. 
In  town,  corn  pens  are  the  most  familiar  objects  on  which  the  eye  rests,  and  the  cobs  pro- 
duced when  the  corn  is  shelled  for  shipment  form  a  staple  article  of  fuel.  One  of  the 
iinest  and  best  arranged  elevators  in  the  county  was  completed  in  January,  1877,  which 
greatly  facilitates  the  handling  of  grain.  It  was  erected  by  Wills  Bros.,  of  Peoria,  and 
has  a  capacity  of  twelve  thousand  bushels. 

The  mercantile  trade  of  Sciota  is  better  than  is  usually  enjoyed  by  towns  of  its  size, 
and  her  business  men,  as  a  class,  are  live,  enterprising  men,  and  work  for  the  prosperity 
of  the  town.  Among  the  number  we  take  pleasure  in  referring  to  the  following  named 
firms: 

Obemeyer  &  Bro. — This  is  the  oldest  firm  in  the  town,  as  well  as  the  largest  one  in 
trade.  The  business  was  first  established  in  1868,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  it 
has  continued  to  grow,  until  now  the  trade  of  the  house  is  second  to  but  very  few  in  the 
county.  During  the  past  year  the  firm  erected  a  large  two-story  frame  building,  and 
have  the  main  store  room  crammed  full  of  general  merchandise,  including  dry  goods, 
notions,  boots,  shoes,  hats,  caps,  clothing,  etc.  They  take  pleasure  in  showing  their 
goods  and  are  never  undersold. 

J.  R.  Seybold. — This  gentleman  commenced  business  in  this  town  in  1870.  He  comes 
of  an  old  and  highly  respectable  family,  well  known  throughout  the  whole  county.  He 
carries  a  fine  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  glassware,  queens  ware,  hardware,  etc., 
and  proposes  to  sell  the  same  in  competition  with  any  living  man.  His  room  is  one  of 
the  largest  in  the  town,  and  his  stock  is  always  first  class  and  kept  full  and  complete 
and  up  with  the  times.  We  trust  his  success  will  at  all  times  equal  his  anticipations. 

Silas  A.  Webb. — This  gentleman  is  the  leading  druggist  of  the  place,  and  carries  a  fine 
line  of  all  articles  usually  found  in  a  well  regulated  drug  store,  including  staple  drugs, 
patent  medicines,  paints,  oils,  lamps,  etc.  Prescriptions  carefully  compounded,  and 
perfect  satisfaction  rendered  to  every  patron  of  the  house.  In  druggist's  sundries,  such 
as  nail  and  tooth  brushes,  fine  combs,  coarse  combs,  long  combs,  perfumery,  toilet  arti- 


689 

cles,  shaving  soap,  and  the  thousand  and  one  other  articles  usually  supplied  by  similar 
establishments,  the  assortment  will  be  found  complete.  Also,  school  and  miscellaneous 
books,  letter,  cap  and  note  paper,  pens,  inks,  etc.  Give  him  a  call. 

R.  L.  Shouse. — This  gentleman  came  to  Sciota  in  1870,  and  engaged  in  the  sale  of  a 
stock  of  general  merchandise,  a  part  of  which  he  soon  disposed  of,  and  now  confines 
himself  to  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  and  articles  usually  following  that  trade.  He  car- 
ries the  largest  stock  of  goods  in  his  line  of  trade  to  be  found  in  town,  and  a  stock  that 
will  compare  in  quantity  and  quality  with  many  in  more  pretentious  towns  than  Sciota. 
His  trade  is  now  large  and  constantly  increasing.  He  pays  the  highest  market  price  for 
all  kinds  of  country  produce,  and  asks  the  patronage  of  the  public. 

The  f ollowing  is  an  official  statement  of  the  average  number  per  year  of  car  loads  of 
freight  shipped  from  this  station  for  the  past  six  years  :  Wheat,  16;  corn,  415:  oats,  74. 
other  grain,  40;  cattle,  50:  hogs,  100;  other  freight,  13. 

BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL. 

Aleshire,  Peter,  Douglas  Street,  groceries  nnd  queensware. 

Blandin.  Charles,  near  depot,  meat  market. 

Brown,  E.,  Buell  Street,  physician,  and  dealer  in  drugs,  paints  and  oil. 

Douglass,  U.  T..  Clay  Street,  carpenter  and  builder. 

Duffy,  M.  V. ,  Buell  Street,  saddle  and  harness  shop. 

Hall,  David,  Douglas  Street,  meat  market. 

Henderson,  R.  N..  physician  and  surgeon. 

Long,  Joseph,  Fillmore  Street,  blacksmith. 

Murphy,  A.  G.,  physician  and  surgeon  ;  also  postmaster. 

Mills  <fc  Bro.,  elevator. 

Obemeyer  &  Bro.,  corner  Bueli  and  Douglas  Streets,  dry  goods  and  notions. 

Parker,  Dr.,  physician  and  surgeon. 

Prull.  George,  Buell  Street,  tinware  etc. 

Russell  A:  Co.,  Douglas  Street,  boot  and  shoe  maker. 

Seybold,  J.  R.,  Buell  Street,  groceries,  queensware  and  hardware. 

Chouse,  R.  L.,  corner  Douglas  and  Clay,  groceries  and  queensware. 

Strickler.  Sol.,  Fillmore  Street,  blacksmith. 

Tipton,  A.,  Douglas  Street,  groceries  and  queensware. 

fipion,  John.  Douglas  Street,  carpenter  and  builder. 

Webb,  Silas,  Douslas  Street,  drugs,  paints  and  oils. 

Wilson,  Robert,  Clay  Street,  blacksmith. 

CHUECHES. 

Baptist  and  Christian. 

SOCIETIES. 

Masons  and  Odd  Fellows. 

GOOD  HOPE. 

Taare  is  a  gansrous  rivalry  b3tw33n  the  variDus  towns  that  have  sprang  up  along  the 
lines  of  our  railroads,  which  have  been  of  great  advantage  to  each.  This  we  see  clearly 
exhibited  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  the  town  of  which  we  now  write. 

Scarcely  had  the  line  of  the  T.,  P.  &  W.  K.  R.  been  surveyed,  before  J.  E.  Morris  had 
platted  a  town  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  thirty-one,  Walnut  Grove  township^ 
seven  miles  due  north  of  Macomb,  to  which  was  given  the  name  of  Sheridan.  In  July 
following,  (1867),  W.  F.  Blandin  laid  off  a  few  blocks  a  little  to  the  west  of  the  proposed 
town  of  Sheridan,  and  christened  the  same  Milan.  Here  then  were  two  rival  towns  on 
opposite  sides,  and  only  separated  by  the  railroad.  A  postoffice  named  Good  Hhpe  had 
been  in  the  neighborhood  for  some  years,  and  the  different  names  by  which  the  town  or 
towns  were  called  were  a  little  amusing.  The  railroad  company  issued  its  first  tickets  to 
Sheridan,  and  train  men  called  out  Milan  as  the  cars  stopped,  but  all  letters  had  to  be 
addressed  to  Good  Hope.  This  state  of  affairs  continued  for  some  time,  until  finaDy 
both  names  of  the  town  were  dropped  and  the  name  of  the  postoffice  chosen  as  the  one 
by  which  it  should  be  known.  Since  this  time  two  or  three  additions  have  been  made  to 
the  original  surveys.  The  railroad  runs  due  east  and  west  through  the  town. 


690  HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY. 

Robert  Morrison,  it  is  said,  built  the  first  store  room,  on  the  old  Moninouth  road,  and 
kept  a  small  stock  of  confectioneries,  etc.  David  Jacobs  built  the  first  dwelling  house, 
and  Samuel  Lock  opened  the  first  stock  of  general  merchandise,  about  the  year  1866  or 
1867,  before  the  town  was  laid  out.  After  the  organization  of  the  town  the  first  post- 
master was  Jessie  McDowell.  As  stated  previously,  a  postoffice  had  been  in  the  neigh- 
borhood for  some  years,  D.  J.  Dungan  being  postmaster,  and  having  the  office  on  his 
farm,  one-fourth  mile  north  of  the  present  town. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem  we  cannot  learn  the  precise  time  in  which  the  town  was  incor- 
porated, the  books  being  lost  or  misplaced,  and  no  one  able  to  give  definite  information  ; 
but  enough  is  known  to  state  that  it  was  incorporated  in  1869,  with  the  following  named 
gentlemen  its  first  Board  of  Trustees  :  J.  E.  Morris,  Riley  Adams,  Joseph  Whaler,  H.  B. 
Baker  and  C.  H.  Creel.  Again,  in  1875,  it  was  incorporated  under  the  general  law  crea- 
ting villages,  and  on  the  first  day  of  June,  in  that  year,  D.  Jacobus,  H.  A.  Allison,  A. 
Munger,  C.  Elliot,  E.  K.  Hamaford  and  N.  A.  Walker  were  elected  Trustees.  In  1876,  D. 
Jacobus,  A.  Munger,  I.  N.  Rouse,  William  Parkins,  S.  White  and  H.  A.  Allison  were  elect- 
ed. J.  P.  Higgins  was  the  first  magistrate  of  the  town,  and  has  been  succeeded  by  the 
following  named  gentlemen  :  Silas  E.  Ratikin,  Jamos  R.  Campbell,  Samuel  Morris,  and 
C.  H.  Creel,  the  present  incumbent. 

The  town  grew  quite  rapidly  for  the  first  two  years,  after  which,  no  material  improve- 
ment was  made  until  the  year  1875,  whan  new  life  was  infused  into  every  department 
of  industry,  new  business  blocks,  new  dwelling  houses  and  other  buildings  were  erect- 
ed throughout  the  town,  and  to-day,  we  find  it  one  of  the  neatest  young  towns  in  the  mil- 
itary tract,  with  three  good  churches  that  are  live  and  active,  with  a  good  school  taught 
by  worthy  and  efficient  teachers,  her  people  generally  moral  and  religious.  Probably 
no  more  pleasant  and  agreeable  place  can  be  found  to  make  a  home  than  here.  Sur- 
rounding the  town  is  an  excellent  farming  community  with  some  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  county. 

In  the  history  of  the  place,  there  has  been  but  one  saloon,  which  was  run  during  the 
first  year  of  its  existence,  since  which  time  it  has  been  free  of  all  such  evil  influences. 

The  first  sermon  preached  in  the  town  was  by  Rev.  Pickering,  a  Baptist  minister,  in  a 
building  erected  by  Stephen  Smith,  on  the  west  side  square.  There  are  now  in  the  place 
three  church  organizations,  each  having  good,  comfortable  buildings,  as  follows :  Pres- 
byterian, Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  Methodist. 

During  the  past  five  years  there  have  annually  been  shipped  an  average  of  21  cars  wheat ; 
corn,  267  ;  oats,  62  ;  other  grain,  32  ;  flour,  1 :  cattle,  71  ;  hogs,  102 ;  merchandise,  26 ; 
other  freights,  7. 

There  are  a  number  of  live  merchants  in  the  town,  among  whom  we  may  mention  the 
following  named  firms : 

Allis-.m  Bros. — These  gentlemen  carry  the  largest  stock  of  general  merchandise  of  any 
firm  in  the  town,  and  occupy  a  large  and  pleasant  room  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
square.  Their  stock  is  well  assorted  in  every  respect,  and  comprises  staple  and  fancy 
dry  goods;  notions,  ready-made  clothing,  gents'  furnishing  goods,  boots,  shoes,  staple  and 
fancy  groceries,  etc.,  etc.  They  also  engage  somewhat  extensively  in  buying  and  shipping 
live  stock.  Being  pleasant  and  accommodating  young  men,  they  are  worthy  the  patron- 
age of  all. 

W.  H.  Collins. — This  gentleman  has  lately  erected  a  building  on  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  square,  especially  adapted  to  his  trade — that  of  harness  and  saddlery,  and  he  de- 
signs always  to  keep  [on  exhibition  a  full  and  complete  line  of  single  and  double  har- 
ness, collars,  bridles,  whips,  saddles,  etc.  Mr.  Collins'  large  experience,  together  with  the 
gentlemanly  and  accommodating  manner  of  treating  his  customers  will  surely  win  for 
him  success.  An  easy  fitting  saddle,  a  strong  and  durable  harness,  is  what  all  desire  who 
ride  or  drive,  and  Mr.  Collins  can  furnish  the  same. 


HISTORY  OF  M'DONOUGH  COUNTY.  691 

E.  White. — One  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Good  Hope,  and  one  who  by  his 
straightforward,  gentlemanly  dealing,  has  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all,  is  he  of 
whom  we  now  write.  His  store  room  is  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  square,  is  well 
fitted  up  and  well  filled  with  a  good  selected  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  glass- 
ware, willow-ware,  farmers'  and  mechanics'  tools,  etc.  Mr.  "White  well  understands  his 
trade,  knows  the  kind  of  goods  to  buy,  and  knows  how  to  buy  that  he  may  sell  cheap. 

Collins  &  Hannaford. — This  is  one  of  the  leading  firms  of  the  town,  and  carries  one 
of  the  largest  and  best  stocks  of  lumber  in  the  county.  Coming  to  the  town  in  1869, 
and  establishing  themselvas  in  this  branch  of  trade,  by  their  straightforward,  business- 
like manner  built  up  a  trade  that  would  be  a  credit  to  older  and  larger  establishments  in 
the  larger  towns  of  the  county.  In  their  yard  may  be  found  a  large  stock  of  lumber, 
lath,  sash,  doors,  shingles,  posts,  lime  hair,  cement,  pumps,  <fcc.,  <fec. 

/.  &.  Wii.Uin. — This  gentleman  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  has  proven  him- 
self worthy  the  confidence  of  the  citizens  of  Good  Hope,  as  well  as  the  people  in  its 
vicinity.  His  pleasant  and  social  manners  have  not  only  secured  him  trade,  but  made 
him  very  many  warm  friends.  He  carries  a  full  line  of  drugs,  patent  medicines,  paints, 
oils,  dye  stuffs,  school  and  miscellaneous  books,  wall  paper,  window  shades,  etc.  His 
store  is  located  on  the  east  side  of  the  square. 

The  following  comprises  a  full  aud  complete  business  directory  of  the  town  : 

BUSINESS   AND  PROFESSIONAL. 

Allison  &  Bro.,  southeast  corner  Square,  dry  goods  and  groceries. 

Bugg  &  Bros.,  dry  goods  and  notions. 

Byron,  F.,  east  side  Square,  boot  and  shoe  maker. 

Campbell,  David,  east  side  square,  agricultural  implements. 

Campbell,  E..,  east  side  Square,  postmaster. 

Collins,  W.  H..  southeast  corner  Square,  saddles  and  harness. 

Goodman,  J.  A.,  south  side  Square,  blacksmith. 

Long,  C.,  groceries  and  provisions. 

Morris,  R.  A.,  northeast  cornerSquare,  agricultural  implements. 

Plott,  W.  L.,  saddle  and  harness. 

Rouse's  Hall,  southeast  cornerSquare. 

Buttle,  P.  K.,  confectionery  and  restaurant. 

Swinn,  Mrs.,  north  side  Square,  millinery  and  dress  making. 

White,  S.,  southeast  corner  Square,  groceries  and  provisions. 

CHURCHES. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian.  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Episcopal. 

ADAIK. 

Adair  was  laid  out  by  J.  Grimm  and  J.  Reedy  in  1870.  It  is  located  on  the  north  half 
of  section  15,  New  Salem  township,  and  on  the  line  of  the  St.  Louis,  Rock  Island  &  Chi- 
cago Railroad.  The  name  of  the  railroad  station  and  postoffice  is  Adair,  but  that  of  the 
town,  Reedyville,  by  which  name,  however,  it  is  scarcely  known. 

Adair  is  located  in  the  midst  of  the  finest  and  wealthiest  farming  communities  in  Mc- 
Donough  County,  the  farms  surrounding  ranking  with  any  in  Central  Illinois,  for  stock 
and  grain  purposes.  A  town  thus  situated,  cannot  well  help  being  of  considerable  local 
importance.  The  amount  of  stock  and  grain  shipped  from  this  point  is  rapidly  assuming 
a  good  magnitude,  averaging  about  twenty-five  cars  of  stock  and  twenty  of  grain  per 
month,  besides  a  fair  amount  of  local  traffic  and  miscellaneous  merchandise. 

The  first  business  house  and  dwelling  was  erected  by  Robert  S  trickier,  on  the  wes^ 
side  of  the  railroad.  The  town  now  has  a  goodly  number  of  each,  and  such  structure  * 
as  are  very  commendable  to  the  people.  The  business  men  of  the  place  are  enterprising, 
and  stand  well  with  the  community.  The  population  of  the  town  is  now  one  hundred. 


BUSINESS   AND  PROFESSIONAL. 


Baker,  J.,  physician  and  surgeon. 
Bennett,  J.,  general  merchandise. 
El  well  <fc  Harrison,  blacksmiths. 


Epperson,  J.  L. ,  Station  Agent,  St.  Louis  Division  C  ,  B.  and  Q.  R.  R. 

Chapman,  Orson,  carpenter  and  builder. 

Miner,  A.  J.,  postmaster,  and  dealer  in  general  merchandise. 

Ly barker,  L.  W.,  billiard  hall  and  restaurant. 

Montague,  Charles,  boot  and  shoe  maker. 

Pontious  Bros.,  drugs  and  hardware. 

West,  Kaiser  &  Co.,  grain  dealers. 

Wissler,  J.,  lumber  dealer. 

CHURCH. 
Methodist  Episcopal. 

NEW    PHILADELPHIA. 

New  Philadelphia  is  located  on  the  east  half  of  section  twenty-three,  Mound  township, 
OH  a  rather  flat  plain  or  low  land.  It  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Toledo,  Peoria  and 
Warsaw  railroad,  four  miles  south  of  Bushnell,  and  in  a  valuable  farming  district,  capa- 
ble of  supporting  a  town  of  considerable  size. 

The  south  part  of  the  town  was  laid  out  by  Mr.  Lloyd  Thomas,  in  1857,  when  the  rail- 
road was  first  surveyed,  and  named,  by  him,  New  Philadelphia,  When  the  railroad  was 
run  one-half  mile  north  of  the  first  survey,  Mr.  P.  Wilson  and  J.  H.  Langford  laid  out  a 
town  and  gave  it  the  name  of  Grant — this  in  the  year  1866.  The  town  at  present  con- 
tians  about  eighty  inhabitants. 

WALNUT  GROVE. 

This  town  was  laid  out  by  William  J.  Edie,  County  Surveyor,  under  direction  of  D 
B.  Keith,  in  1870.  It  is  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  one,  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship, and  on  the  line  of  the  St.  Louis  division  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad.  The  sur- 
rounding country  is  thickly  settled  and  well  improved,  and  will  doubtless  afford  trade  suf- 
ficient to  sustain  quite  a  village.  The  following  is  a  business  directory :  Blacksmith. 
J.  B.  Keith;  Carpenter,  H.  Lynch;  Dry  Goods  and  Groceries,  Hendee  &  Russell;  Grocer- 
ies, A.  H.  Harringtion,  (also  Post  Master);  Physician,  J.  W.  Gustin,  (eclectic.) 

SCOTTSBURG. 

This  place  is  on  the  T.  P.  &  W.  Railroad,  four  and  one  half  miles  east  of  Good  Hope, 
in  Walnut  Grove  township.  No  regular  survey  has  ever  been  made,  or  plat  recorded, 
and  no  effort  ever  put  forth  to  make  the  place  one  of  special  importance.  Large  quan- 
tities of  fire  clay  are  hauled  here  from  David  Holler's  clay  banks,  on  Crooked  Creek,  for 
shipment  to  Peoria  and  elsewhere.  A  station  hous9.  post  office  and  two  or  three  dwell- 
ings are  all  that  it  contains. 


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